Backups you can actually restore when you need them
A backup nobody has tested is only an assumption. We design backups so that after a disk failure, a staff mistake or a ransomware attack your company is back at work within hours, not weeks.
- 3-2-1 rule with an immutable off-site copy
- Backups of ERP databases (SQL Server), virtual machines and Microsoft 365
- Regular restore tests with a written report
What the 3-2-1 rule means
The 3-2-1 rule says your data should exist in three copies, on two different media, with one copy stored off site. Today we add a fourth condition: at least one copy must be immutable or offline, so an attacker who has taken over an admin account cannot delete it.
Before implementation we agree two numbers with you. RPO is how much data you can afford to lose (for example the last hour of work), and RTO is how quickly a system must be running again. These two numbers drive the solution and its cost.
What we protect
Servers and virtual machines
Hyper-V and VMware, full-machine backups that can be started on standby hardware.
SQL Server and ERP databases
Consistent online backups of InsERT and other ERP databases.
Microsoft 365
Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams. Microsoft does not guarantee recovery of data deleted by users after the retention period.
Employee laptops
Automatic backup of work folders, especially on laptops that leave the office.
NAS servers
Synology and QNAP as backup repositories with snapshots and replication to a second site.
Disaster recovery plan
A written procedure: who restores which systems, in what order and how fast. We rehearse it with you once a year.
How we implement backup
Data inventory
We identify critical systems and their RPO and RTO.
Design
Software, media and locations, plus a cost estimate.
Implementation
Schedules, encryption, retention and alerts.
Restore test
We restore selected data and a full machine and record times and findings.
When to get in touch
- Backups go to a USB disk that is permanently attached to the server
- Nobody remembers when data was last restored from backup
- Your ERP database is backed up manually or not at all
- You moved to Microsoft 365 and assume Microsoft backs it up for you
Frequently asked questions: Backup and disaster recovery
How often should a business back up its data?
As often as the amount of data you can afford to lose. For accounting or ERP systems usually every hour or more often, for file servers once a day, for whole virtual machines daily or weekly. We set the schedule based on your RPO.
Does Microsoft 365 back up my data?
Microsoft keeps the service available and retains deleted items for a limited time, typically 14 to 93 days depending on the service. That is not a backup that lets you restore any state from months ago, so we recommend a separate backup of mail, OneDrive and SharePoint.
What is an immutable backup?
A copy that cannot be changed or deleted for a set period, even with an administrator account. It protects against attacks that delete backups first and encrypt data afterwards. It can be implemented on a NAS with the right feature or in the cloud.
How long does recovery take after a failure?
From a few minutes for a single file to several hours for a whole server, depending on data volume, where the backup is stored and whether standby hardware is ready. We measure this during tests so it is not a surprise.
Can you back up an SQL Server database while users are working?
Yes. We use scheduled full backups plus transaction log backups during the day, copy them off the server and regularly test restores on a separate instance.
Related services
- Cybersecurity and NIS2Ransomware protection, NIS2 compliance in Poland and Germany, staff awareness training.
- Managed IT servicesYour external IT department: helpdesk, server and network administration, hardware service and supply.
- ERP and InsERT implementationImplementation and support of InsERT nexo and GT, migrations, e-commerce and e-invoicing integrations.
Let's check whether your backup would work
As part of the free audit we review your backup configuration and tell you how long it would take to restore your key systems.
- Phone
+48 501 035 571 - E-mail
kontaktaritmasoft.eu