Data is one of the most valuable components of any business. Information is the most important thing not only in business, but also in everyday life, and their loss can lead to financial losses, reputational risks, and even the shutdown of the company. Many users mistakenly believe that their hosting provider automatically takes care of data backup, but is this really the case? Who is responsible for the safety of information – the provider or the user himself?

In this article, we will look at what a backup is, how it works, why it is necessary, and who is responsible for organizing it.

What is a server backup and how does it work?

Backup is the process of creating backups of data that can be restored in the event of a failure, error, or cyberattack. Backups are very important in the work of any company and should be done constantly.

1.  Full backup – the entire system is copied, including files, databases, and settings.
2.  Differential backup – only changes that occurred after the last full backup are copied, as a rule, they are used before updating the software.
3.  Incremental backup – only changes from the last backup of any type are saved.

To store backups, you can use:

•  Local media (hard drives, NAS, servers within the network).
•  Cloud storage (Google Drive, Amazon S3, MivoCloud Storage).
•  Dedicated backup servers (VPS with automatic backup).

Who is responsible for data backup?

1. Provider's responsibilities

Some hosting providers offer backup services, but this is not always included in the standard tariff. The provider can:

• Make regular backups, but with a certain frequency.
•  Keep backups for a limited time.
•  Provide data recovery, but not guarantee their 100% safety.
•  Important: If the provider does not have backup services, the responsibility for data loss falls on the client.

Thus, always check with the provider if they make backups and how they store them.

2. User Responsibilities

The final owner of the data is always responsible for their safety. Even if the provider offers backup, it is recommended to organize your own backup. This will help protect against data loss in case of:

1.  Accidents on the hosting side.
2.  Virus attacks or hacks.
3.  Update errors or accidental deletion of files.

The best solution is to use multiple levels of protection, including backup to a remote server or cloud storage. Also, this solution is perfect when both the hosting provider and the user make backups on their own. If you read the forums and user reviews, then this is the best solution.

Why make a backup?

1. Protection against hardware failures

Hard drives and server hardware may fail. Backup will help you to restore data without loss.Also, to avoid the risk of data loss in case of some really terrible things (fire, flood, power outages, etc.), you should use a cloud backup.

2. Preventing cyber attacks

DDoS attacks, encryption viruses, and hackers can block access to files. A saved backup will allow you to quickly restore the system, and if hackers have deleted something, you can always restore the data.

3. Fixing update errors

After an unsuccessful system or website update, a backup copy will help you quickly return everything to working order.

4. Flexibility in work

You can experiment with the server settings, knowing that there is a backup for rollback, and thus you can try to improve your server without fear of data loss.

How to properly organize backups?

Rule 3-2-1:

 3 copies of the data – the main one + two backup copies.

 2 different media – server + cloud storage.

 1 copy outside the office – secure location or cloud service.

Use automated solutions

Manual copying is inconvenient. It is better to set up an automatic backup with daily or weekly copies, but even so, before an important update, it is better to check and make another manual backup.

Keep copies in a safe place.

Encrypted copies on a remote server or cloud are more reliable than storage on the same server where the main data is located. Also, the data can always be stored on separate removable disks, which you can store somewhere.

Periodically test the recovery

It is important not only to make backups, but also to check how easily they can be restored.

Conclusion

 The responsibility for backups lies primarily with the owner of the data. The provider can provide backups, but only a well-thought-out protection strategy guarantees their safety. Therefore, as a client, you should also take care of the backup of your data and do it yourself at least once a month.

To minimize risks, use multiple backup storage sources and automate the process. Backup is an insurance policy that can save your business in a critical situation.

Why choose MivoCloud?

 MivoCloud offers reliable backup solutions:

•  Automated backups to cloud storage
•  DDoS protection and cybersecurity
•  Flexible VPS and dedicated server
• rates Instant data recovery

Choose MivoCloud – protect your data today!