You probably think you understand data protection. But, in reality, many people hold common misconceptions about data protection.
These myths are often based on the assumption that the best way to protect your data is to buy a new computer. Moreover, others install a new program.
These myths can also lead you to believe that you’ve backed up your data. But the truth is, you haven’t.
Data Protection – 5 Common Misconceptions
Myth 1: I Don’t Need to Back Up My Data Because I Have a New Computer
Your computer isn’t built to last forever. Eventually, it will die. And when it does, so will everything on the hard drive that you didn’t back up.
If you don’t back up your data, you’re taking a big risk.
Myth 2: I Use a New Program to Protect My Files
You might believe that if you buy a new program, all of your data problems will be solved.
Unfortunately, that’s not true. Why? Because there are many kinds of data loss, the program you use won’t stop all of them.
There are two major types of data loss: hardware failure and user error. A computer crash is a hardware failure, while accidentally deleting files is a user error.
Your backup solution should protect your data from both types of data loss. If it doesn’t, you’ll be at risk of losing your files.
Myth 3: I Have a Cloud Storage Solution
You probably believe that if you store your files in the cloud, you don’t need to worry about backups. But that’s not true, either.
Cloud-based storage isn’t a backup solution. It’s a syncing service that allows you to access your files from anywhere. If there’s a fire or another natural disaster, your data will be gone forever.
And if the company that offers your cloud storage goes out of business, your data will be gone forever, too.
You need a backup solution that can protect your data from hardware failures and user errors.
That’s why you need a local backup solution.
Myth 4: I Have an Offsite Backup Solution
You might think that if you have an offsite backup solution, you don’t need to back up your data locally. That’s also not true.
An offsite backup isn’t a replacement for a local backup. Why? Because you can’t access the files on your hard drive when they’re being backed up to the cloud or a remote location.
If you have an offsite backup solution, you still need to back up your data locally.
Otherwise, if something happens to your computer or data connection, your backup will be inaccessible.
Myth 5: I Have a Backup Drive at the Office or a Friend’s House
You might also believe that if you have a backup drive at work, you don’t need to worry about backups. This is also not true.
You need a local backup solution for your data. Because there are two major types of data loss, you need to protect your data from both.
If you don’t, you’ll be at risk of losing your files.
Conclusion
The best way to protect your data is to back it up regularly. If you don’t, you’re at risk of losing your files.
If you have a backup solution, you don’t need to worry about data loss. However, if you don’t, you’re taking a big risk.
You can back up your data locally with a hard drive. Or you can back it up remotely with storage in the cloud or offsite.
What’s important is that you have a backup solution in place before disaster strikes.