3-2-1 backup rule

A widely used backup guideline: keep three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy stored offsite or in the cloud.

The 3-2-1 rule is a simple way to make sure a single problem cannot wipe out all of your business data. You keep the original plus two backups, store them on at least two different kinds of media (for example, a local backup appliance and a cloud service), and keep one copy physically separate from your office.

For an Alberta small business, the risks are very real: a ransomware infection, a burst pipe in a Calgary winter, a stolen laptop or a failed server can all take data offline. If every copy sits in the same building or on the same network, one event can destroy them all. Many organizations now extend the rule to include an offline or immutable copy that attackers cannot alter.

Practical tip: having backups is only half the job. Schedule a test restore at least a few times a year so you know your files can actually be recovered, and how long that takes.