3-2-1 backup rule
In one sentence
Keep 3 copies of important data, on 2 kinds of media, with 1 copy off-site.
The 3-2-1 rule is a simple resilience recipe: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with at least one kept off-site (and ideally offline or immutable). It protects against hardware failure, disaster, and ransomware at once.
How the Readiness Check scores it
The free Check asks the same question a carrier will. Here it is, why it's asked, and the fix if today's honest answer is no. The full application question list has the rest.
Backup & recovery
How is your critical business data backed up?
Why carriers ask: Tested, offline-capable backups are the difference between an outage and paying a ransom. Claims data shows a record share of ransomware victims now refuse to pay. Working backups are what make refusal possible.
If the answer is no: Stand up automatic off-site backup for critical systems this week, then schedule a restore test.
The written evidence carriers accept
A “yes” on the application needs a document behind it. In the Readiness Pack, that document is:
Related terms
Would you pass this question today?
The free Readiness Check scores you across the ten control domains carriers probe, in five minutes, no email required for the score.