The following text is provided by WD and published verbatim.
After the summer break, it is time to settle back into routine. Early alarms, busy schedules and everyday tasks return as students and professionals alike are preparing to dive back into their study and work habits. Yet amid all this (re)found structure, one important routine is often overlooked: backing up data.
Why Data Backups Need to be Part of the Routine
Just as sharpening pencils or organizing files is part of getting ready for the season, safeguarding digital information should be too. From texts and projects to photos, videos, and administrative documents, much of today’s work and personal life exists in digital form. But what happens when this data is lost?
Data loss can strike for many reasons, most commonly hardware or system failures (67%) and human error (14%), such as dropped laptops, accidental deletions, or overwriting important files. Without a backup, valuable work may be gone forever. Reliably securing data, however, can ensure that materials, projects, and documents remain safe, providing not just protection but also peace of mind.
Still, despite these benefits, backups remain underused in the UK. A survey by Western Digital found that nearly 21% of respondents in the country do not back up their files. The main reasons: not knowing how to start (35%) or not recognizing its importance (26%).
The good news is that creating a backup routine is far easier than many expect. Just as daily exercises or review sessions reinforce learning, setting up simple, regular backup processes strengthen digital safety and reduces stress in worst-case-scenarios.
Choosing the Right Backup Solution
Given the wide range of storage options, it can be challenging to find the right fit for individual needs. Storage experts like Western Digital recommend following the 3-2-1 backup rule as a reliable foundation: keep three copies of the data on two different storage technologies, with at least one copy stored out-of-home or office.
Here are three complementary options:
- Cloud: Using a cloud service provider (CSP) offers scalability, cost efficiency (pay-as-you-go), easy access across devices, collaboration features, and disaster recovery through off-site, automatic backups.
- Network-Attached Storage (NAS) & home cloud: Ideal for users who want fast local access and full physical control over their data. NAS systems provide improved data protection and potentially lower long-term costs (compared to recurring cloud subscriptions). Entry-level NAS systems often include two to four bays configurable in different RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) setups. RAID 1 for data mirroring, for example, creates an exact copy of the information on multiple hard disk drives (HDDs), helping to avoid data loss in the event of a single hard drive failure. NAS-optimized, hot-swappable HDDs like the WD Red Pro drives with up to 26TB allow users to scale these entry-level systems with ease, depending on the individual storage needs.
- External HDDs: A practical, portable, and affordable choice for personal backups and data transfers. Slim, durable drives, like the WD My Passport HDDs with up to six terabytes (TB) provide plenty of space to carry photos, videos, music, and important documents. Considering that one high-quality JPEG image comes with an average of 5 Megabyte (MB), 6TB can store around 1.2 million photos. That’s like taking a photo every day for more than 3000 years. Added features, like the included Acronis® True ImageTM for Western Digital software help fortify important files and protect valuable information against data loss caused by ransomware attacks. On top, password protection and built-in 256-bit AES encryption safeguard pictures, videos, and documents further.
Once the right mix of solutions is in place, the key to success is turning that setup into a consistent routine. After all, the best backup strategy only works when it’s practiced regularly.
From Back-to-Routine to Backup Routine
With routines settling back into place, reliable storage and a good plan are only half the solution. It’s consistency is what truly protects your files. Just as everyday habits help keep life organized, a few simple practices can make backup part of your regular rhythm:
- Set a weekly reminder: Treat backups like any other recurring task. Schedule manual or automated backups just as you would a weekly planner update.
- Keep it simple: Automate when possible. For example, Western Digital external HDDs include software that allows you to set backup times and frequency, so the process runs quietly in the background.
- Stay organized: Clear folder structures and logical file names speed up recovery, reduce duplicates, and save storage space.
While getting back to school, university, or work can be demanding, protecting important files doesn’t have to be. With the right storage mix and a few manageable habits, you can secure your past and future digital life effortlessly. Making backup a “back-to-routine” habit not only safeguards your work but also frees up mental space, letting you focus on the things that truly matter.
