Most businesses discover their backup didn't work — during the disaster.
"We have backup" is different from "we have tested, working, current backup that will actually restore." In real disaster scenarios we've seen: backups that hadn't run in months without alerts, backups that ran but produced corrupted/unrestorable files, backups on the same server as production (destroyed together), backup credentials compromised alongside the domain during ransomware. Structured backup + DR prevents all of these.
3-2-1 backup architecture
3 copies (production + 2 backups), 2 different media types (disk + cloud/tape), 1 off-site. Modern extension: 3-2-1-1-0 (1 immutable copy + 0 errors verified). Baseline for meaningful protection — anything less is inadequate for business data.
Immutable backup storage
Backup copies that can't be modified or deleted for their retention period — even by admins with credentials. Object storage with object lock, immutable ZFS snapshots, S3 with governance retention. Primary defense against ransomware encrypting your backups.
Off-site replication
Secondary copy at physically separate location. Cloud object storage (S3, Azure Blob, Backblaze B2, Wasabi) or secondary site. Protects against site-level disasters — fire, flood, theft, extended power failure.
Cloud services backup
M365 email, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams — needs explicit backup. Same for Google Workspace. Microsoft/Google preserve data per service terms, not indefinitely against admin errors or ransomware. Third-party backup for these is standard.
Tested restore procedures
Regular verification that backups actually restore to alternative locations. Integrity checks, spot-check restore of random files, quarterly full-system restore exercises. Discovery of backup failures during test, not during disaster.
Written DR plan
Documented recovery procedures — step-by-step actions per scenario, RTO/RPO per system, contact tree, alternate infrastructure. Rehearsed periodically. Plan that works when needed because it's been used before.
Choosing backup software.
Veeam Backup & Replication
Industry standard for VMware, Hyper-V, physical servers, cloud services (M365). Most mature feature set, best documentation, strongest ecosystem. Higher cost but best-in-class capability. Standard choice for larger environments.
Nakivo Backup & Replication
SMB-friendly, competitive pricing. Good VMware/Hyper-V/Proxmox/physical/M365/Google Workspace coverage. Solid feature set for the cost. Popular choice for growing SMBs.
Vinchin Backup
Competitive alternative with strong virtualization support (VMware, Hyper-V, Proxmox, Xen, RHV). Good value for virtualization-heavy environments. Growing feature set for physical and cloud.
Acronis Cyber Protect
Integrated backup + security. Combines traditional backup with anti-ransomware, endpoint protection. Different value proposition — one product for backup + security instead of separate tools.
Open-source alternatives
Bacula, Restic, Borgbackup, Kopia — capable open-source options for cost-sensitive environments or specific requirements. Require more setup expertise but zero licensing cost. Often combined with commercial for specific tiers of the backup strategy.
What DR planning actually protects against.
Ransomware
The biggest current DR scenario. Immutable backup targets, isolated backup credentials, tested restore paths. Multiple recent examples of businesses saved by proper backup — and destroyed by inadequate backup.
Hardware failure
Server dies, RAID array fails catastrophically, storage system loses data. Restore to alternative hardware or new hardware. RTO depends on backup architecture and restore infrastructure availability.
Data corruption / user error
Accidental deletion of critical files, corrupt database, user error on shared folders. Restore from point-in-time snapshot. Common scenario — happens more often than dramatic disasters.
Site disaster
Fire, flood, extended power outage, physical theft. Off-site backup + alternate infrastructure recovery. Lower probability but severe impact — off-site copies are what save the business.
Cloud service outage
M365 outage, Google Workspace outage, ISP outage. Backup accessibility during cloud outages, alternate connectivity, offline access to critical data.
Compliance retention
Regulated sectors — legal, healthcare, finance — need specific retention periods, audit trails, secure deletion capabilities. Compliance-aware backup architecture with proper documentation.