3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite. Data loss is when, not if.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Guide
- Identify critical data — Documents, photos, financials
- Local backup — External drive or NAS. Automated
- Cloud backup — Backblaze ($99/yr), Google One, iCloud
- Offsite separation — Cloud provides geographic distance
- Automate — Time Machine, File History
- Encrypt — All destinations, especially portable
- Phone backup — iCloud or Google One
- Test restores monthly — Untested = not backed up
- Version history — Against ransomware
- Document plan — What, where, how, restore steps
Common Mistakes
- Only one backup
- Never testing
- Same location
- Unencrypted portable
- Sync is not backup
Pro Tips
- Cloud sync is not cloud backup
- Backblaze affordable unlimited
- NAS for local network
- Ransomware encrypts connected; offsite critical
- One disconnected backup