Offsite backup

A current, complete and tested backup of any system is a basic requirement. Modern servers have great redundancy features built in (dual PSUs, multiple hard drives, multiple CPUs and so on), which means they are generally extremely reliable and easily repaired without even having to switch them off.

Malware can cause problems on a network – but as long as you have good anti-virus software you should be ok. But that’s only should.

Malware can cause irreparable damage to a system: ransomware would leave documents inaccessible even if it could be removed.

Software updates can go wrong (Microsoft wiped users’ data with one of their updates) and leave systems unusable or inaccessible.

People can delete things that they don’t think are needed any longer, only to discover later that it was important and irreplaceable information.

Or, you could be unlucky and suffer a lightning strike, and lose your server. Or a fire. Or a theft. Or a flood.

For all of these reasons, a backup is maintained. However, if this backup is stored in the same location as the system, it is vulnerable to the same risks. Backups should always be stored offsite for this reason. Increasingly, this means in the cloud, but if an organisation uses hard drive backup or tape backup, then these drives or tapes are stored in a secure location, away from the primary site.