Data Backup Digest

The 3-2-1 rule is golden when it comes to backup: have three copies of data, on two different media, with one of those copies being off-site. This should be the minimum that businesses strive for when it comes to protecting their data.

Acronis are trying to make that easier with the new version of their backup software, Acronis True Image 2020. This is their tool aimed at home offices and small businesses (along with the regular consumer) and the latest version has a feature called Dual Protection.

Dual Protection automatically replicates your local backup copy into the cloud when performing the usual backup process. This quickly and efficiently satisfies the 3-2-1 backup rule. Customers not only get a local copy of their data for speedy recovery, but also get the comfort and added benefit of having an off-site backup.

According to the chief marketing office at Acronis, True Image is used by 5.5 million people, with 70% of those users being small businesses or professional consumers (those with a good IT skill level). It’s not just large businesses that need to have their data backed up, nor are they the only ones susceptible to cyber-attacks – it can happen to any business of any size.

The latest version of the program also offers some other brand new features. Notifications can be sent to the desktop tray, power management settings can be applied to preserve laptop battery, and specific Wi-Fi networks can be designated as safe for cloud backup. These are nothing ground-breaking, but are all handy features that will appeal to power users who like customising.

The program also includes something called Active Protection, which uses artificial intelligence to detect when unwanted data changes have been made, which is a sign of unauthorised encryption – something that ransomware attackers make use of.

The backup software marketplace is a competitive one, with competitors like Carbonite, Backblaze and CrashPlan all vying for a slice of the pie. But it’s likely that small businesses will learn towards whoever offers the simplest and most cost effective solution.

Small businesses often don’t have the IT resources to implement or maintain the data infrastructure you’d find at a larger business, even if they understand the benefit of things like multiple clouds. That’s why Acronis is hoping to capture more of the market share with the inclusion of their 3-2-1 feature, to make backup as easy as possible for its consumers.

True Image is available at a one-time price of $49.99, but that doesn’t come with the cloud and the 3-2-1 rule compliance. For that, you’ll need to pay $49.99 a year, which gives 250GB of storage in the cloud. It’s a shame that the 3-2-1 protection doesn’t come as standard, but it’s understandable considering the cost of maintaining cloud storage.

There’s also a more advanced price plan at $99.99 a year, which includes blockchain-based data certification and electronic signature capabilities – both useful and strong features, though perhaps not enough to entice many to the additional $50 price tag.