brandWhat happens if your business loses all its data?
For most small businesses, the honest answer is that nobody knows, because the backup has never been tested. We regularly meet offices where the backup drive stopped working months ago, where Microsoft 365 is not backed up at all because staff assumed Microsoft does it, or where the only copy of the accounting file lives on one desktop.
Data protection answers three questions in writing: what is backed up, where the copies live, and how long a full recovery takes. Then we prove it with scheduled restore tests.
The 3-2-1 approach, with ransomware in mind
We follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of important data, on two different types of storage, with one copy offsite. On top of that, at least one copy is immutable, meaning it cannot be changed or deleted for a set period, even by an administrator account. That is what protects you when ransomware or a compromised login tries to destroy backups before encrypting your files.
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace get their own backup, because their built-in retention is not designed for recovering from a malicious deletion weeks after the fact.
Recovery planning for mountain realities
Power outages, wildfire evacuations and a burst pipe in a ski-season rental are real risks here. A good recovery plan includes how staff keep working from home or another office, which systems come back first, and who makes which call. For regulated businesses it also documents what HIPAA, the FTC Safeguards Rule or your cyber-insurance carrier requires. See compliance & cybersecurity.
Signs it’s time for IT & Data Protection
- Your backup is a USB drive plugged into one computer.
- You assume Microsoft 365 or Google backs up your email and files.
- Nobody has restored a file from backup in months.
- The accounting or practice-management data lives on one desktop.
- You do not know how long it would take to recover from ransomware.
If two or more of these sound familiar, take the free security check or book a free cybersecurity assessment.
How our IT & Data Protection process works
Inventory
We map where important data lives: devices, servers, cloud apps and line-of-business software.
Protect
Automated backups with offsite and immutable copies are deployed.
Test
Restores are tested on a schedule and reported to you.
Plan
A written recovery plan defines what comes back first and how fast.
What’s included
- Automated backup of PCs, Macs, servers and NAS devices
- Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace backup (mail, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams)
- Immutable, offsite backup copies
- Monthly backup reports and scheduled restore tests
- Written disaster recovery and business continuity plan
- Defined recovery time and recovery point objectives
Who it’s for
- Any business that could not work for a week without its data
- Healthcare and financial offices with retention requirements
- Businesses with an on-premise server or NAS
- Companies applying for or renewing cyber insurance
What affects the price
Every quote is flat and in writing. These are the factors that move the number:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Amount of data | Storage volume and how long backups are retained. |
| What is protected | Workstations, servers and cloud accounts are priced per item or per user. |
| Recovery speed | Faster recovery targets may require local backup appliances. |
| Testing frequency | More frequent restore testing adds verification time. |
Recovery planning for mountain risks
Power outages during storms, wildfire evacuations and frozen-pipe floods in older buildings are real risks across Eagle County. Cloud-based, offsite backups mean a business in Vail can restore from a laptop in Eagle or Denver if the office is unreachable.
“Duplo digital is our IT company that keeps all of our info safe and secure. Todd has done a great job in setting everything up for us, being there for our staff when they have computer issues, and prioritizing our projects. I would highly recommend Dublow Digital for all of your IT needs.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the best backup solution for a small business office?
A solution that backs up every device and cloud account automatically, keeps an immutable offsite copy, and is tested on a schedule. The brand matters less than whether someone is verifying restores every month.
Does Microsoft back up my Microsoft 365 data?
Microsoft keeps the service running and offers limited retention, but it is not a full backup for recovering from accidental or malicious deletion. A separate Microsoft 365 backup is recommended for most businesses.
How often should a small business test its backups?
At least quarterly for a full test, with automated verification of individual backups daily. Vail Valley IT includes restore tests in every managed data protection plan.
What is an immutable backup?
A backup copy that cannot be changed or deleted for a set period, even by an administrator. It protects your recovery point from ransomware and compromised accounts.
How long does it take to recover from a data loss?
It depends on the amount of data and the backup type. A single file can take minutes; a full server restore can take hours. Your recovery plan sets and tests these targets in advance.