Note: if you used an external drive in step one, use a different drive for this step in order to meet the 3-2-1 requirement of using different media. For more about backup applications, see this list of back up tools. Using an external hard drive for this purpose, along with a backup application that runs automatically in the background makes this effortless and quick, once its set up. Subsequent backups will be incremental, i.e., they will only include files that have changed since your last backup.

Your first backup of this type will be a full back up of all data files and documents, and may take a while.

Use a back up application and an external drive to create a file system backup, so that you can conveniently recover individual files as needed.

Either satisfies the 3-2-1 rules requirement for different media. DVD ROM backups are slow and tedious, though, so you may want to use an external hard drive instead. Because you’ll refresh this back up less frequently, you might use DVD ROM media. A system recovery image will allow you to recover your installed OS, applications and data files after a catastrophic failure of your hard drive.

Create a system recovery image of your primary computer.

Here’s a simple strategy for following the 3-2-1 rule: Redundancy is key in ensuring that at least one copy of your important files is available when you need it. Protect your data by following the 3-2-1 rule make 3 copies, on 2 different types of media, 1 of which is in a remote location. In the event that you need to backup electronic protected health information (ePHI) or other restricted data, please work with the Office of Cybersecurity to identify compliant backup tools. If you’re looking for backup options for departmental data, please see the Bucky Backup service page. If you want to know more about the 3-2-1 strategy, read on. Explore them and plan your own backup strategy. If you don’t know what backup tools you can use to protect your personal documents, photos, contacts and other data here’s a list of available backup tools on campus.

Top personal backup storage 2019