1. Verify a sample
Open representative documents, photos, videos, databases, project files, and folders. Check the files that drove the recovery, not just a few easy ones.
After data recovery
Protect the data we just recovered.
Recovery is a major step. The next step is making sure those files do not become the only copy on one computer, one external drive, or one NAS.
- Verify files
- Make separate copies
- Keep one copy off-site
- Test restoration
First 24 hours
Four safe next steps.
2. Make a separate copy
Copy the recovered data to a healthy storage device with enough free space. Do not use the failed drive as the new backup.
3. Preserve the original copy
Keep one untouched copy until you are confident the working copy and backup copy are complete and readable.
The practical standard
Use 3-2-1 as a starting point.
For important personal or business data, aim for three copies, on two different types of storage, with at least one copy off-site.
- Working copy: the files you use day to day.
- Separate local copy: an external backup drive or a second storage system.
- Off-site copy: cloud, managed backup, or another location that is not exposed to the same theft, fire, power event, or ransomware incident.
- Version history: older versions help with accidental deletion, corruption, and files encrypted before anyone notices.
NAS and RAID
What NAS and RAID 1 can—and cannot—do.
A NAS can be a useful central storage and backup destination. RAID can improve availability. Neither one replaces an independent backup.
NAS: convenient central storage
A NAS can hold shared files, snapshots, and backup jobs for several computers. Protect it with strong accounts, updates, limited remote exposure, separate backup media, and tested restores.
RAID 1: a mirror, not a backup
RAID 1 writes the same data to two disks. If one disk fails, the mirror may keep the system running. But accidental deletion, ransomware, a bad update, controller failure, theft, fire, or file-system damage can affect both copies.
RAID 5/6/10 and rebuilds
Parity or striping can provide resilience and capacity, but a degraded array is not a safe backup. Do not start a rebuild, replace several members, initialize disks, or change drive order if important data is at risk.
Better protection for a NAS
Back up NAS data to separate media or a separate service, keep versions, isolate at least one copy from normal administrator access, and perform a real restore test. Store the array layout and recovery instructions somewhere safe.
Hardening the setup
Reduce the next failure’s blast radius.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication for email, cloud, NAS, hosting, and administrator accounts.
- Use unique passwords and keep recovery codes in a protected password manager.
- Keep computers, NAS firmware, backup software, and browsers updated.
- Limit who can delete backups or change retention settings.
- Keep at least one backup disconnected, offline, immutable, or otherwise protected from the same ransomware event.
- Write down device models, backup destinations, restore steps, and who is responsible for checking them.
Canadian-based Critical Data Backup
Automatic protection for about a dollar a day.
We help you build a practical 3-2-1 backup plan: an on-site copy for quick recovery, plus encrypted off-site backup in Canada for protection when the unexpected happens.
- Encrypted off-site backup: your important files are automatically secured away from your office or home.
- Local on-site backup: we arrange a local copy so everyday restores are faster and your plan is not dependent on one location.
- Human monitoring: a person checks the backup each week to make sure it is still running properly.
- Private by design: you control restoration. We cannot view your file contents from our end.
FAQ
After-care questions
Is RAID 1 a backup?
No. RAID 1 mirrors changes to both disks. It helps with availability when one disk fails, but it does not protect against deletion, ransomware, theft, fire, or shared corruption.
How many copies should I keep?
Keep a working copy, a separate local copy, and an off-site or managed copy. Then verify that selected files can actually be restored.
Can Aceon help with backup?
Yes. Request a critical data backup conversation and include the computers, NAS, websites, and files you need protected.