In 2024, it’s surprising how many computers and servers still lack any form of backup. Here at Galveston Computer Solutions LLC, we see hundreds of machines each year, and the number that aren’t backed up at all is alarming. Many users still think of traditional backups as a full copy of the machine created every day—a great method for servers, but it’s not always practical for home or workstation use. However, backing up your essential documents, or using cloud services to keep your data safe, is now easier than ever. Syncing files to Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or a similar platform isn’t technically a full backup, but it’s far better than relying solely on your computer’s hard drive.
For servers and network backups, we recommend at least two backup locations: one on-site and one in the cloud. This approach gives you resilience in case of physical damage or hardware failures. The more backups you have, the better protected you are, though cost-effectiveness is always a consideration. USB external drives can serve as a useful additional backup solution, but they come with risks. Leaving these drives connected constantly makes them vulnerable to power surges and hackers. If you’re using an external drive, be sure to back up your data, then disconnect and store it safely.
Why Cloud Sync Services Help Protect Your Data
Using cloud sync services like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive adds an important layer of protection for your data. These platforms automatically sync your documents, photos, and important files across your devices, so even if your computer crashes, you can still access your data from the cloud. They also provide a level of security with built-in encryption, and some services offer file versioning to recover older versions of files if you accidentally delete or overwrite them. Although these services aren’t substitutes for traditional backups, they add a significant level of resilience and convenience. In the event of a hardware failure or theft, you can quickly recover your files from anywhere with an internet connection.
The Benefits of Disaster Recovery Backups for Workstations and Servers
For businesses and individuals who rely on their data, a disaster recovery backup is essential. Unlike regular backups, disaster recovery backups go beyond data protection—they include the operating system, applications, and configurations, allowing for full system restoration. This means that in the event of a catastrophic failure, your server or workstation can be up and running again with minimal downtime. Another key feature of comprehensive backup solutions is file revisioning, which allows you to keep multiple versions of files. This is a lifesaver if a file becomes corrupted or is accidentally edited, as you can roll back to a previous version and avoid data loss or hours of rework.
Protecting Office 365 Data with Third-Party Backup Solutions
Many businesses assume that data in Office 365 is fully backed up by Microsoft, but that’s a dangerous misconception. While Office 365 has built-in redundancy, it doesn’t provide comprehensive backups or protection against accidental deletions, ransomware, or malicious insiders. For complete security, businesses using Office 365 should consider third-party backup solutions. These services can replicate your entire Office 365 environment—including email, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams—onto independent cloud storage or Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices like QNAP, Synology, or Asustor. By backing up Office 365 data outside of Microsoft’s infrastructure, you ensure that your data remains safe, accessible, and recoverable, even if there’s an issue with Microsoft’s network.
Don’t Risk Losing Everything: Backup Your Data
Living on the coast, we’re no strangers to the potential devastation of hurricanes and power outages. We know how crucial backups are for personal and business data alike. Here at Galveston Computer Solutions LLC, we provide backup solutions and are happy to create a customized quote, but more than anything, we just want you to back up. If you’re uncertain about the reliability of your current backup or need advice on a new backup solution—even if it’s not from us—we’re here to help. It’s heartbreaking to tell someone that their data is gone and that they’ll need to spend thousands to attempt data recovery. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect your data, because you can never be too prepared.
Steve Burdick
President
Galveston Computer Solutions LLC
523 24th Street Suite 5, Galveston, TX. 77550