3-2-1 Rule for backups

A quick reminder on why the 3-2-1 backup rule still makes sense.

Regular readers of this blog have heard me talk about the 3-2-1 rule for backup. This rule has been around for decades and it is still as relevant today as it was in the past.

Let’s review

3 copies of data.
You should have 3 copies of your data in case of hardware or data corruption.

2 locations
Your data should be stored in 2 different In the past, this primarily meant one copy on DVD or tape. These days this could mean stored on an external hard drive or to a cloud based backup services like Backblaze.

1 of them offsite.
In the case of theft, fire or flood at the location your computer is, you must have another copy in a different physical place. Cloud backup is the easiest way to do this, but even taking the third copy to a safety deposit box or a relative’s house will do the job.

By following the 3-2-1 backup rule as part of your backup system it will ensure your data is safe.