Backup Software for Windows 11: Assessing Your Needs & Evaluating Options
If you need to back up data from your Windows 11 device for business or personal reasons, you can find a number of backup software options on the market today. While there are many different types of backup software for Windows 11, you could miss out on the right solution if you don’t evaluate your backup needs first.
How to Assess Your Windows 11 Backup Software Options
As you determine the right Windows 11 backup software for you, the following are some questions you’ll need to answer before choosing a backup software solution:
1. Do You Need to Back Up Personal or Work Files?
When you’re searching for backup software, you’ll need to identify whether you’re backing up personal or work files. Since some personal backup solutions won’t be as secure or don’t have enough backup space for work uses, it’s best to check who the provider’s intended customer is.
If you need to back up work and personal files, choosing a provider that offers both personal and work-related backup services will likely serve your needs best.
2. How Much Data Do You Plan to Back Up?
Backup solutions vary in how much data they allow users to back up to their clouds. If you only think you’ll need a gig of backup space, a provider that restricts the amount of data you can store might be more affordable.
However, most users will likely need more space, and their backup needs will grow as time passes. Due to the need for more space, it’s usually better to pick a provider that offers unlimited space for backups or the option to upgrade to more space.
3. Do You Need to Follow Any Compliance Standards?
If you need to back up data for your business, check if the data is subject to compliance standards, such as the GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and UK Data Protection Act.
Typically, compliance standards relate to how data is accessed, deleted, and encrypted, so if your data falls under any compliance standards, make sure your backup solution helps you comply with them.
4. How Often Do You Need to Back Up Your Data?
Another factor to consider is how often you need to back up your data. Typically, it’s a good idea to back up both personal and work data every 15 to 30 minutes, as a longer time between backups can result in a significant loss of data.
To avoid having to recreate your work, choose a provider that automatically backs up your data every few minutes. Additionally, steer clear of solutions that require manual backups, as this introduces the risk of human error.
5. Will Your Backup Data Be Encrypted and Secure?
Whenever you back up sensitive personal or business data, you need a secure backup solution. A highly secure backup solution will encrypt your data to ensure it isn’t readable by anyone but you, even if an unauthorized party gains access. As a result, it’s essential your backup solution encrypts your data both in transit and at rest.
Other security features to search for include audit logs, access controls, multi-factor authentication, and permanent deletion following the end of your subscription.
6. Where Does the Backup Solution Store Your Files?
A key factor in determining the most secure backup solution, is where the backup software stores your backup files. In case of a disaster or malware, it’s a safer choice to choose a backup software provider that backs up your files to their secure cloud rather than to file folders on your device.
If the device is damaged or infected with malware, you’ll want your backup files stored away from your device to avoid losing your backups or becoming reinfected.
7. Is the Backup Software Compatible With Windows 11?
While this requirement is fairly obvious, some types of backup software only work on certain operating systems. If the backup software doesn’t work with Windows 11, it won’t fit your needs.
Additionally, it’s usually best to choose a solution that works on Apple, Windows, and Linux operating systems, as you may switch devices in the future, and you won’t want to switch backup providers due to a new OS.
How to Pick Backup Software for Windows 11
After you’ve answered the above questions, you’ll be in a better position to select a type of backup software that fits your needs. Endpoint backup solutions tend to be right for both business and personal uses. These solutions back up files directly from your endpoints (e.g., your laptop or desktop computer) and keep them in a secure off-site environment. As long as the endpoint backup solution meets the needs you’ve determined, it should keep your files backed up and safe from data loss.
Choose CrashPlan for Personal and Business Endpoint Backup Solutions
Whether you need to back up personal information or business documents on your Windows 11 computers, CrashPlan has you covered. As a leading endpoint backup solution provider, we offer plans perfect for both personal users and businesses. Whatever plan you select, CrashPlan will back up your files every fifteen minutes and securely store them in our off-site services. Our solutions are user-friendly, offer unlimited versioning, and provide low-cost upgrades for greater cloud backup space.
Learn more about our endpoint backup solutions for business or personal use today. If you’d like to try our endpoint backup solutions, please sign up for our free trial.
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