This depends on what data is essential for operations, legal requirements, and business continuity. Ask yourself this question; “If we were to lose this data today, how would that impact the business?”. Keep in mind that there are many ways to lose data, and it’s usually when you least expect it.

Businesses should back up the following data:

Customer Data

This includes customer names, contact information, purchase histories, and other personal details. Losing this data can result in a loss of trust and credibility, as well as potential legal action. Backing up this data regularly can help prevent these consequences.

Employee Data

Your employee data is also important to back up. This includes employee names, contact information, employment records, and other sensitive information. Losing this data can lead to legal issues and a loss of productivity.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights are crucial assets for any business. Losing this data can result in serious consequences like legal disputes and a significant loss of revenue.

Financial Data

One of the most important types of data that your business should back up is financial data. This includes data related to your revenue, expenses, taxes, and other financial transactions. Loss of financial data can lead to serious consequences like audits, fines, and a damaged reputation. It’s crucial to back up financial data regularly to multiple secure locations.

Operational Data

Operational data such as inventory records, production schedules, and supply chain information are essential for the day-to-day operations of your business. Operational data is critical for meeting deadlines and the continuity of business operations. Backing up this data regularly can help ensure that your business operates smoothly.

Practice the 3-2-1 backup rule

The 3-2-1 backup strategy is when 3 copies of the data are made. The copies are stored on 2 different types of storage media, and 1 copy is stored off-site (in the cloud).

Now that you know what data businesses should back up, you are one step closer to an effective backup strategy. If you’re still not convinced, then you need to know 5 reasons why your business needs cloud backup.