Imagine this: you walk into the office on a Monday morning, turn on your computer, and instead of your files, you see a message demanding payment in exchange for your data. That’s ransomware — and it’s happening to small businesses across Canada every day.
The scary part? Once ransomware locks your files, there’s no guarantee you’ll ever get them back — even if you pay.
The good news? A reliable backup system can turn a crisis into an inconvenience.
Why Backups Are Non-Negotiable
Ransomware works by encrypting your files so you can’t access them. Without backups, you’re stuck choosing between paying criminals or losing critical business data. Neither is a good option.
But with the right backup in place, you can:
- Restore files quickly without paying a ransom.
- Minimize downtime so your staff can get back to work.
- Prove resilience to clients, insurers, and auditors.
Backups are like an insurance policy — but better, because they don’t just cover costs, they keep your business running.
The Most Common Backup Mistakes
Not all backups are created equal. Here are some pitfalls that trip up small businesses:
- Only backing up onsite. If ransomware infects your server, it can wipe out onsite backups too.
- Not testing restores. A backup that fails when you need it isn’t really a backup.
- Infrequent backups. Losing a week of data can be almost as bad as losing everything.
Best Practices for Reliable Backups
To keep your business safe, follow the 3-2-1 rule:
- 3 copies of your data (original + 2 backups).
- 2 different media types (e.g., cloud + external storage).
- 1 copy stored offsite or offline where ransomware can’t reach it.
And don’t forget: test your backups regularly. A quick quarterly restore test ensures your safety net actually works.
Backups + Security = True Resilience
Backups alone won’t stop ransomware — but paired with other measures like Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and endpoint protection, they make sure your business can survive an attack without permanent damage.
Final Word
When ransomware strikes, your backup is your lifeline. Without it, recovery is uncertain. With it, you can turn a disaster into a hiccup.
Want to make sure your business has rock-solid backups in place? Let’s build a backup strategy tailored to your business today. Contact us now.
