The 3-2-1 Backup Rule for Churches: A Simple Strategy to Protect Your Ministry's Data
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;”
-Proverbs 27:23 NIV
Introduction:
Your church’s data is precious. It includes sermon notes, giving records, member contact information, and so much more. Losing this information due to a computer crash, a fire, or even a simple accident would be devastating.
Thankfully, you don’t need to be a technology expert to protect it. There is a simple, proven strategy that professionals have used for years to keep data safe. It’s called the 3-2-1 Backup Rule, and it’s easy to understand.
With that said, let's cover this proven method for keeping data safe! 👊
What is the 3-2-1 Backup Rule?
The 3-2-1- rule is a simple recipe for data safety. It's a clear, actionable plan that removes the guesswork from protecting your important files. Here's how it breaks down.
Three Copies of Your Data
This means you should have your original file plus two extra copies. Having three copies makes it very unlikely that you will lose your data, because if one or even two copies are lost, you still have another one.
Two Different Kinds of Storage
The rule says you should keep your copies on a least two different types of storage media. This means you shouldn't keep all your copies on computer hard drives alone.
For example, you could have one copy on your computer's hard drive and another copy on a different kind of device, like a cloud server. This protects you if one type of technology fails.
One Copy Off-Site
This is the most important part of the rule. You must keep at least one of your backup copies in a different physical location. This is your "off-site" copy.
If there is a fire, flood, or theft at your church building, any computers and local backup drives could be destroyed. But your off-site copy will remain safe and sound.
Why This Simple Rule Is So Powerful
The 3-2-1 rule protects your ministry from all kinds of disasters, big and small.
It protects against hardware failure. If your main church computer crashes, you can restore all your files from one of your other copies.
It protects against accidents. If a volunteer accidentally deletes an important folder, you can easily get it back from a backup.
It protects against disaster. If something happens to your church building, your off-site backup ensures your ministry's data survives.
Following this rule means you are prepared for almost any scenario. It provides layers of protection that give you true peace of mind.
How Your Church Can Easily Follow the Rule
Managing multiple copies of data on different devices might sound like a lot of work. And doing it manually can be. But you don’t have to.
This is where a service can make all the difference. At Systems Shepherd, our secure backup service is designed to handle the hardest parts of the 3-2-1 rule for you, automatically.
Every day, our system creates a secure, encrypted copy of your data and stores it in our office. This instantly gives you your second type of media and your critical off-site copy, all without you having to do a thing. We take care of the "2" and the "1" so you don't have to worry.
Protecting your church’s data is a vital part of good stewardship. With the 3-2-1 rule and a trusted partner, you can be sure that the information entrusted to you is always safe.
Click here to learn how Systems Shepherd can protect your church's computer!
