What Do Teachers, Parents, and Students Have in Common? The Need to Back Up

Our world has moved more online, and blackboards have taken a backseat to laptops in classrooms and lecture halls alike. From homework to lesson planning and grading, to communicating with students and parents, educators and students rely heavily on their computers and sync drives like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. And, when it comes to digital resources, there's always a risk of data loss, which, when it strikes, can wipe out hours or days of work.

This is where backup solutions come into play. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of computer backup for both students and educators, highlight the importance of choosing an affordable and reliable backup solution, and give you some talking points to help others in your educational community understand the importance of backing up.

Risks of data loss

Data loss can happen for a variety of reasons, including hardware failure, accidental deletion, theft, or cyber attacks.

Imagine this scenario: You've spent hours building a detailed lesson plan, preparing engaging multimedia presentations, and grading student assignments. Suddenly, your computer crashes, and you can't get it to turn back on. Or, you lose your USB drive that has years of work, including lesson plans. Both situations are not great and the result is that all of your hard work is gone in an instant.

Data loss is an issue for anyone, but for educators, the consequences can affect not only your work but also your students' learning experience. And the same scenario is true for students-working on a research project last minute only to have a blue screen of death five minutes before the deadline can be a frustrating turn of events-and one that affects your grade long-term.

The 3-2-1 backup rule

The good news about avoiding data loss is that there are some established best practices that can give you a great place to start. The most fundamental of these, the 3-2-1 backup rule, says you should have three copies of your data on two types of storage media with one copy stored off-site.

Sync is not backup

Sync services like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox are great, but they are not the same thing as a true backup. Sync drives are designed to keep all versions consistent with each other, which makes them vulnerable to things like accidental deletion and ransomware attacks. While some may have limited version history or "backup," those features are typically for a limited amount of time (i.e., 30 days), or are lacking in some of the key areas that schools need to maintain compliance with data protection standards.

Cloud backup services are using a different tool for a different job-you want your synced files to change, whereas you want your backup to be a fixed point in time you can restore if you need to. That's not to say that you won't have your backup files constantly up-to-date, like you do with an automatic backup solution, just that you'll be able to restore a file, or all of your files, to whatever time you choose.

And, if you think the difference is just splitting hairs, studies show that 58% of organizations that experienced data loss last year had some amount of unrecovered data. And, in that same pool of survey takers, 84% of organizations were relying on cloud sync services.

Benefits of backing up

1. Protection against data loss: The primary benefit of a backup solution is the protection it offers against data loss. By regularly backing up your files, you can ensure that your important documents are safe and can be restored quickly in case of any mishap, or even if you forget your laptop at home.
2. Enhanced productivity: With a reliable backup system in place, you can focus on what you're working on without worrying about it getting lost. This peace of mind allows you to work more efficiently and creatively, knowing that your files are secure.
3. Compliance and accountability: While not at the top of many student's minds, many educators know that educational institutions have policies and regulations regarding data storage and protection. Having a robust backup solution helps teachers, professors, and the organizations they work for stay compliant with these regulations.
4. Cost savings: Investing in a backup solution can save you money in the long run. Data recovery services can be expensive after the fact, and the time lost in trying to recreate lost work can be even more costly. An affordable backup solution provides a safety net that prevents these potential expenses.

Students: Back up your data regularly

Often, students are given space on cloud drives or required to submit assignments through learning management systems like Blackboard. But, even with cloud drives, many tools don't account for adequate backups. When it comes down to it, students are responsible for turning in their work on time.

Getting a backup in place protects you and all the effort you're putting into your coursework, and you can try it for free to see if it's right for you.

Educators and faculty members often drive change

Collaboration is one of the hallmarks of an educational environment, and educators and students are often just as responsible for driving change as administrators are. Whatever role you take in your educational community, there are many ways you can make to help others understand why backup is so crucial, and how to choose the tool that's right for you.

Choosing an affordable and reliable backup solution

When selecting a backup solution, affordability and reliability are key factors to consider. Here are some decision criteria you can share with others to help in choosing a backup solution:

• Assess your needs. Determine the amount of data you need to back up and how frequently it changes. This will help you choose a solution that meets your specific requirements without overpaying for unnecessary features.
• Cloud vs. local backup. Cloud-based backups offer the advantage of remote access and easy storage to a geographically separate location, while local backups (such as external hard drives) can provide faster recovery times. Both methods have a place in a solid 3-2-1 backup strategy.
• Ease of use. Look for a backup solution that is user-friendly and doesn't require extensive technical knowledge. The easier it is to use, the more likely you are to maintain regular backups.
• Security features. Ensure that the backup solution you choose has robust security features, such as encryption, to protect your data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
• Cost-effective plans. Many backup service providers offer tiered pricing plans based on storage needs and features, or are based on the number of devices you need protected. Backblaze Computer Backup, for example, starts at $9 per computer per month for unlimited backup, with discounts for one year or two year plans.

Save your data (and yourself!): Think about backups ahead of time

Remember, regardless of how you're creating data, the question isn't if you will experience data loss, but when. Be prepared and make backup a priority-if not in your organization, then definitely in your personal tech choices.

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