Losing your business data can be devastating. It’s important to back up your files to ensure the smooth operation of your business.

Here are a few tips recommended by experts:

• Identify essential electronic and paper files. This might include documents your business needs for daily operations and others that must be kept for legal or regulatory purposes, such as licenses, insurance, databases, human resources documents, accounting records, written correspondence and emails.
• Back up devices. Use external storage or cloud services to back up operating systems, software and files on office computers, mobile devices, laptops and home computers used by remote staff.
• Automate. Look into services and settings on your devices to automatically back up files as often as at the end of each business day. Assign a staff member to be responsible for backing up files and checking them routinely to ensure data is accessible.
• Prepare a plan now in case you need to restore your files. Who will be involved? What is the process to make sure restoration is complete? What software, service or third-party vendor do you need?
• Maintain more than one copy. Store a copy of documents, electronic files and data onsite for easy access. Store a second copy offsite in case of hardware failure, fire, robbery or loss of internet access. Consider cloud services, which can be accessed from anywhere at any time.

Remember, backing up files today will keep you moving forward tomorrow.