For any small business, your data is one of your most valuable assets. Your customer lists, financial records, emails, and project files are the lifeblood of your company. Now, ask yourself a critical question: what would happen if it all vanished tomorrow? A hardware failure, a ransomware attack, or even a simple accidental deletion could be catastrophic. That’s why a solid backup strategy isn’t just a good idea—it’s a non-negotiable part of modern business. This guide will explain the three essential types of data backups every small business needs to be truly protected.
1. On-Premise (Onsite) Backups
This is the most traditional form of backup and the one people are most familiar with. An on-premise backup involves creating a copy of the data from your physical servers, desktops, and laptops and storing it on a separate device located at your office, such as an external hard drive or a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device.
Why it’s important: Onsite backups are the fastest way to recover a single lost file or even restore an entire computer after a hardware crash. Because the data is stored locally, you don’t need an internet connection to access it, and restores are incredibly fast. However, an onsite backup is only one piece of the puzzle, as it’s still vulnerable to local disasters like fire, flood, or theft.
2. Cloud & SaaS Backups (for Microsoft 365)
Many businesses assume that because their email and files are in Microsoft 365, Microsoft is backing them up. This is a dangerous misconception. Microsoft operates on a “Shared Responsibility Model”—they are responsible for keeping their service running, but you are responsible for protecting your own data within that service.
Why it’s important: A dedicated Software as a Service (SaaS) backup for your Microsoft 365 data protects you from the most common forms of data loss: accidental deletion, ransomware attacks that encrypt your cloud files, and even departing employees who maliciously delete data. This service creates a separate, independent copy of your emails, OneDrive, and SharePoint files, ensuring you always have a way to restore them.
3. Managed Offsite Backups (Backup as a Service)
This is the modern, hassle-free approach that provides the ultimate level of protection. A managed backup service combines the speed of onsite backups with the security of offsite cloud storage, all managed by an expert partner.
As a certified Veeam partner with a focus on small business, this is the solution we provide and recommend. We leverage Veeam’s industry-leading technology to offer Backup as a Service (BaaS). Instead of buying expensive hardware and complex software, you pay a predictable monthly fee for a fully managed solution. We take care of backing up both your onsite and Microsoft 365 data, storing it securely in an offsite data center.
Why it’s important: This model protects your business from a total site-wide disaster. It requires minimal hardware investment from you and gives you the peace of mind that your data is being protected and monitored by certified professionals.
Conclusion: Building a Complete Strategy
A complete data protection strategy isn’t about choosing just one of these backups; it’s about layering them to create a resilient system. By combining fast local restores, dedicated protection for your cloud applications, and a managed offsite copy for disaster recovery, you can be confident that your business is protected from any eventuality. As a Veeam partner, we specialize in designing and implementing these comprehensive strategies for small businesses.