The highly esteemed 3-2-1 rule for data backup remains a reliable method for ensuring the integrity of copied data that is critical to disaster recovery efforts. However, it must be done correctly. As the number of locations of where we store data grows, the basic concept of what is known as the 3-2-1 rule is frequently forgotten. This is a problem because the 3-2-1 rule is easily one of the most fundamental concepts for designing data protection. Peter Krogh, a photographer from the United States, invented the 3-2-1 Rule. This was a significant innovation for the photography world, with far-reaching implications in other technological disciplines that remain timeless to this day.
What is a 3-2-1 Backup Rule?
The 3-2-1 backup rule is an easy-to-remember acronym for a common strategy to secure the data in almost any failure scenario. The rule is to:
- keep at least three (3) copies of your data;
- keep two (2) backup copies on various storage media;
- keep one (1) of which should be located offsite.
Let’s go over each point of this rule in more detail:
- Maintain a minimum of three copies of your data – Even a minor event, such as a fire alarm activating the sprinkler system, could literally wipe away all your data. Numerous other incidents, such as theft, fire, or a disgruntled employee, could have the same result. Thus, having just one backup is insufficient, especially if it is stored in the same location and on the same type of media as the primary data. Obviously, the more backup copies you have, the less likely it is that you will lose them. As a result, the 3-2-1 backup rule outlines that you must have at least three copies of your data, namely the primary data and two backups of this data.
- Keep two backup copies on different devices or storage media – We must keep in mind that any storage device will fail at some point. Hard drives fail over time, whether due to a flaw or simply wear and tear. Two devices of the same type are much more likely to fail at the same time than two devices of different types of storage media. The 3-2-1 backup rule states that if you keep your primary data on an internal hard drive, you should store backup copies in a different location, such as an external hard drive, optical disks, digital tape, or the cloud.
- Maintain at least one backup copy offsite – Having an on-site backup is a good start, but having an off-site backup is essential for a comprehensive backup strategy. On-site backups are great if you need to access them quickly, but having a backup near the device being backed up (for example, having a desktop PC and an external hard drive on the same desk) means that both of those copies are vulnerable to data loss. Flooding, fires, and theft are all possibilities that may occur on a regular basis. Generally, if the two devices you have as local copies are close in proximity, then they will both be affected if the unthinkable happens. A consistently updated copy of your data off-site is critical to the security of your files.
The 3-2-1 backup rule is best practice because it ensures that you will always have a secure and reliable copy of your data. You can avoid losing the only copy of your information by making multiple copies and storing your data at several locations. This guarantees that there isn’t a single point of failure, and your data is secure from disasters such as fires and floods. We need to be able to control our data now more than ever to ensure its security and the ability to recover our information.
Please visit Expert IT Solutions for more information on backup methods that are suitable for you.
