17/04/2025

What is Data Backup & Why is it Essential for Businesses?

In a modern business environment, data powers everything from customer details and financial records to staff files and internal systems.

But what happens when that engine splutters to a stop due to data loss?

Whether it's from cyberattacks, accidental deletion, or hardware failure, losing data can grind operations to a halt, damage customer trust, and cost thousands in downtime. That's why having a solid data backup plan isn't just a tech best practice: it's a business survival strategy. In this blog, we'll explain what data backup is, why it's absolutely critical for businesses, the types of backup strategies available, and how Treken can help you put the right system in place.

What Is Data Backup?

Data backup is the process of creating secure copies of your business data so it can be recovered in the event of loss, corruption, or disaster. Think of it as a safety net that keeps your digital assets protected.

There are a few common methods businesses use:

Local Backup: Data is stored on physical devices such as external hard drives or network-attached storage (NAS) systems.
Cloud Backup: Data is saved to secure, remote servers via the internet, offering flexibility and off-site protection.
Hybrid Backup: A combination of both local and cloud backup for maximum resilience and accessibility.

Typically, businesses back up:

Files and documents
Databases
Emails
System settings and configurations
Application data

These backups can be scheduled regularly and automated to reduce the risk of human error, ensuring your data is always protected.

Why is Data Backup Essential for Businesses?

Data loss can strike without warning, and the consequences can be severe.

Common threats include:

Hardware failure
Cyberattacks, such as ransomware
Human error, like accidental deletion
Natural disasters like fires or floods

These incidents can cause major disruption, including:

Extended downtime and operational paralysis
Financial losses due to missed revenue and emergency recovery costs
Damage to your brand reputation and loss of customer trust

In contrast, a reliable data backup strategy offers critical benefits:

Business Continuity

A well-managed backup system ensures you can restore key systems quickly, minimising disruption.

Cyber Resilience

With cybercrime on the rise, backups are your last line of defence (especially in ransomware attacks, where criminals demand payment to unlock encrypted data).

Legal Compliance

Many UK industries are subject to legal data retention and protection regulations. Regular backups support your compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and other standards such as those listed in the Data Protection Act 2018.

For example, some sectors like finance, healthcare, and education, must retain data for set timeframes to meet regulatory or contractual obligations.

Peace of Mind

Knowing your business-critical data is backed up securely reduces stress and gives you confidence in your continuity plan.

Did you know? According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), nearly 40% of small businesses have experienced a cyberattack in the last year, with data loss being one of the most common consequences.

Types of Data Backup Strategies

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to backup. The right strategy depends on your data volume, risk level, and business operations.

Here are the most common types:

Full Backup

A complete copy of all your data. Simple and comprehensive, but time-consuming and storage-intensive.

Incremental Backup

Only backs up data that has changed since the last backup (whether full or incremental). This method is efficient in terms of time and storage.

Differential Backup

Backs up all changes made since the last full backup. Quicker to restore than incremental backups, but larger in size over time.

Many businesses opt for a hybrid approach, using full backups weekly with incremental ones daily. Automation plays a key role in this: ensuring consistency and reliability without draining your internal resources.

How Treken Can Support Your Data Backup Needs

At Treken, we understand how vital your data is, especially for businesses across Dorset and the South of England, where digital resilience is essential to day-to-day operations. That's why we offer tailored data backup and recovery services designed to suit the size, structure, and needs of your business.

Our services include:

Whether you're just starting your backup journey or looking to upgrade an outdated system, we're here to help you build a safer, more resilient business.

The benefits of managed IT support

In an increasingly on-line world, reliable, up-to-date IT is essential to any business that wants to survive. So, give your business the time and support it needs to thrive with managed IT Support. As IT is at the core of all we do here at Treken, leading providers of quality IT solutions, our experts run through 4 of the main benefits of what managed IT support can do for you./about-us/why-choose-us

TESTIMONIALS.

“As our long-term IT support partner, Treken has provided a service that has consistently been prompt, efficient and trustworthy. We would recommend them without hesitation to other companies.”

- Serena McLeod, Finance Manager - Planet Education – sports coaching company

“We have been working with Treken for the past 11 years, their support service is comprehensive and problems are resolved quickly by a friendly, knowledgeable team. In the past year, Treken have been assisting us in reviewing and updating our IT infrastructure to enable us to achieve the Cyber Essentials certification. Treken also assist us with the sourcing and supplying of hardware and disposal of equipment when needed”
- Suzanne, Head of Director Services - The Property Franchise Group

“eLearning For You have used Treken since we were founded 10 years ago. Trevor and his team have a thorough knowledge of the IT industry and are well respected. They provide clear and concise advice and are able to take apply a commercial attitude with their client's best interests in mind. We would have no hesitation in recommending Trevor and his team to prospective clients.”
- Portia, Project Manager - eLFY Training

“Treken has been our IT solutions partner for over 8 years now. They have been excellent to work with and we have develop lots of trust over the years. Their advice for projects, upgrades and maintenance is always well considered and highly professional. On a day to day basis they also provide IT support for us. They are extremely quick to respond and IT or network related issues are resolved swiftly. I would recommend Treken to anyone who is looking for a highly professional and extremely knowledgeable IT Partner.”
- Clemens Pein, Director - Shopfitting Warehouse

“Treken's IT support and advice has been fundamental to us over 12 years. Great service, giving us peace of mind and security.”
- Dr Durwyn Liley, Director - Footprint Ecology

“We have been working with Treken for a few years now, and Ken and his team have been very helpful in recommending, procuring and installing our IT equipment. They have also set up our continuous monitoring and backup facility to keep the business running smoothly. Ken’s team are always at hand to assist our non-technical staff in setting up new user accounts, and connecting them to our Microsoft 365 cloud. Treken have helped save me a lot of time when we have had glitches on our It systems, and have rapidly fixed those problems with no fuss, I would definitely recommend that you make Treken part of you It solution.”
- Phil Whitehurst, CEO, Actisense

“Having dealt with Treken for over 12 years; I would not hesitate to recommend Treken as an IT provider. Their technical support, industry knowledge & all-round customer service has been invaluable in supporting the growth of our company.”

Gary Coates, Managing Director, Gary Duncan Merchanting Ltd

“Involve have worked with Treken for over 10 years and that partnership is a testament to the Treken team and how they have always gone above and beyond to meet our business requirements.”

- Gareth Hughes, IT Manager - Involve Visual Collaboration

"Treken are fantastic as they always reach out even before I know there is an issue and quickly connected and rectified this once, I contacted them in reply, great work as always."

"My keyboard was not working and Treken helped me to reset my local network password and get back into my computer. Excellent service."

"As always, a fast response and issue resolved perfectly."

"Quick response and sorted the problem."

"Treken were very efficient, and update was very quick. They also checked that all tills were working post update."

"Very quick response to request to reset login details."

What is Data Backup & Why is it Essential for Businesses?

What Is Data Backup?

Why is Data Backup Essential for Businesses?

Business Continuity

Cyber Resilience

Legal Compliance

Peace of Mind

Types of Data Backup Strategies

Full Backup

Incremental Backup

Differential Backup

How Treken Can Support Your Data Backup Needs

The Business Benefits of a VoIP Phone System

Why should you outsource your IT support?

The benefits of managed IT support

TESTIMONIALS.

CASE STUDIES.

Case Study: WiFi Solution to assist with Admissions and Payments at Poole Harbour Festival

Point-to-point Wireless Link Installation for Burns Hamilton

Case Study: Salterns Marina WiFi

Bartlett Contractors - Full IT Infrastructure Overhaul