Lesson 3 of 410 min

Backup strategy — 3-2-1

3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off-site. Test restores or your backups are fiction.

Executive reviewing metrics on a laptop — Photo by Startup Stock Photos on Pexels

3-2-1: 3 copies of data, on 2 different media, with 1 copy off-site.

Common tools: Veeam (great for VMs), Datto (BCDR (Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery) appliance + cloud), Acronis. M365 (Microsoft 365) data needs its own backup — Microsoft doesn't back it up for you long-term.

Diagram · 3-2-1 backup rule

An untested backup is not a backup. Schedule monthly restore tests.

Key takeaways

▸3-2-1 is the floor, not the ceiling
▸M365 needs third-party backup
▸If you haven't restored from it, you don't have it

Next: Reporting the work →