Backups: The 3-2-1 Rule and Why “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough
If You’d Be Sad If You Lost It — Back It Up.
Let’s start simple:
If you’d be sad, stressed, or out of business if a file disappeared, it needs to be backed up — automatically, regularly, and reliably.
We’ve seen it too many times: a drive fails, a ransomware attack hits, or someone just deletes the wrong folder. In the moment, you don’t care how it happened — you just need your data back. That’s where a solid backup strategy earns its keep.
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule
Every strong backup plan starts here:
3 copies, 2 types of media, 1 offsite.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- 3 copies of your data
The original + two backups.
(Because one backup isn’t really a backup — it’s just another single point of failure.) - 2 different storage types
Maybe one on your local server or NAS, and another in the cloud.
Mixing media types (local + cloud) protects against hardware issues and local disasters. - 1 copy offsite
This protects you from fire, theft, flood, ransomware, or anything that wipes out your physical location.
Follow that rule, and you’ve got real resilience — not just a “hope for the best” plan.
Offsite Backups vs. Standby Images
Not all backups are created equal, and not all recovery goals are the same.
Offsite backups are perfect for long-term safety. They’re encrypted, stored remotely, and great for disaster recovery. The downside? Restoring from them can take time — sometimes hours or even days depending on data size and internet speeds.
Standby images, on the other hand, are designed for speed.
They’re full system snapshots that can spin up a virtual replacement server quickly — sometimes within minutes. Think of it as having a ready-to-go clone of your system waiting in the wings.
At Ultrex, we often recommend a hybrid approach:
- A local standby image for fast recovery (get back up in minutes).
- A secure offsite backup for total data protection (no matter what happens locally).
The Real Equation: Cost vs. Downtime
Every business has a different tolerance for downtime and data loss — and that’s okay.
The key is understanding where you fall on the cost vs. downtime spectrum.
Ask yourself:
- How much would an hour, or even day of downtime cost in lost productivity or revenue?
- How much historical data could you afford to lose if something failed right now?
- Given the amount of data you have, how long would it cost to restore from your current backup plan?
From there, we help tailor a solution that balances speed, cost, and protection — not a one-size-fits-all package, but the right fit for your budget and risk level.
Backup Isn’t “Set and Forget” – but it is for you!
Backups that aren’t automated, tested, and monitored aren’t really backups — they’re false comfort.
We make sure our clients’ backups run on schedule, send verification reports, and actually restore properly when needed. Because the time to find out your backup failed… isn’t during an emergency.
Why This Matters for You
Whether you’re a one-person office or a growing team, backup is the single most important piece of your IT safety net.
And the good news? With Ultrex, There is no extra charge for “backup tickets” or “restore requests.” We don’t nickel-and-dime over protection. There’s a cost for the backup options presented, but all the implementation, restores, and testing/monitoring- that’s all part of your retainer.
We’ll help you:
- Set up 3-2-1 compliant backups
- Automate and monitor them
- Regularly test restores
- Choose the right mix of on-site, offsite, and image-based solutions for your needs
Because when (not if) something goes wrong, you’ll want more than luck — you’ll want confidence.
Let’s Make Sure Your Data Is Truly Safe
If your backup plan hasn’t been tested lately, or you’re not sure where your offsite copy even lives — it’s time to review.
Let’s take a look together and make sure your backups match your business, not just the lowest bidder’s checkbox.
👉 Contact us today — we’ll help you make sure that if disaster strikes, it’s just a minor inconvenience, not a catastrophe.