Why 60% Of Data Backups Fail Businesses When They Need Them Most
From cyberattacks and server crashes to natural disasters and accidental deletion, there’s no shortage of reasons to back up your business data. But there’s a troubling reality most companies overlook: 60% of data backups fail, and nearly half of all recovery attempts don’t work.
According to Avast’s latest disaster recovery data, businesses lose an average of 79 minutes of uptime per incident, costing over $84,000 per hour in downtime-related losses.
The message is clear: If your backups fail, your business fails with them.
Let’s explore why backups fall short—and how to create a strategy that will actually protect your data when it matters most.
Why Backups Fail: Common Causes You Shouldn’t Ignore
Many businesses believe that simply “having a backup” is enough. But the real challenge lies in ensuring those backups are complete, secure, and restorable. Here’s where most go wrong:
🧱 1. Cheap or Unreliable Backup Products
Free or low-cost backup tools often cut corners on security and performance. They might work fine on the surface—but when it’s time to restore your data, they can leave you empty-handed.
🕐 2. Poor Backup Timing
Backing up during peak business hours can lead to incomplete files and missed data. If backups run while systems are changing rapidly, corruption and gaps are likely.
🔄 3. Compatibility Conflicts
As your systems evolve, your backup software needs to evolve with it. Outdated tools may not support your current applications or file formats—leading to restore failures.
🧍 4. Human Error
Misconfigured backups, ignored alerts, and accidental deletions all lead to lost data. Backups require proactive attention—not just automation.
The Cost of Failed Backups
Aside from costly downtime, failed backups can create compliance risks, particularly for businesses in regulated industries like finance and health care. Noncompliance with data retention rules can result in:
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Hefty fines
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Legal exposure
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Loss of customer trust
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Damage to your reputation
How To Build a Backup Strategy That Actually Works
Backups are your business’s safety net—but only if they’re done right. Here are the best practices every SMB should follow:
✅ 1. Choose a Reliable Backup Solution
Don’t just pick the biggest name—pick the right fit. Ask your IT provider:
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Is the data stored locally, in the cloud, or both?
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How fast can you restore files after a disaster?
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Are your backups immutable (can’t be altered by ransomware)?
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Do the backups meet your industry’s compliance standards?
✅ 2. Follow the 3-2-1 Rule
This tried-and-true backup method recommends:
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3 copies of your data
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2 different types of storage (e.g., external hard drive and cloud)
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1 copy stored off-site (in case of fire, flood, or cyberattack)
This drastically reduces the risk of complete data loss.
✅ 3. Monitor Backups Daily
Make sure someone is reviewing your backup logs every day—whether it’s your internal team or your managed IT provider.
Ask for a weekly or monthly summary report so you can verify backups are running successfully.
✅ 4. Test Restores Regularly
Think of this like a fire drill. Every few months, test your ability to recover specific files—or even an entire system. This ensures:
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The backups actually work
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Your team knows the process
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You can minimize downtime during a real emergency
Don’t Let Backups Be the Weakest Link
Backups aren’t glamorous—but when disaster hits, they’re your last line of defense. A flawed or outdated backup strategy can result in lost data, costly downtime, and irreversible damage.
Ready To Test Your Backup Strategy?
Let’s find out if your business is truly protected. Start with a FREE Network Security & Backup Assessment to evaluate your current solution, test restore capabilities, and close any gaps before it’s too late.
