What is backup?

Backup is a backup of data that is stored separately to protect against data loss, system failure or cyberattacks. It ensures that files, systems and applications can be restored quickly if something goes wrong, minimising operational losses and increasing data security. 

Backup is a childhood lesson in the age of digitalisation

Most organisations today hold large amounts of business-critical data. There's nothing new in that. In the old days, that data was hidden in hundreds of binders somewhere in the organisation. Now it resides digitally - on a server locally or somewhere in the cloud.

Digitalisation makes companies more streamlined and efficient, but it also places great demands on data backup. If you don't protect your data digitally, you could end up with your hair in the mailbox. Or worse: With a bleeding bottom line and fleeing customers.

In which situations is backup (especially) critical?

• Cyberattacks, ransomware and viruses

  There are many IT security threats out there. Hackers are getting more skilful and breaches in IT security are becoming more and more fatal - both in terms of revenue and reputation.

• Human error

  You can and should do a lot to educate your employees on how to deal with cyber threats. But humans will never be infallible and mistakes will always happen. One click on the wrong email. That's all it takes to bring your business down.

• Physical damage to your IT equipment

  In Denmark, we are fortunately spared the worst natural disasters, but it's hard to guard against physical breakdowns in the form of water damage, fire and so on. While not commonplace, it's a risk nonetheless.

Facts about cyberattacks and data loss

• 23% of all recipients open phishing emails

• The number of reported hacker attacks has increased by over 300% since 2010

• In 60% of cases, hackers can gain access to company systems within minutes.

• Cybercrime costs a Danish company an average of DKK 900,000 per year.

Backup in practice: Get our top tips

It's one thing to have the right backup solutions available, it's another to work correctly with backup in everyday life. It may sound strange coming from an IT supplier, but it's not always more IT or more measures that are the answer. It's often a matter of working more systematically with the solutions you have available today.

Have you ever heard of the 3-2-1 rule?

It's the rule of thumb we recommend our customers follow when it comes to backup. In its simplicity, the rule goes like this: Always have 3 copies of your backup on 2 different media and store 1 of the copies in a different location.

Also remember to back up data in Office 365

The answer is both yes and no. But mostly no. Office 365 works with the concept of retention, which means that files are saved and can be restored up to 30 days after they have been deleted. This is fine in itself, but in many situations, the 30 days will have passed by the time you realise the error. It could be an employee accidentally deleting crucial data. Or a hacker attack that deletes or encrypts data.

So you shouldn't rely 100% on Microsoft 365 having your back. To that end, there are various backup solutions that can help you. We recommend and provide our customers with access to Keepit, which is created specifically to secure Office 365 data.

Backup and cloud - what are the benefits?

Many organisations combine different solutions to meet their backup needs - in different server environments in-house and externally. But there are advantages to consolidating your entire backup solution in the cloud.

• Lower costs

  It's wrong to conclude that a cloud solution is necessarily cheaper than other types of solutions. But the cloud allows you to save on physical data centre costs and buy exactly the amount of data space you need. Basically, this means you can spend your money more wisely. Get more for your money. Plus, you can quickly scale up and down as your needs either decrease or increase.

• No downtime

  If disaster strikes, it's crucial to get back up and running quickly. This is where the cloud offers a big advantage, as it equals no downtime. As in none at all.

• All data in one place

  With a cloud backup solution, you have all your data in one place. This means fewer misunderstandings between colleagues and more efficient processes. No one works on different documents in parallel.

Backup in-house or out on the road?

Don't want to worry about backing up your data? Then get a professional partner to take care of it. When you outsource your backup to a company that specialises in IT, it comes with a number of benefits. Besides increased security and the fact that you've moved a task off your to-do list, you also get lower operating costs:

• No investment in your own expensive backup server, tape drive and tape

• No costs for server and backup software/licences

• No backup maintenance costs

• One fixed monthly cost - depending on the amount of storage space required

• Save the hours that the company's IT manager or external IT supplier would otherwise spend on service/maintenance

• No major internet costs as the system supports differential file backup

We believe there are good reasons to have a professional IT service provider take care of your backup solution. And we believe that we are the right ones to take on this task.