Why does data loss hurt so much?
If you’ve ever lost important files – say, an unsaved document, or worse still, an entire server database – then you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. The data loss It’s not just annoying; the loss of even a single important file can set an entire business back or even cause serious financial losses.
But why does this happen? Why do we think, „I’m sure I won’t lose any data”, and yet suddenly find ourselves facing significant data loss due to a system failure? That’s a good question! We can guarantee that, if you haven’t already, you’ll come across this problem in time.
And what are the most common causes of data loss? Here are a few good examples:
Physical causes:
Failure of a hard drive or other data storage device
Power cuts, power surges
Overheating, dusty or damp environments
Falls, knocks and physical injuries
Natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes)
Human error or misuse
Software-related causes:
Operating system or application crash
Viruses, malicious software (e.g. ransomware)
Hacker attacks
Accidental deletion, overwriting or formatting
Human factors:
Negligence, lack of professional knowledge
Inappropriate security settings
Lost or stolen data storage devices without encryption
Backing up is not optional – it is an essential step
Think of the backup system as a safety net that protects your data even if an unexpected error occurs during day-to-day operations. Not only can it ensure a rapid recovery in critical situations, but it can also help prevent such situations from arising in the first place, ensuring that your operations do not come to a standstill for any length of time.
A well-configured backup solution is an essential part of a company’s day-to-day operations, as every minute of downtime can result not only in a loss of time but also in significant financial losses.
A NIS2 Both the directive and the key information security regulations require regular, automatic data backups, which reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and other incidents, thereby ensuring business continuity. Therefore, backups are not merely recommended, but are a fundamental requirement for a stable and reliable IT system.
Regular backups = Peace of mind
Regular data backups are the key to ensuring that an IT manager can sleep soundly, knowing that they can restore the data at any time should the need arise.
The backup strategy is not a one-off process: it runs continuously, always capturing the most up-to-date data. Regular, scheduled backups therefore ensure that nothing important is lost, whether it is a matter of daily or long-term data storage.
This makes backing up not merely advisable, but essential for the reliable operation of the system.
Types of backup – Which one is right for your business?
Of course, it does matter which backup solution you choose. Off-site backups, cloud-based solutions and traditional on-site backups all have their own advantages.
Here are a few general examples of the kinds of things you’re most likely to think about:
Local save:
It is easily accessible, as the data is physically stored close by; however, if something were to happen on site — such as a fire or water damage — the data could be at risk.
Common solutions: Veeam Backup & Replication, CommVault Complete Backup & Recovery, Acronis Cyber Protect, Veritas NetBackup, Cobian Backup, custom scripts for NAS devices, SANs, NetApp storage and backup servers.
Off-site backup:
This category is still classified as local backup, but the data is stored at a physically separate location, which provides an additional layer of protection against potential local disasters.
Cloud-based backup:
This type is easily accessible from anywhere, updates automatically and can be accessed remotely; however, it requires a reliable internet connection to function continuously. It is also important to note that, depending on the volume of data and the frequency of backups, it can consume a significant amount of bandwidth, particularly if these are scheduled efficiently.
Common solutions: Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365, Veeam Cloud Backup, AWS Backup, Microsoft Azure Backup, Google Cloud Backup and DR, Commvault Complete Backup & Recovery, etc.
Hybrid solutions:
Naturally, for your most critical systems and data, the best solution is to store them redundantly in multiple locations. As backup services can also encounter problems (storage space, hardware failure, software errors, etc.), it is worth storing anything that is „business-critical” in multiple locations.
All of this, of course, must be done within a rational framework, as storing data in multiple locations can pose a risk due to external attacks, whilst storing and transferring massive amounts of data across multiple systems also entails significant additional costs.
Types of backup strategies (technical approach):
Full backup: We saved all the data at once – the simplest, most universal method. However, it is also the slowest solution.
Incremental backup: Only data that has changed since the last backup is saved; this is faster and requires less storage space.
Differential (partial) backup: It records all changes made since the last full backup, ensuring a faster recovery than an incremental backup.
- Synthetic full backup: This involves merging the first two options. Many software programmes are capable of merging Full and Incremental backups and storing them as a new full backup. This is significantly more efficient in terms of both time and storage space. You could say this is the „best of both worlds” solution.
Continuous Data Protection (CDP): All changes are saved immediately, with minimal risk of data loss. However, this requires a significant amount of storage space.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as every company has different requirements. To achieve the best results, it is worth combining several types of backup and storage locations so that the backup strategy always aligns with current business needs and provides optimal protection.
This approach is flexible, secure and effectively helps to safeguard the integrity of the business’s data in all circumstances.
Closing remarks: Data must be backed up – because once it’s lost, it can never be recovered
Data is one of the most valuable assets your company possesses. So much so that the saying „data is the new oil” has become a common metaphor. Whether it’s business plans, customer databases, contracts or invoices, everything that’s critical to your operations deserves to be backed up. Backing up and protecting data is no longer an optional extra, but a fundamental requirement.
Has today’s backup already run before the system updates? Here’s your daily reminder to check before it’s too late!
If you’re stuck at any stage or would like to discuss how to set up the right backup system for your business, please get in touch with us! Backups are essential, and we’ll help ensure that everything is safe and secure!
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