Safeguard Your Business Data: Don’t Let Hurricanes or Hackers Destroy Your Success
Don’t Let Hurricanes or Hackers Blow Away Your Success
New Orleans and most of Louisiana knows how to weather a storm. From August to October, we’re all too familiar with the threat of hurricanes and the chaos they can bring. But as you’re battening down the hatches and making sure your business is prepared for whatever comes, there’s one thing that might slip your mind: protecting your business data.
Not worried about a hurricane or hackers? How about a power-surge or regular old busted pipe that floods your office or home.
We’re not talking just about your financials, HR files, or inventory lists. While those are crucial, let’s not forget the lifeblood of your business—your marketing information, advertising creative files, and sales leads. In the rush to secure your physical assets, don’t overlook the digital ones that keep your business running smoothly.
Why Your Marketing and Sales Data Needs Protection
It’s easy to focus on the obvious: your business-related files that deal directly with operations. But what about the materials that drive your business forward? Imagine losing all your client proposals, ad campaigns, or social media strategies in one fell swoop. Starting from scratch isn’t just frustrating—it’s expensive and time-consuming.
Think about the value of your sales leads. Those contacts and opportunities didn’t come easy. If they vanish, you’re not just losing data; you’re losing potential revenue. The same goes for your marketing assets. The content you’ve carefully crafted over time—whether it’s visuals, copy, or entire campaigns—is part of your brand’s identity. Losing it means losing a piece of your business’s soul.
Multiples Backups: Your Best Defense.
We all know the importance of backups, but when was the last time you thought about your backup strategy? Many businesses make the mistake of relying on a single backup, but that’s not enough in a world where hurricanes and hackers are equally threatening.
Here’s a quick checklist for a robust backup strategy:
- On-Site Backups
Keep a local copy of your data on physical drives or a secure server in your office. It’s quick and easy to access, but remember, if a hurricane hits, this backup could be at risk. - Off-Site Backups
Store another copy of your data at a different physical location, preferably far from your main office. This could be in another city or even another state, ensuring it’s safe from local disasters. - Cloud Backups
Use a reputable cloud storage service to keep a copy of your data accessible from anywhere. Cloud backups are a fantastic way to protect your data from physical damage, but make sure your cloud provider has strong security measures in place to protect against hackers. - Passwords and Access
Having backups is only useful if you can access them. Keep a secure, up-to-date list of all the necessary passwords and access codes. Consider using an encrypted password manager to keep everything organized and safe.
We’re Not Your IT Company, But We’ve Got Your Back!
As a design and advertising agency, we’re not here to manage your IT needs, but we do care about your success. The reason we’re bringing this up is that we’ve seen too many businesses overlook the need to back up their marketing and sales data. We don’t want to see anyone starting from scratch, especially not in the middle of hurricane season.
It’s all too easy to forget the intangible assets that make your business thrive. So as you’re preparing for this hurricane season, take a moment to ensure that your digital assets are just as secure as your physical ones. After all, a business can rebuild after a storm, but it’s much harder to recover lost data.
Vital Items to Always Have Backed Up
We are obsessed with keeping backups of all of or files. Here’s a list of critical files and information you should have backed up at all times:
- Client Proposals
Keep copies of all ongoing and future proposals. - Advertising Creative Files
All visual assets, including photos, videos, and design files. - Marketing Plans
Strategies, content calendars, and campaign blueprints. - Sales Leads and Contact Information
Your client database and any ongoing communication records. - Social Media Content
Drafts, schedules, and creative for all your social channels. - Website Files
Backup of your website, including content management systems and any custom coding.
By safeguarding these assets, you’re ensuring that no matter what comes your way, your business will be ready to bounce back. Make all of your files and valuable information hurricane-proof and hacker-proof this season.