let’s talk about data protection strategies and their relevance

Have you ever wondered if the 3-2-1 rule is still used and if it’s even still relevant today? To determine whether it is still usable, we must first define the rule itself. The 3-2-1 rule states that there should be three copies of every piece of data you wish to be protected. One is the original copy of the data, and then you should have two additional copies that are securely stored.

the reasoning behind the 3-2-1 rule

All things considered, the implementation of the 3-2-1 rule makes a certain amount of sense. Before cloud data backups were popular, business owners and individuals had to save their sensitive data on devices and in print. It’s undeniable that having sufficient copies of data is extremely important if you want to eliminate the possibility of losing it. It also helps ensure that data recovery is possible if a technological or security issue crops up.

The 3-2-1 rule also encourages backing up data to an external data storage device that is stored at a different location. This makes it possible to access data if anything happens to your computers and laptops, such as a flood, fire, or theft. But what happens if something happens to the external storage device too? There are instances where all three copies of data have been lost.

That said, the question still begs to be answered; is the 3-2-1 rule still relevant given the fact that cloud backups are now the norm, or is it obsolete?

The simple answer is, it’s obsolete, or it should be! As a result, more pressure is falling on businesses to adopt cloud backup methods as their primary method of keeping data safe and secure.

enter the spotlight; cloud storage

The introduction of cloud storage has enhanced data security, doing away with the drudgery of having to make three copies of documents. Nowadays, all we need is a cloud backup service that stores all of our data incrementally. There’s no longer a need for external data storage – in fact, external hard drives are somewhat redundant to many people.

Not only does having a cloud service reduce the list for data storage/security, but it is also a whole lot cheaper than implementing the 3-2-1 rule.

Another benefit of utilising cloud backup services is that companies can set user limitations, ensuring that only key role players in the business have access to sensitive documents. It’s a lot harder for an opportunistic criminal to gain access to encrypted data backups in the cloud than it is to steal a document or hard drive for example.

in conclusion

It is easy to see why encrypted data cloud backup has quickly become the most effective and efficient way to store data. While some business owners hang on to the outdated storage methods, the efficiency, affordability, and exceptional reliability of cloud data backups are starting to make more decision-makers pay attention.

Who knows, perhaps the obsolete 3-2-1 rule will be but a distant memory in the near future. Have ideas and thoughts on the 3-2-1 Rule of your own? Let us know – we’d love to hear from you!