In our current day and age, the ability to backup data is extremely important. Most of us work in some capacity that involves information being stored within some sort of depository. This is not without good reason as well. Sometimes, our belongings, such as our laptop, may become stolen, putting you in a precarious situation.

In some cases, our data may just inherently become corrupted. If you do not have a proper backup of your data, you risk losing all of those valuable pictures and documents. To pre-emptively defeat the threat of file theft or corruption, the following are the six best ways to backup data quickly and securely:

Backup Data with a USB Stick

A USB stick remains one of the best ways to backup data quickly. Although many of us have made the switch to a cloud-based system for backing up our data, many have not. Some folks rely heavily on physical items to back up their data, most of which have been tried-and-tested. One of the most reliable items largely still in use today? The USB stick.

A USB stick can come in a range of storage sizes, and is capable of safely storing all of your pertinent information and files. They are designed with convenience in mind, with many of them being small enough to carry in your pocket or handbag. When all else fails, you can be sure that a USB stick is useful enough to backup all of your necessary data.

Backup Data with an External Hard Drive

Although USB sticks come in a range of applicable sizes, sometimes you may need something a bit larger. Enter the external hard drive, which is one of the best ways to backup data quickly. These are ancillary hard drives that are separate from your main computer, and are capable of storing an abundance of your relevant data files.

Simply connect one to your main hard drive, and you are well on your way to efficiently backing up your data. They are relatively inexpensive as well, for the huge amount of storage they carry. Just be sure that you don’t place it in a situation that could create disaster; a potential power surge during data transference will prove to be problematic!

Backup Data with a NAS

 

A network-attached storage, commonly referred to as a NAS, is a particular type of server that is used to backup large amounts of data. This apparatus is generally used by businesses that need a means to safely place large quantities of information somewhere.

If you have multiple computers around, then a NAS will certainly prove to be very useful. This is particularly evident for those who want to backup data from more than one applicable source. In addition, most of these machines come equipped with automatic backups, effectively saving you from stressing out if you previously forgot to back up your data!

Backup Data with a Cloud Storage

Backing up and safely storing your information in the cloud has recently become the go-to method for data backup. Once your IT support provider sets up a cloud storage option, you become privy to a plethora of options that are dedicated to automatically backing up your pertinent files.

Usually, a certain amount of storage comes free and is usually adequate enough for everyday use. Many of these third-party cloud storage providers have the latest in security as well, so you won’t ever have to worry about your data being stolen or lost. Just be sure to have an internet connection, and you’ll have instant access to your files virtually anywhere.

Backup Data by Printing It Out

On the surface, this may seem like a rather unorthodox choice for “backing up” your data. However, if you are a person that has an abundance of documents that are taking up space on your computer, it may be wise to print them out.

Printing out your documents and physically storing them in a cabinet or folder allows you to always have a hard copy available. In the event that your computer becomes inaccessible, you’ll be glad to have your main documents obtainable in physical fashion. This will, of course, not work for other types of digital files, but it is ultimately a life saver if you are a busy wordsmith!

Backup Data by Burning to a Disc

If you thought that printing out your information was too old-school, then consider this as an extremely old-school method. Although we have made leaps and bounds in our data-storing capabilities, burning your files to a CD, DVD, or Blu-Ray disc is still a great way to back up your digital information.

Like the method of printing, you are able to safely keep these discs in a second location for ease of access. It may be a bit more time-consuming than other options, but drive failure is not something you’ll have to worry about. Don’t discount the old methods; they are still just as reliable!

Every way to backup your data comes with its own set of pros and cons. However, as our technology advances, so too does its security capabilities. Don’t be afraid to invest in your iCloud; your data is precious and deserves to be backed up to a safe location!