The 3 2 1 backup rule

The rule

You need three copies on two different media with one of them being off-site.

Explanation

Let’s break it down.

Three copies

This is self explanatory.

Two different media

This means we can combine cloud storage, external hard drive, (tape storage)[]…

Off-site

Self explanatory is well. If your site burns down, you don’t all of your files going with it. So you just put one of the medias off-site.

Conclusion

1. You get your file
2. You create 2 copies
3. You store one of those on … and the other on … and the third on on …
   1. your PC
   2. cloud
   3. external drive / nas
   4. tape storage
4. You put one of those somewhere else (your office, a garage, …)