For most small organisations, use more than one backup layer rather than relying on a single portable drive, NAS or cloud account. Automated copies of day-to-day data, plus a separately protected copy, can reduce the risk that account compromise, ransomware or a loss at the main premises affects every recoverable version; the right mix depends on where data lives and who can manage recovery.
For organisations whose invoices, documents, contacts, email and customer information are spread across a few staff devices or cloud accounts. Automated coverage and a restore process should not depend on one person remembering to copy files. National Cyber Security Centre guidance highlights making copies of the data a business needs to operate and testing that it can be restored.
For businesses working from laptops or carrying portable media that may contain customer information. The choice should consider encryption, safe recovery access and portability; the Information Commissioner's Office advises using encryption for personal information on removable media.
For teams needing central scheduling, monitoring and restoration across several PCs, Macs, file servers or virtual machines. A NAS-based route can fit this setup, but device compatibility, storage planning, administrator access and an offsite copy all need consideration.
Start by mapping the information the business needs to operate, then check how each copy can be restored and protected from the same incident.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Confirm whether endpoints, shared folders, email, websites and SaaS data are protected separately. Test restoration of a representative file, mailbox item and, where relevant, a whole device or site. | I need copies of the records that keep the organisation operating, not just a convenient folder on one computer. |
| Recovery after compromise | Check for recoverable earlier versions, delayed deletion protection and separate backup administration. Keep an important copy offline or separately located where practical. | I want a clean version to remain available if a connected device, user account or administrator account is compromised. |
| Data protection | Consider encryption for removable media and stored copies containing personal information. Check key recovery, administrative roles, MFA and account-recovery procedures. | I need to protect customer information without making the only backup inaccessible when the usual device owner is unavailable. |
| Manageability | Match automatic backup, central administration, NAS compatibility, capacity and recovery method to the number of devices and available technical support. | I need a routine that staff can maintain, whether they work in one office or across several locations. |
A current copy can still be deleted, overwritten or encrypted. The National Cyber Security Centre notes that cloud and on-premises backups are not ransomware-resistant by default.
Require an earlier recoverable version and at least one copy protected from ordinary user or device compromise. Document what happens if an administrator account is taken over.
A drive left connected can be reached by malware, while an untested copy may not restore when it is needed.
Assign an owner for backup completion, safe disconnection or storage and restore testing. Keep an offline copy separately from the main network and premises where practical.
Encryption can reduce unauthorised access to personal information, but a lost decryption key can make a backup unusable.
Keep protected, role-based recovery access to passwords or keys, and test that an authorised second person can restore data without the original device owner.
Endpoint, Microsoft 365, NAS, server and cloud-infrastructure services have different coverage boundaries. Microsoft 365 Backup covers selected SharePoint, OneDrive and Exchange Online workloads, while Backblaze Business is positioned around Mac and Windows endpoints.
Make a source-to-destination coverage table listing each critical system, its backup product, retention, restore owner, restore test and any excluded data.
A NAS-based backup route for small organisations that want to centralise protection of PCs, Macs, physical servers, file servers or virtual machines.
A portable encrypted-storage option for a manually controlled offline or travelling copy, rather than a complete business-continuity setup by itself.
A cloud endpoint-backup route for small organisations with Mac and Windows devices, including remote or distributed staff needing automatic protection and central administration.
A SaaS-backup route for organisations whose operational records mainly sit in Microsoft 365 SharePoint, OneDrive and Exchange Online.
Joybuy product options for NAS-based backup and encrypted portable-storage layers in a small-business backup plan.
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A central storage and backup option for a small team with shared files and several users.
Stated features include automated backups, RAID, snapshots, access controls, audit logs and support for 10+ concurrent users. Confirm whether drives are included, the usable capacity, workload compatibility, offsite copies and restore procedures before relying on it.
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A portable local or offline layer for selected documents and files, where password recovery and safe storage are managed.
The listing states 2TB capacity, USB 3.2 Gen 1, Acronis backup software, scheduled local backups and 256-bit AES hardware encryption. Check retention, earlier-version recovery and coverage beyond local computer files.
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A compact option for a controlled portable copy of important operational files.
The listing states 1TB storage, USB 3.2 Gen 2, AES-256-bit hardware encryption, password software, IP65 resistance and compatibility with Mac, PC and Android. Confirm backup automation, retention and restoration before treating it as a business backup layer.
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A possible central backup destination for a technically capable small team prepared to configure and maintain a NAS.
The listing states automated backup support, snapshots, RAID, remote access and a diskless 2-bay design. Check compatible drives, required capacity, RAID layout, covered systems and a separate protected copy before purchase.
Usually not on its own. A portable drive can provide a useful offline or local-recovery copy, but it remains one device; the National Cyber Security Centre advises keeping important backups recent and restorable, and notes that separately stored disconnected media is harder for an attacker to access. Use it as one layer alongside another protected copy.
Start with the information needed to operate: the National Cyber Security Centre identifies websites, emails, invoicing, documents, presentations, contacts and customer information. Map where each item lives, then confirm the chosen route protects that location; a laptop backup does not automatically cover a cloud mailbox, shared SaaS workspace or line-of-business application.
Assess encryption against the data and the risk, while ensuring authorised people can still recover the copy. The Information Commissioner's Office says encryption should be used for personal information stored on removable media and stresses the importance of sound key management for encrypted backups.
Test regularly, with the schedule tied to acceptable data loss and downtime. The National Cyber Security Centre advises regular daily or weekly copies of essential information and regular restore testing; include a small file-level test and a realistic operational restore, such as a mailbox, shared folder or device where relevant.
Yes, but only where the selected products explicitly cover the workloads in use. Microsoft states that Microsoft 365 Backup covers SharePoint, OneDrive and Exchange Online, while endpoint services may focus on user data on Macs and PCs. Confirm retention, restore granularity and whether servers or other systems need a separate route.