The most important points at a glance
A good backup strategy protects data not only from loss but also ensures that it can be restored quickly in an emergency. For this, stgallennetgroup AG recommends, depending on the objective, a local NAS-based backup or an Online backup as a second instance, each with immutability. Also important is the clear separation between backup and archive and a retention period that matches the risk.
In practice, we at stgallennetgroup AG repeatedly see that the problem is not backing up itself but recoverability. A backup is of little use if it is kept for too short a time, damaged, or too slow to restore in an emergency. That is why we always consider data protection together with retention, restoration, and protection against manipulation.
Why is a well-thought-out backup strategy so important?
In case of data loss, technical failures, cyberattacks, or other unforeseen events, a backup is indispensable. The text also notes that a company is liable for damages from insufficient backup retention or missing restoration possibilities. Therefore, merely creating backups is not enough; the strategy must also cover the worst case.
What types of backups exist?
| Feature | Full backup | Incremental backup |
|---|---|---|
| Backup time | Long | Short |
| Storage requirement | High | Low |
| Recovery time | Fast | Slow |
| Dependencies | None | Dependent on previous backups |
| Data security | High, one backup suffices | Medium, multiple steps needed |
A full backup secures all selected data in full and is therefore quickly restorable. It is, however, time- and storage-intensive because each backup stores all data again. An incremental backup stores only the changes since the last backup, saving storage space and time, but requires multiple backup sets for recovery.
What do Immutable Backups bring?
Immutable backups cannot be changed or deleted after creation, neither deliberately nor accidentally. This significantly increases data security and protects against ransomware encryption, malware, insider threats, as well as data manipulation and deletion. In an environment with attacks and errors, this is a central protective mechanism.
Backup is not the same as Archive
A backup is intended for short-term restoration, for example after data loss, system faults, or a ransomware attack. An archive, by contrast, serves the long-term, structured, and often revision-safe retention. Mixing both risks either too little protection in an emergency or unnecessary storage costs.
Which backup strategy does stgallennetgroup AG recommend?
| Scenario | Purpose | Recommended backup | Retention | Storage requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local backup, NAS or 2nd instance | Very fast recovery, low storage price, no Internet needed | 1× per week full backup, daily incremental backup | Monthly backups for 12 months, daily backups at least 90 days | approx. 20x raw data size |
| Online backup in Switzerland or Europe | Protection against natural disasters, wider access options | 1× per month full backup, daily incremental backup | At least 30 days with local backup | approx. 2x raw data size |
If there is no local backup, we recommend implementing according to the local backup recommendation and using two backup targets for data storage. Additionally, a file backup can be sensible. What matters is that the backup runs regularly, remains available long enough, and can actually be restored in an emergency.
stgallennetgroup AG
What services does stgallennetgroup AG offer around data protection?
- Control of backup jobs
- Monitoring of current system backups
- Proactive action on system errors
- Function test after initial setup
The stgallennetgroup AG accompanies companies in infrastructure, cloud, communications, and IT security with a pragmatic focus on long-term functioning solutions. Exactly in backup strategy you see how important a well-coordinated team with direct contact to the customer is: backing up, monitoring, and reacting early to errors brings more than just erasing data. This keeps IT helpful rather than hindering.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I perform a full backup?
Do I also need immutability in addition to the backup?
What is the difference between backup and archive?
What happens if I have no local backup?
A viable backup strategy combines full backup, incremental backup, immutability, and a clear retention rule. Exactly this creates a data protection solution that works in daily life and carries in an emergency.
If you want to set up or audit your company’s backup strategy properly, it is worth looking at the concrete infrastructure and required retention periods. This ensures that backup, restoration, and protection against data loss fit together.
Möchten Sie Ihre Backup-Strategie prüfen lassen?
stgallennetgroup AG, St. Gallen