A few years ago, my computer suffered a hard drive crash. I lost a lot of data pertaining to my business and finances, but worse yet, I lost all the photos of my wedding day and honeymoon. If I only had my data backed up, I would still be able to see those precious photos today.
Whether it’s your treasured family photos, important business documents, or critical software files, losing your data can be devastating. And the cost to recover your data could be astronomical, or in some cases impossible.
This is where backing up your data comes in, sure there are cloud services, but these usually come with hefty monthly subscriptions. Fortunately, there are Affordable Local Backup Solutions.
In this article, I’ll show you how you can secure your most precious data with cost-effective backup solutions, without draining your wallet. So let’s get to it!
First, let me explain what is meant by local backup. A local backup refers to storing copies of your data on physical devices that are easily accessible by you. These devices can be external hard drives or USB flash drives, that are kept in your immediate physical location.
Local backups are a good way to protect your data because they have a lot of benefits. One of the best things about it is that you have power over and protection of your data. When you use another backup option, like cloud backups, your data is stored on remote computers that are owned by someone else.
With local backups, you own your files, and can view them directly. This means you can get your data whenever you need it, without on the cloud service or having to rely on an Internet connection.
One of the best things about backing up locally, is faster recovery times of your files. You don’t have to wait for large files to download from a cloud server because your data is stored locally. In a business setting, where downtime can mean lost income and efficiency, this can be very important. And of course, local backups also don’t require subscription fees, which makes them a long-term cost-effective backup solution.
Common Misconceptions
There is the opinion, by some, that local backup solutions are out of date or too expensive. This misconception arises because they think cloud storage is more modern and efficient. Sure, they are certainly pros to using cloud based backups, but local backups have improved significantly over the years. Recent advancements have made them cheaper and easier to use than ever before.
Also, if you only use cloud storage, you might be exposed to data breaches, outages, and other problems that are beyond your control. By the end of this article, you’ll begin to appreciate that local backup solutions are both reliable, easy, cheap, and offer strong data protection without breaking the bank.
Affordable Local Backup Solutions
1. External Hard Drives
Usually when we talk about local backups, external hard drives first come to mind. External hard drives are one of the most common budget-friendly local backup options. They can easily connect to your computer using USB or another interface, making it very convenient to store large amounts of your data.
Benefits and Recommendations: When choosing an external hard drive, there are a few things you need to consider, namely the type and the size of the drive. HDDs (Hard Disk Drives)are generally cheaper and provide ample storage capacity, making them ideal for long-term backups.
They are available in sizes ranging from 500 GB to several terabytes, so you can pick the one that best fits your needs. On the other hand, SSDs (Solid State Drives) are faster and more durable but come at a higher cost per gigabyte. If speed and dependability are very important to you, you should get an SSD.
Pros:
High storage capacity: External hard drives can store a lot of data, making them suitable for full backups.
Portability: These drives are easy to carry around, allowing you to keep a copy of your data in a different physical location if you need to.
No ongoing costs: After you make your initial purchase, that’s it, there are no additional fees, making this a one-time investment.
Cons:
Prone to physical damage: External hard drives can be damaged by drops, water, or extreme temperatures, leading to potential data loss. So you need to ensure that your drive is kept safe at all times.
Can be lost or stolen: Their small size makes them easy to misplace, and if stolen, so is your data.
May need replacement over time: Over the years, HDDs may wear out, requiring you to replace them to ensure data integrity. That’s why, although SSD drives may be a bit more expensive, they do tend to last a lot longer.
2. Network-Attached Storage (NAS)
Network-Attached Storage (NAS) is an advanced but affordable local backup solution for homes or small businesses with several computers. NAS devices are basically small servers that connect to your home or office network, and can act as a private cloud.
NAS systems can be configured with RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) for data redundancy, ensuring that your data is protected even if one of the drives fail. The long-term benefits often beat the original cost, even if it is a little higher than external hard drives.
Pros:
Centralized storage for multiple devices: NAS devices allow all networked devices to back up data to the same location, simplifying data management and improving accessibility.
Scalability: As your storage needs grow, you can easily add more drives to your NAS. This is a simple way to expand your storage capacity without having to replace the entire system.
Customizable: NAS systems typically come with additional features like media streaming, remote access, and automated backups, which can be tailored to your specific needs.
