Reviewed and updated 20 October 2026.
A useful business backup plan defines what is protected, who monitors it and how recovery will be tested. Ever had that sinking feeling you’ve lost an important file, or the report you’ve spent all day working on? Without backing up your files and folders, your business and your customers’ data can be lost forever, as well as making your recovery after a cyber attack a lot more tricky. So how can you make sure your data is copied and safely stored for the foreseeable future?
Why is backing up your data important?
In a post GDPR world, backing up your data is more than just common sense, it can be the difference between your organisation surviving a cyber attack or not. You’re probably aware by now that the repercussions of data loss can be enormous. No matter how established you are, or how stellar your organisation’s customer reputation is, if your data falls into the wrong hands it can be game over for your business. Backups can support recovery after data loss, but they do not prevent theft or disclosure of information. Making sure you have the information you need to get your infrastructure up and running after a data breach, a tested backup gives you a defined recovery option. Check that the copies are accessible to authorised recovery staff and protected from an attacker.
If you’re interested in learning more about the types of digital threats your business is up against, take a look at our blog post on avoiding cyber attacks.
1. Prevention, not Cure: Encrypting your Files and Folders
Effectively hiding your information in plain sight, encryption is a crucial element of not only your back up process, but your wider data security plan too. Whether it’s your work phone or desktop computer you’re backing up, encryption adds another level of security to the process, ensuring that even if your back up solution comes under attack, your data cannot be accessed without a fight.
2. Cloud Storage: Scalable Security
Not only is the cloud an easily accessible solution to your infrastructure needs, it’s one of the most efficient methods of backing up your data. Agree which backup and security responsibilities sit with your provider and which remain with your business. Cloud storage alone does not establish backup coverage. Additionally, backing up your data within the cloud can offer broader protection; coverage depends on the workloads, devices and accounts included in the configured backup policy.
3. Consistent Monitoring: Regular Back Ups
Backing up your data shouldn’t be a task you put to the back of your mind, it should be a regular element of your working week. We all know how time consuming data back ups can be; it’s a lot easier to ignore the pop ups when you’ve got a busy week and a long to do list. However, encouraging your team to being regularly backing up their files and folder can make all the difference in the case of a data breach hitting your systems.
4. Offsite Copies: Data in a Physical Format
Keeping hold of your most important files and folders in a localised, or offsite, format might seem a little old school, but an appropriately protected separate copy can provide another recovery option if the primary environment is unavailable. Physically backing up your data in a secure location gives you the peace of mind that your data storage isn’t confined to a single place.
5. Layered Security: Implementing Disaster Recovery
A strong back up solution and disaster recovery program go hand in hand. While backing up your data stores a copy of your files within a separate location, disaster recovery also defines recovery priorities, dependencies, access, responsibilities and validation. Replication may be part of the design, but is not the entire plan. Take a look at our blog pages to find out more about the benefits of a comprehensive disaster recovery solution alongside backing up your data.
Review your backup scope, protection, monitoring and restore results with CIS. Our business backup and disaster recovery service starts with your critical systems and recovery requirements.
