Protect your business with the NCSC’s cyber security tips on backups, protecting your devices and accounts, and spotting scams.
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Backing up your data
Most organisations in the UK rely on digital technology to function. This is why you should make a copy (also known as a backup) of all the data that your business needs to operate. This could include your website, emails, invoicing, documents, presentations, contacts and customer information.
If you lose access to your data, you can restore a copy of it from the backup. This can either be stored online (using services like iCloud, Google Drive and OneDrive) or on an external device like a USB stick or external hard drive.
How might you lose access to your data?
A ransomware attack (or other type of virus) may ‘lock’ your data so you can’t access it
Your device might be lost, stolen, or stop working
You might have a new device and need to copy existing data on to it
Backing up using online storage
You can back up your data to the internet (also known as ‘the cloud’) if you have reliable internet access. Most providers offer limited free storage, and large amounts of additional storage can be purchased at low cost.
Below we've provided links that give specific instructions about how to back up your data online.
You should back up your data using an external storage device (such as a USB stick or an external hard drive) if you don’t have a reliable internet connection.
Note that you’ll also have to keep the storage device safe in a secure location. The device should not stay connected to your device when not in use, as some viruses will also affect devices that are connected to an infected computer.
Below we've provided links that give specific instructions about how to back up your data to a storage device.
To be extra safe, consider using online and a storage device to create two backups, in case one of them is lost or stolen, or if the storage device fails. You should protect your online backups by turning on 2-step verification (2SV).
Restoring backups
Once you've made your backup, it's important you know how to restore it, and to check that it contains all your important data.