Cons:
Higher initial cost: NAS devices tend to be a bit more expensive than simple external hard drives, especially when you consider the cost of the hard drives that need to be installed in the NAS.
Requires setup and maintenance: Setting up a NAS can be more complex, requiring knowledge of networking and ongoing maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly.
Potential security risks: If not properly configured, NAS devices can be vulnerable to network attacks, so it’s essential to implement robust security measures, such as strong passwords and firewall settings.
3. USB Flash Drives and Portable SSDs
For smaller and more portable backup needs, USB flash drives and portable SSDs offer a quick and affordable local backup solution. USB flash drives and compact SSDs are easy to carry around, and can be used as extra storage or to quickly back up smaller files like photos and short videos.
However, they can’t store large amounts of data as their capacity is generally small, but within recent times, the capacity of flash drives have increased significantly.
Portable SSDs, while more expensive than USB flash drives, offer faster data transfer speeds and have larger storage capacities. These features make them suitable for more intensive backup needs.
Best Practices: To maximize the lifespan of your USB flash drives and SSDs, store them in a safe, cool place when not in use. Keep them away from high temperatures or wet places, as these can damage them.
Pros:
Extremely portable: USB flash drives and portable SSDs are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around and store.
Easy to use: They are usually simple plug and play devices, so just plug them into your device, and you can start transferring files immediately, no special software required.
Fast transfer speeds (SSDs): Portable SSDs offer much faster data transfer speeds compared to traditional hard drives or USB flash drives. This is great when you want to quickly back up large files.
Cons:
Limited storage capacity: USB flash drives typically offer less storage space than external hard drives or NAS devices, making them less suitable for backing up large volumes of data. Although in recent times, their capacities have increased.
Prone to loss or damage: Their small size makes them easy to lose, and they can be damaged if not handled properly.
SSDs can be more expensive per Gigabyte: While portable SSDs offer excellent performance, they tend to be more expensive on a per-gigabyte basis compared to HDDs. Flash drives, however, tend to be cheaper.
4. DVDs and Blu-rays
While optical discs like DVDs and Blu-rays may seem like a thing of the past, they are still a viable option for those who prefer physical media backups.
They can be useful for archiving important documents or irreplaceable media. Keep in mind that these discs have relatively low storage capacities and are susceptible to physical damage.
Cost Considerations: Blu-rays and DVDs discs are very cheap, which makes them a great choice for cheap and secure local backups. One great use for them is to store information that doesn’t need to be accessed very often.
Tips for Effective Use: To ensure the longevity of your DVDs and Blu-rays, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Handle them by the edges to avoid scratching the surface, which can lead to data corruption.
Pros:
Immune to cyberattacks: Since DVDs and Blu-rays are physical media, they are not connected to the internet and are safe from any online threats like hacking or malware.
Low cost for small backups: DVDs and Blu-rays are inexpensive, making them a cost-effective option for backing up smaller amounts of data.
Long shelf life if stored properly: When stored correctly, these discs can last for many years, making them suitable for long-term storage.
Cons:
Limited storage capacity: DVDs typically hold 4.7 GB of data, while Blu-rays can hold 25 GB or 50 GB, which is much less than other digital storage options like hard drives or flash drives.
Inconvenient for large or frequent backups: Backing up large amounts of data or doing frequent backups can be cumbersome with optical discs, as it may require quite a lot of discs to complete the backup.
Potential degradation over time: If not stored properly, DVDs and Blu-rays can degrade, leading to data loss.
5. Using an Old Computer as a Backup Server
If you have old computers lying around your house, like I do, you can repurpose one as a backup server. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly local backup option, this can be one of the most cost-effective backup solutions.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Before you can use an old computer as a backup server, you need to wipe the drive of any files you don’t need. Next, install a fresh operating system that is optimized for storage, like a lightweight version of Windows or Linux distribution.
Next, connect the computer to your home network and set it up so that it can receive files from other devices. Lastly, install backup software to automate the process, and make sure your data is regularly sent to the server.
Benefits: This method not only saves money but also brings new life to old hardware. It’s an eco-friendly option that cuts down on electrical waste and provides a secure local backup storage.
Pros:
Cost-effective: By using an existing computer, you avoid the cost of purchasing any new backup hardware, making this a very budget-friendly solution.
Customizable: You can make the old computer work for your backup needs by running the right software and setting it up the way you like.
