Don’t be an April Fool. Protect your data on World Backup Day 2022
In this digital age, many of us generate large amounts of data in our professional and personal lives. With such a big portion of our lives stored digitally, what would happen if we lost some or all that data? Could a small business continue to function? What if it suddenly lost access to its data due to a clerical error or a cyber security incident? If you are a small or medium sized business, a data disaster could spell the end for your company. Fact of the matter is, we rely on digital data more than we realise. And that is why it is so important to protect your data.
World Backup Day 2022
On World Backup Day, we are playing our role in creating awareness of data integrity and automatic backup.
We’re highlighting the need for a proper backup plan that includes regular testing of data restores.
Already have a backup procedure in place?
One should also check (and then recheck) backup restores on World Backup Day to see if they actually work.
After all, a backup plan that doesn't work isn't much of a backup plan.
Don’t have a backup plan?
If you don’t, consider a plan to protect your data.
About World Backup Day
World Backup Day was purposely chosen to be the day before 1st April (April Fools Day) to deliver the important message that we each have a role to play in backing up data, files, pictures, spreadsheets, communications & financial documents before it's too late.
Key points about protecting your data
- Items to backup: Business data, documents and files, operating system backup/servers, mailboxes, Sharepoint sites, websites, databases, OneDrive, shared documents, financial documents, computer, laptop, phone, iPad, tablet, other wireless devices, photos and videos, including those on social networks.
- Common ways to lose data: Theft, hardware failure, natural disaster, cyber security incident, administrative or human errors, account deletion, obsolete file formats or you simply forgot where you saved it…
- Backup options: Backing up is easy. Once set up, your data should be backing up automatically. There are two main types of backup solutions:
- Local backup: An external hard drive that can be easily retrieved.
- Cloud/offsite backup: An online backup service or hard drive securely placed in a different location.
Having both local and offsite backups offers peace of mind knowing your files are safe and secure.
- If you are working in a business:
- Tell your managers & colleagues about the importance of data backups.
- Check your backup procedures & restores to make sure everything is up-to-date and working.
- If don’t have one, consider creating a company data backup & continuity plan.
Protecting Business Data in the Post-COVID World
The post-COVID world of work is looking hybrid
As the Omicron COVID strain sweeps the globe, the return to work in 2022 has been hampered by uncertainty.
Based on the current situation, it may be hard to imagine a life after COVID-19. However, knowledge workers have already voiced what they want their work lives to look like post-COVID.
Results of a national survey of Australian knowledge workers conducted last year unveil some key insights about their preferences for work post-COVID. Understanding these insights might inform decisions around working arrangements as we edge cautiously into a new year and closer to a post-COVID world.
The survey, conducted by the Centre for the New Workforce at Swinburne University of Technology, shows almost every worker surveyed prefers some form of flexible work arrangement post-COVID.
While the number of days workers wanted to work in the office varied, all want to work flexibly post-COVID.
• Flexible workers prefer to split their time evenly between home and office.
• Home-based workers prefer 1.5 days per week in the office.
• Office-based workers want 3.7 days in the office.
Work-life balance is paramount to these workers and 43% would consider leaving an employer that does not offer flexible working.
Hybrid: The best of both worlds
This article highlights the benefits of remote working for individual productivity and work-life balance. While the office is “where workers get to connect, collaborate, create and learn”.
With advantages arising from the combination of both for much professional knowledge-based work, the future of work is looking increasingly hybrid.
This is an important insight for many businesses, particularly how to continue supporting employees, through culture, process, infrastructure and technology, while mitigating the risks that may arise as a result of remote working.
Protecting business data
Amongst a range of paid and free productivity apps, Microsoft 365 is original and some may consider the best cloud-based suite of apps. Chosen by businesses and commonly used among remote workers, its popularity is due to its innovative new features and comprehensiveness in addressing most essential office needs. However, its widespread use means the platform is more often targeted by cyber criminals.
Understanding why a business needs backup isn't enough. To combat the ever-present risks of data loss and cyber threats, protecting Microsoft 365 data should be a critical consideration of a businesses’ continuity plan.
Protecting Microsoft 365 data and making it available for restore (if the worst should happen) prevents business data loss. This limits any impact to collaborations or business operations - regardless of where employees choose to work. Importantly, businesses will be able to preserve the agility and productivity gains of hybrid working, as we learn to live with COVID-19.
Backup365 are iAwards finalist for NSW start-up of the year
NSW iAwards Finalist and Merit Award Winner
The team at Backup365 is proud to have been a finalist in the Start Up category and a Merit Winner at this year’s NSW iAwards held in June.
The yearly iAwards celebrates the ICT industry’s contribution to our economy and the importance of technology innovation to Australia’s international competitiveness
The ceremony was held virtually, but it didn’t stop the team from dressing up in formal regalia (as you can see!) to celebrate both the event and the win.
Backup365 is the only Microsoft 365 cloud backup service completely developed, owned and operated in Australia, with all customer data securely held in Australian data centres.
The rapidly installed solution protects every user’s generated cloud data, resolving cloud data loss risks facing every organisation using Microsoft 365 and other cloud applications.
“There was tough competition out there and this augurs well for the Australian IT market,” says Andrew Johnson, CEO of Backup365. “Today, we have 150 managed service providers across Australia delivering peace of mind to thousands of Australian businesses and we’re looking to make inroads into NZ, APAC and then Europe!”
Big thanks to the Backup365 team for pulling this all together.
July 2021