Processes, schedules, and tests to ensure you don’t lose anything.
Overview
This completes the trifecta. You have data, on storage. Now you need to ensure that you don’t lose it.
The 3-2-1 backup strategy is acknowledged as the way to do it. Three copies of your data, on two different media, one copy offsite.
When choosing what to back up, we recommend thinking in terms of the data you defined in 14.22.
For example, Johnny doesn’t constantly back up his entire laptop. He focuses on particular data blocks, like the precious D85 folder – one copy of which is on the laptop.
The Airtable database mentioned in 14.22 summarises what, where, and how often our data blocks are backed up. Keep your records in whatever way works for you.
Remember to note any configuration details you’ve chosen in your backup service. And if you have sensitive stuff, like customer data, that should also be encrypted.
Examples
Descriptions of what backup services you use, such as Time Machine, Backblaze, or Arq; notes on what data is backed up by which service; a summary of backup jobs, including the schedule.
Also see
Remember to include a printed copy of your data recovery instructions in 11.23. Printed because you might not be able to access your computer in an emergency (e.g. due to damage, theft, or ransomware). Do not put passwords in these printouts, they never leave your password manager.
Links
- The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy.
- A blog post Johnny wrote on this subject.
- World Backup Day.
- Advice on how to export data from Gmail, Xero, Instagram, Gmail, Outlook, and iCloud.