Environmentally friendly: Repurposing an old computer helps reduce electronic waste, making this an eco-friendly option.
Cons:
Requires technical knowledge: Setting up an old computer as a backup server, although not difficult to do, may require a little knowledge of networking and server management. Nothing YouTube can’t help you with.
Higher energy consumption: Older computers typically consume a bit more power than modern, energy-efficient devices, which could lead to higher electricity costs over time.
Potential hardware failure: Since the computer is old, some of its parts may be getting close to the end of their useful lifespan, which makes it more likely that hardware may fail. Here’s a tip, just ensure that the hard drive is working properly, so even if other components of the old computer fail, your data will be safe on the hard drive.
BACKUP SOLUTION
DESCRIPTION
PROS
CONS
External Hard Drive
High capacity storage devices for local backups
High storage capacity, portable, no ongoing costs.
Prone to physical damage, can be lost or stolen, may need replacement over time.
Network Attached-Storage (NAS)
Centralized storage accessible over a network.
Centralized storage for multiple devices, customizable, scalable.
Higher initial cost, requires setup and maintenance, potential security risks.
USB Flash Drives and Portable SSDs
Portable storage devices for smaller backups.
Extremely portable, easy to use, fast transfer speeds (SSDs)
Limited storage capacity, inconvenient for large or frequent backups, potential degradation over time.
DVDs and Blu-rays
Physical media for storing small amounts of data.
Immune to cyberattacks, low cost for small backups, long shelf life if stored properly.
Limited storage capacity, inconvenient for large or frequent backups, potential degradation over time.
Requires technical knowledge, higher energy consumption, potential hardware failure.
Setting Up Your Backup System
Backup Frequency
To keep your data as safe as possible, you should back it up regularly. How often you back up your data should depend on how important it is, and how often it changes.
For example, you should make backups every day if you’re working on critical business papers or projects. A weekly backup plan might be enough for information that isn’t very essential. Make a plan that works for you and stick to it, and remember to be consistent.
Backup Software
There are many free and low-cost software options available that can help you manage your local backups efficiently. With software like Cobian Backup and EaseUS Todo Backup, you can manage the backup process. This can make sure that your data is regularly moved to the storage device of your choice, without you having to do anything.
These tools also have features like incremental backups that save time and space by only copying files that have changed since the last backup. When choosing a software, look for features like file versioning, compression, and scheduling.
Encryption for Local Backups
To make sure that no one else can access your data, it’s a good idea to encrypt your local files. This adds an extra layer of protection even if your device is lost or stolen. A lot of backup tools have security features built in. Tools like VeraCrypt and BitLocker make it easy to encrypt your local backups. When you implement encryption, your data is protected by a password or key.
Best Practices for Local Backups
Redundancy
Redundancy is having multiple copies of your backup to make sure your data is completely safe. It means that if one copy fails, there is another one ready to take its place. One copy could be kept on an external hard drive, and the other could be kept on a NAS device. Or one copy stored at your site, and another in a secure off site location. In this way, you can still access your data even if any one of your devices fails.
Regular Testing
Creating backups is just the first step, you’ve also got to ensure they’re actually working. Make sure to regularly test your backups by trying to restore the files from them. It’s important to make sure your backups are functioning properly and that you can retrieve your data if something goes wrong.
Offsite Storage
While local backups are great for quick access and recovery, it’s also a good idea to keep a copy of your backup offsite, just in case. One option is to keep a backup drive at a reliable storage area, like a safe deposit box at your bank. Storing your data offsite can safeguard it from potential disasters such as fires, floods, or theft. This adds an extra layer of protection and peace of mind.
Beyond Local Backups
Local backups can be an affordable way to keep your data safe, but they can be even more effective when used in conjunction with other methods like cloud storage. With cloud backups, you can easily access your data from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
This becomes invaluable, especially if something happens to your local backups. Don’t forget to encrypt your cloud backups for that extra layer of security. And as mentioned before, it’s a good idea to regularly test both your local and cloud backups. This way, you can be sure they’re available whenever you need them.
Conclusion
We’ve looked at some Affordable Local Backup Solutions that can protect your data quite well without costing a lot of money. You can effectively and cheaply protect your data by using these methods.
This will keep your important files safe from both digital risks and physical damage. Keep in mind that data loss can be devastating, as I had found out, so don’t delay in taking action. Your peace of mind is worth the investment.
