Backing Up Your Business Data: Simple Protection That Works - Free Training by SKTS - Free Microcourse

Welcome! Let's Protect Your Data

Hi there! I'm Skits!

Your business data – customer lists, financial records, documents – is irreplaceable. Losing it can shut down your business for days or even permanently. The good news? Proper backups are simple and affordable. Let me show you how!

But first — what's your name?

Why Backups Matter

Every day, small businesses lose critical data from:

Ransomware attacks – Hackers encrypt your files and demand payment
Hard drive failures – All hard drives eventually fail
Accidental deletion – "I thought I was deleting the old version..."
Theft or fire – Physical disasters happen
Software corruption – Updates or crashes damage files

In this course, you'll learn:

The 3-2-1 backup rule (industry standard)
What to backup (and what you can skip)
Backup solutions for small businesses
How to test your backups actually work
Simple backup schedules that protect without hassle

The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

This is the gold standard!

IT professionals worldwide follow this rule because it protects against every type of data loss. Let me break it down for you.

The Simple Formula

3 Copies of Your Data + 2 Different Storage Types + 1 Offsite Backup

What This Means:

3 Copies Total:

Original: Your working files on your computer
Local backup: External hard drive or network drive
Cloud backup: Online storage like LiveDrive, OneDrive, etc.

2 Different Storage Types:

Don't put all eggs in one basket! Use different technologies so one failure doesn't kill everything.

Computer hard drive (original)
External drive or NAS (local backup)
Cloud storage (offsite backup)

1 Offsite Copy:

Keep at least one backup away from your office. If there's a fire, flood, or theft, your cloud backup saves the day!

Real Example

SKTS Recommended Setup: Working files on your computer + External drive that backs up nightly + LiveDrive cloud backup running 24/7. Total cost: About $100/year.

What Should You Backup?

You can't back up everything!

Focus on what's irreplaceable. Software can be reinstalled, but your data can't be recreated. Let me show you what really matters.

Critical: MUST Backup

Documents folder – Contracts, invoices, reports, proposals
Desktop – Many people save important files here
Accounting files – Your entire financial history
Customer databases – Contact info, purchase history
Photos and videos – Product photos, marketing materials
Email (if not cloud-based) – Business communication history
Bookmarks/Favorites – Important website links

Don't Need to Backup:

Programs and applications – Can be reinstalled
Windows operating system – Can be reinstalled
Temporary files – Downloads, cache, temp folders

⚠️ What about OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox?

Cloud sync is not the same as a backup. Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox all follow a shared responsibility model — they keep the platform running, but your data is your responsibility. If files are accidentally deleted, corrupted, or hit by ransomware, syncing just spreads the damage. Ask SKTS about cloud backup options for your business.

The Golden Question:

"If my computer died right now, what would I be devastated to lose?"

That's what you need to back up!

Let's Practice: Backup Scenarios

Test your backup knowledge!

Let's see if you understand the 3-2-1 rule. Which backup strategy is best?

Scenario: Your Backup Strategy

You want to protect your business files following the 3-2-1 rule. Which setup is BEST?

Backup Solutions for Small Business

Let's talk solutions!

Here are the backup options SKTS recommends for small businesses. Simple, affordable, and reliable.

SKTS Recommended Backup Solutions

Cloud Backup: LiveDrive (SKTS Reseller)

Cost: $59/year per machine

What it does: Automatic 24/7 backup to the cloud

Backs up: Desktop, Documents, Photos (plus custom folders)

Best for: Set-it-and-forget-it protection

This is our top recommendation for most small businesses!

Local Backup: External Hard Drive

Cost: $80-150 one-time + $49/year management

What it does: Fast local backup you control

Backs up: Everything you choose

Best for: Quick restores, large files

Important: Unplug between backups to prevent ransomware from encrypting your backup!

Cloud Storage: OneDrive/Microsoft 365

Cost: Included with Microsoft 365

What it does: Sync files automatically to cloud

Backs up: Desktop, Documents, Photos

Best for: File sharing and collaboration

Need Help Setting Up Backups?

SKTS can set up a complete backup system for your business – cloud + local + testing to make sure it actually works!

Testing Your Backups (This Is Critical!)

Here's the scary truth...

Many businesses think they have backups, but when disaster strikes, they discover the backups don't work. Testing is the only way to know your backups will save you!

How to Test Your Backups

Test #1: Can You Find Your Files?

Open your backup location (cloud portal, external drive)
Navigate to your Documents folder
Find a file you know you created recently
Check the date – is it current?

If you can't find it or it's old, your backup isn't working!

Test #2: Can You Restore a File?

Pick a non-critical file from your backup
Try to restore/download it
Open the file – does it work correctly?
Time how long it took

This shows you the restore process BEFORE you need it in an emergency.

Test #3: Is Everything Being Backed Up?

Create a test file in your Documents folder
Wait for next backup (or force one)
Check if the test file appears in your backup
Delete the test file

Testing Schedule

Test your backups every 3 months. Set a calendar reminder. It takes 10 minutes and could save your business. SKTS includes backup testing in our subscription services!

Knowledge Check Quiz

Final quiz time!

Answer correctly to complete the course and prove you're ready to protect your business data!

Final Question

You have an external hard drive that backs up your files every night while it's connected to your computer. What's the BIGGEST risk with this setup?

Skits holding hearts, celebrating your achievement

You should be proud of yourself!

You just learned the 3-2-1 backup rule, how to set up cloud and local backups, how to test them, and why "I'll do it later" is the most dangerous phrase in tech. Your business data is about to be seriously protected. A hard drive crash used to be a nightmare. Now it's just a minor inconvenience.

Now go set up that backup — your future self is going to thank you.

Want Us to Handle Your Backups?

That's literally what we do for a living. Set it up once, never worry again.

Let SKTS Handle Your Backups

We can help with:

LiveDrive cloud backup: $59/year per machine
Setting up automatic local and cloud backups
Testing and verifying your backup system
Building a disaster recovery plan for your business
Monthly monitoring starting at $35/mo per machine

540.303.2410

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