What’s the most reliable backup strategy you use for your business or personal data?

[santosh.p]

Hi
I’ve been using CrashPlan for my data backups — mainly because it offers continuous, cloud-based protection and makes restoring files super simple. But I’m curious to know what others are using.

Do you rely on local drives, NAS setups, or other cloud solutions for your backups?

Looking for recommendations or best practices that work well for both personal and small business environments.

 

[danisjohn]

I use the 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep 3 copies of data, stored on 2 different storage types, with 1 copy offsite (like Google Drive or OneDrive). Local SSD + External HDD + Cloud sync ensures safety from device failure or accidental loss.

Copy	Location	Purpose
1	Device (Laptop/PC)	Primary working copy
2	External HDD/SSD	Offline safety
3	Cloud (Google Drive/OneDrive)	Offsite protection

 

[pablo]

The most reliable backup strategy is the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of data, on two different media, with one offsite or cloud backup for maximum security and recovery.

 

[santosh.p]

I use the 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep 3 copies of data, stored on 2 different storage types, with 1 copy offsite (like Google Drive or OneDrive). Local SSD + External HDD + Cloud sync ensures safety from device failure or accidental loss.

Copy	Location	Purpose
1	Device (Laptop/PC)	Primary working copy
2	External HDD/SSD	Offline safety
3	Cloud (Google Drive/OneDrive)	Offsite protection

Hi @danisjohn

Using cloud sync tools such as OneDrive or Google Drive as your “offsite backup” introduces several weaknesses.

Why this setup isn’t a true backup​

1. Sync ≠ Backup:
   Changes (deletes, overwrites, corruption) are mirrored instantly, so you can lose both local and cloud copies.
2. Limited retention:
   Deleted or old versions are only kept for a short time (usually 30 days).
3. Ransomware risk:
   Encrypted files get synced too, overwriting safe versions.
4. Human error:
   Mistakes like deleting or renaming folders propagate everywhere.

Use a dedicated backup tool (e.g., CrashPlan, Veeam, Backblaze, etc.) that creates versioned, immutable backups in the cloud or another physical location. These backups don’t auto-sync and can be restored even after weeks or months.

 

[isabel]

I use a mix of Google Drive for cloud backups and an external SSD for local copies. It keeps everything safe and easy to restore if something goes wrong.

 

[peterkavinsky]

The most reliable backup strategy is the 3-2-1 rule — keep three copies of your data, store them on two different types of media, and keep one copy offsite or in the cloud. This ensures protection against hardware failure, accidental deletion, and disasters, keeping your business or personal data safe.

 

[marco]

Yup same goes here I also use a hybrid backup setup local external drives for quick recovery and Google Drive for offsite cloud storage. This way, I have redundancy in case of hardware failure or ransomware attacks. I also automate weekly backups, so I don’t have to remember to do it manually. It’s been reliable and hassle free so far.

 

[lucas]

The most reliable backup strategy is the 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of your data, 2 on different local devices (such as your computer and an external hard drive), and 1 off-site or in the cloud (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive). This ensures protection against hardware failure, theft, or disasters while keeping your files easily recoverable.

 

[nikhilrajoria]

The 3-2-1 rule is best:

1. 3 copies of your data
2. 2 kinds of media (e.g. cloud + hard drive)
3. 1 stored offsite

Strategies such as Backblaze, Google Drive or Acronis provide automated secure backups.