What is the 3-2-1-1-0 Rule for Data Storage Strategy?

The 3-2-1-1-0 strategy for data storage refers to a set of rules experts advise to protect your information from all risks. This includes creating three copies of your data, using two different forms of storage media, having one copy offsite and housing one copy off-line. For the final step, companies should ensure that they have verified backup without errors. 

If you’re exploring data security and storage solutions, you may have come across the 3-2-1-1-0 rule and wondered what on earth everybody was talking about. This strategy is in place to help companies house their data as risk-free as possible by ensuring that multiple copies exist in multiple locations, so that if disaster strikes, you’re not left wondering how to retrieve your lost information.  

Three Copies of Your Data  

The 3-2-1-1-0 strategy states that you should house three copies of your data: 1 primary set of data and 2 backup copies.  

Your primary data is your active use information and needs to be readily available to be used, transferred and edited as required.  

Your first backup should be stored locally, such as on an on-site server.  

Backup number 2 however, should be stored off-site – this could be on a remote server on a different site, or it could be stored using cloud services, such as Wasabi, AWS or Azure.  

Two Different Storage Media 

Tying into your 3 locations, you should also make sure that your data is stored in two different types of media. For example, your local storage could be saved on anything from an external hard drive to a Network Attached Storage (NAS), or local server.  

Your offsite storage, in comparison, could be housed in the cloud, on a remote server or in another physical location. If choosing a cloud storage provider, ensuring you get the best deal is essential for keeping costs low whilst ensuring quality.  

One Copy Offsite  

Offsite data ensures that your data is secure if disaster strikes, whether it be a physical threat (such as fire, theft or natural disaster) or a cyber risk. You will still have access to your data in a remote location. With this in mind, ensuring that regular updates can take place between your primary data set and your offsite backup is essential for minimising the risk of data loss.  

One Copy Offline  

Online data sets are open to a range of cyber threats, including ransomware and hacking. By taking your information offline, such as onto an external hard drive, it is removed from online threats.  

Ensure Verified Backups with Zero Errors 

Verifying backups is an essential step to avoid any problems down the line. Backups should be monitored on a daily basis to keep an eye out for errors. Similarly, at intervals it’s important to perform restore tests, ensuring that if the data needs to be restored, it goes through without a problem.  

How to Implement the 3-2-1-1-0 Data Storage Rule 

To use this methodology and keep your data protected, we recommend following these steps:  

1. Keep your primary data well organised, up to date and backed up to minimise risks.  

1. Use software to automate backups to your local and remote data storage solutions – this ensures that human error doesn’t come in to play with forgetting.  

1. Choose a reliable cloud storage provider capable of meeting your demands if this is the route you’d like to go and make sure you automate backups.  

1. Periodically create backups for your offline storage.  

Benefits of the 3-2-1-1-0 System 

Data Redundancy  

Multiple copies of data create redundancy in case of system failures, accidental loss or cyber-attack.  

Data Security 

Resource recovery because a more manageable task and data is protected on all fronts.  

Data Accessibility 

Access to your data can be achieved through a variety of routes depending on your current situation and level of risk.  

Techbuyer’s Storage Solutions 

Techbuyer partners with leading suppliers of cloud storage solutions, as well as providing high-quality hardware for on-site storage infrastructure to help you achieve the 3-2-1-1-0 strategy.  

As a Wasabi partner, we can offer you free quotes and personalised advice on hot cloud storage solutions to advance your data housing strategy.  

Contact our team for more information or find out more here.