10 Backup and Disaster Recovery Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

When disaster strikes, whether it is a hurricane, power outage, cyberattack, or hardware failure, a solid backup and disaster recovery (BDR) plan is what separates companies that bounce back quickly from those that face prolonged downtime. Unfortunately, many businesses unknowingly make mistakes that put their data and operations at risk. Here are ten of the most common backup and disaster recovery mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Relying on a Single Backup Location

Storing all backups in one place creates a single point of failure. If your office is hit by a fire, flood, or theft, those backups are gone too. Always maintain at least one offsite or cloud-based copy.

2. Not Testing Backups Regularly

Many organizations assume their backups are working, only to find out during a crisis that files are corrupted or incomplete. Regular testing ensures backups can be restored quickly and completely.

3. Using Outdated Technology

Old tape drives, external hard drives, or legacy software may not provide the speed or reliability modern businesses need. Outdated systems also tend to fail at the worst possible time.

4. Ignoring RTO and RPO Goals

Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) define how quickly you must recover and how much data you can afford to lose. Not aligning your backup strategy with these goals can result in unacceptable downtime.

5. Forgetting About Cloud and SaaS Data

Cloud services like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace do not guarantee long-term backups of your data. Many businesses mistakenly believe their cloud data is fully protected, when in reality it still requires third-party backup solutions.

6. Storing Backups Without Security

Unencrypted backups or poorly protected storage devices are prime targets for cybercriminals. Ransomware can encrypt not only your live systems but also unsecured backup files. Always encrypt and secure your backup environment.

7. Neglecting Mobile Devices and Remote Workers

In today’s world of remote and hybrid work, data is stored on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. If your BDR strategy does not account for these devices, important files could be left unprotected.

8. Backing Up Too Infrequently

Running backups once a week is no longer sufficient. Data changes constantly, and even losing a few hours of work can be costly. Modern BDR systems offer near real-time backup to minimize data loss.

9. No Clear Disaster Recovery Plan

Backups are only part of the solution. Without a documented disaster recovery plan that outlines responsibilities, communication steps, and restoration procedures, recovery will be slow and disorganized.

10. Treating BDR as a One-Time Setup

Backup and disaster recovery is not “set it and forget it.” Your business evolves, new threats emerge, and technology changes. Failing to update and review your plan regularly leaves you vulnerable.

Protecting Your Business

Downtime is expensive and damaging to your reputation. By avoiding these common mistakes and working with a trusted IT partner, you can ensure your business stays resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.

At BIS, we help businesses design backup and disaster recovery strategies that meet their specific needs. Contact our team today to evaluate your current plan and see how we can strengthen your data protection.