Backup

The crucial importance of reliable data backup: protect yourself from unpleasant surprises!

In today’s digital world, data lies at the heart of business operations. Whether emails, documents, databases or other sensitive information, losing this data can have disastrous consequences, both financially and for a company’s reputation.

Published on October 9, 20245 min read

Illustration of reliable business data backup

Key takeaways

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace ensure data availability, not true long-term backup.
Backups that are never tested may turn out to be incomplete, corrupted or non-existent when you need to restore.
All sensitive data must be included, with retention suited to your version history needs.
Poor backup management exposes you to financial losses, reputational damage and regulatory non-compliance.

Yet many organisations continue to underestimate the importance of an effective backup solution suited to their needs.

Four common backup mistakes

Believing that Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace back up everything

Never checking that backups actually work

Forgetting some sensitive data

A poorly adapted retention period

The myth of automatic backups with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace

One of the most common mistakes is assuming that popular services such as Microsoft 365 (Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint) or Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive) automatically include complete, reliable backup solutions. In reality, although these cloud services are robust and offer features for recovering deleted files or messages, they do not guarantee full protection against long-term data loss.

These platforms focus on data availability, not on true backup. For example, if a user deletes important files or data is lost as a result of a cyberattack (such as ransomware), it is often impossible to restore it beyond a certain period. Only a dedicated backup solution can provide this long-term protection, ensuring data can be recovered even after accidental deletion or modification.

Monitoring backups: an all too often neglected issue

Another common mistake is assuming backups run automatically without ever checking that they work properly. In many companies, a backup policy was put in place long ago, but nobody takes the time to make sure backups are actually performed, complete and usable.

When disaster strikes – hardware failure, cyberattack, human error or natural disaster – and the company tries to restore its data, that is often when it discovers backups that are incomplete, corrupted or simply non-existent. Failing to test your backups regularly can lead to irrecoverable losses that a simple periodic check could have prevented.

Backups, but not for all sensitive data

Another critical situation is that of companies that do have a backup solution, but one that does not include all the sensitive data essential to their business. This may stem from poor configuration or a lack of understanding of the company’s needs. For example, certain departments or specific projects may be excluded from backups without anyone noticing.

Realising, often too late, that a critical file was not backed up can lead to significant data loss, or even threaten the survival of the business. It is essential to review regularly which data is being backed up and to make sure all strategic and sensitive information is covered.

Backup retention: a frequently misconfigured setting

Finally, a crucial aspect of backup that many companies overlook is data retention management. Retention is the length of time backed-up data is kept. In some cases, companies opt for retention that is too short, thereby deleting data they may need in the long term.

In addition, frequently modified data or information that requires a history (such as long-term projects, legal documents, etc.) may not be backed up often enough. Adapting retention to the volume of changes and the need for version history is essential to ensure the right data is available when it is needed.

The consequences of poor backup management

When disaster strikes without a reliable backup solution, or with poorly configured backups, the consequences can be dramatic:

Significant financial losses due to business interruption.
Damage to the company’s reputation, especially if sensitive data or customer information is lost.
Regulatory non-compliance, particularly in sectors where data backup and retention are strictly regulated, such as finance or healthcare.

Protect your business with WeDoBack: backup tailored to your needs

At WeDoBack, we understand that every business is unique and requires a tailored backup solution. We offer complete, secure backup, including:

Dedicated solutions for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, ensuring genuine protection for your emails, documents and other cloud data.
Regular testing of your backups to ensure they are reliable and complete.
Coverage of all your sensitive data, with flexible configurations to include all your critical systems and departments.
Customised backup retention management, adapted to your needs for changes, version history and long-term retention.

With WeDoBack, you can have peace of mind, knowing your data is protected in all circumstances, whether against human error, cyberattacks or major disasters.

In summary

A good backup solution is much more than a simple way to recover deleted files. It must be comprehensive, regularly tested and suited to the nature of your data and your version history needs. Don’t let unpleasant surprises catch you off guard: choose a reliable backup solution and protect your business against irreversible losses.

Protect your data with WeDoBack

Encrypted offsite backup, immutable storage, DRP and BCP: tell us about your servers and we will recommend the right combination.

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