BLOG

Building a Bulletproof Backup Strategy

backupdisaster-recoveryMSP

If your backup strategy is still just “3-2-1” you’re living in 2015. Modern threats require modern solutions.

Why 3-2-1 Isn’t Enough

The classic 3-2-1 rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite) was solid advice for its time. But it doesn’t account for:

  • Ransomware that targets backup systems specifically
  • Cloud-native workloads that don’t fit traditional backup models
  • Recovery time objectives (RTO) under 1 hour
  • Compliance requirements that mandate immutable backups

The Modern Framework: 3-2-1-1-0

Here’s what you should be implementing:

  • 3 copies of your data
  • 2 different storage media types
  • 1 offsite copy
  • 1 immutable or air-gapped copy
  • 0 errors after automated recovery testing

Immutable Backups Are Non-Negotiable

Every backup solution you deploy should support immutability. This means once data is written, it cannot be modified or deleted — even by admins — for a defined retention period.

Automated Testing

The biggest gap in most backup strategies? Nobody tests the restores. Set up automated recovery testing that runs weekly and validates that your backups are actually recoverable.

The Stack I Recommend

For mid-size environments, here’s what works:

  • Primary: Veeam or Datto for image-based backups
  • Cloud: Azure Blob with immutability policies or AWS S3 Object Lock
  • Air gap: Offline rotation with encrypted media or dedicated isolation vault
  • Testing: Automated restore verification with notification pipeline

Don’t wait for a disaster to find out your backups don’t work.