Proper business data backup to recover from any disaster

How do I back up my business data properly so I can recover from anything? We hear that exact question a lot when a client’s server crashes or a ransomware notice pops up. The short answer: combine a local copy you can grab off‑site with a cloud service that stores encrypted snapshots. That way you can pull a file from a USB stick if the internet is down, or restore an entire system from the cloud if the office burns down. What backup options are realistic for a UK small business? There are four main routes that actually work in day‑to‑day trading environments: External hard drive (USB‑3/USB‑C) – Plug‑and‑play, no network required. Ideal for a single PC or a small server that you can shut down nightly and copy files to a 4‑TB drive. Network‑attached storage (NAS) – A dedicated box on your LAN that runs RAID‑1 or RAID‑5 for redundancy. You can schedule hourly snapshots and pull them over the network. Cloud backup service – A subscription that stores encrypted data in a data centre. Examples include Backblaze B2, Carbonite, or the Microsoft 365 backup add‑on. You never touch the hardware again. Hybrid (local + cloud) – Use a NAS for quick restores and a cloud service for off‑site protection. This is the only approach that covers hardware failure, theft, fire and ransomware. How much should I expect to spend on each option? Pricing in the UK varies, but here are typical ball‑park figures for a business with around 10 users and 5 TB of critical data: External drive: £80–£150 for