Emergency Planning Tip: Backup Your Computer
An important part of your emergency planning should be backing up your important data. In the event of an evacuation, you may not have time to grab your computer or phone. Having a backup of all your important data can provide additional peace of mind in the event of an emergency.
External storage options to consider
Backing up your important data such as photos and videos can be done through cloud storage or an external hard drive. Cloud storage allows you to upload and save your data off-site via the internet. Once you’ve uploaded your data you can access it anytime you have access to the internet. External hard drives plug directly into your computer and data can be transferred and stored.
Let's take a look at the pros and cons of Cloud Storage and External Hard Drives.
Cloud Storage Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Access to your important data from just about anywhere.
- Low-cost cloud storage providers.
- Data Encryption for better security.
Cons:
- Requires access to the internet.
- The Cloud Storage provider could be down for maintenance.
- Could Storage can be vulnerable to hacking attempts.
External Hard Drive (HDD or SSD) Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Portable and easy to carry.
- Low-cost depending on the storage capacity. HDDs are typically more cost-effective but slower.
- Less vulnerable to hacking attempts.
Cons:
- Cost increases based on storage capacity.
- Could become corrupt due to failure.
- Drives need to be connected to a computer to access data.
Recommended Cloud Storage Options
Apple icloud for Apple Devices
Recommended External Hard drive Storage Options
Summary
Having a way to back up your important data is an important and overlooked step when emergency planning. Whether it’s cloud storage or an external hard drive both offer additional peace of mind that your important files are safe. Cloud Storage provides the flexibility of accessing your files from just about anywhere. External hard drives offer a great portable option if you prefer to keep your files nearby in your emergency kit. It is vital to have an emergency plan and we hope this information helps you during that process.