Most people know they should back up their data. Fewer have it set up properly. And very few have ever tested whether it can actually be restored. Backup itself isn't complicated, but it does need to be configured correctly and reviewed from time to time.

GNL Solutions advises on and helps set up backup arrangements for home users and small businesses. This includes configuring automated backups where appropriate and ensuring you understand how recovery would work if something failed.

What Good Backup Looks Like

A commonly recommended approach is the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy kept offsite. For many home users and small businesses, this may include:

  • A local backup like an external drive or NAS device for quicker file recovery
  • An offsite or cloud backup to protect against fire, theft, hardware failure or ransomware
  • Periodic checks to confirm backups are completing successfully and that restore procedures are understood

The right setup depends on how critical your data is and how quickly you would need to recover it.

What Can Be Protected

Backup planning should focus on what would genuinely cause disruption if lost. This often includes:

  • Documents, photos and personal files
  • Business data including accounts, client records and project files
  • Email data (Outlook PST files or hosted mailboxes, where required)
  • Full system images, allowing a Windows PC to be rebuilt more quickly
  • Server data and databases (where applicable)
  • Microsoft 365 data (OneDrive, Exchange, SharePoint), which may need additional protection depending on your requirements

Ransomware Considerations

Ransomware increasingly targets backup locations as well as primary data. A simple USB drive left permanently connected is not, on its own, resilient against this type of threat.

Reducing risk may involve using versioned backups, offsite copies, or storage options designed to prevent alteration once written. The exact approach depends on the level of protection required.

If you are unsure how your current backup would stand up to a ransomware incident, it is worth reviewing.

Disaster Recovery Planning

Backup and disaster recovery are related but not identical. Backup means having copies of data. Disaster recovery means understanding how long you would be offline if systems failed, and what steps would be taken to restore them.

For small businesses, even a few days offline can be costly. Clarifying your recovery expectations helps determine what level of backup is appropriate.

GNL Solutions can help you assess your current position, recommend suitable options, and assist with implementation. For clients on GNL Protect plans, backup guidance and configuration support can be included where appropriate.