For important household or home-work files, keep a local backup and a separate off-site copy rather than relying on one drive or a synchronised folder. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends copies on different devices, including one off-site; a portable drive can provide the local copy, while cloud storage or a separately stored drive can provide the off-site copy. A NAS can help manage backups across several computers, but it still needs an independent copy.
If family photos or personal records would be difficult to replace, keep a recoverable copy separate from the computer. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends an off-site copy as part of a backup arrangement, so a drive kept beside the computer should not be the only backup.
A local copy can be useful when work files need restoring without an internet connection. For employer or client files, use storage arrangements approved by the organisation; the Information Commissioner's Office advises organisations to assess the security of home-working systems.
Network-attached storage, or NAS, can bring local storage and backup tasks together for multiple devices. It also needs setup and access management, and a NAS in the home is not a substitute for an independent off-site copy.
Start with what must be recoverable, then choose where separate copies will live and how you will restore them.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recoverability | Check which files or earlier versions can be restored, how long they remain available, and whether you can test a restore. Microsoft documents OneDrive synchronisation separately from its restore features. | I want to recover a file after an accidental deletion or unwanted edit, not just see the same current folder on another device. |
| Separate copies | Keep copies on different devices, with one off-site, as the National Cyber Security Centre recommends. Disconnect a removable backup drive when it is not in use; check account protection for an online copy. | If my computer is lost or something affects the whole home, I still need access to an independent copy of important files. |
| Capacity | Measure the files to protect and allow for growth and any retained backup history. For cloud storage, check whether files, photos and email share an allowance. | My photos, videos and documents need room to grow without a backup stopping because its storage is full. |
| Connection and handling | Check the exact drive's connection, supplied cable and compatibility with your computer. Choose between a drive you can store securely and one you expect to carry regularly. | A drive has to connect to my computer and fit the way I will move or store my backup copy. |
| Access and security | Check who can access each copy and how passwords or encryption are managed. For work files, confirm the organisation's approved storage arrangements before using personal equipment. | If a portable drive is lost, I do not want its files exposed; I also need to be able to recover them myself. |
| Multiple devices | Check whether each computer needs its own backup task or whether centrally managed local storage would help. A NAS also needs drive setup, access controls and a separate copy. | Several computers in my home need backing up, and I can take responsibility for managing shared storage. |
Synchronisation keeps current files aligned across devices; it does not, by itself, establish which deleted, overwritten or corrupted files you can restore. Microsoft describes OneDrive's sync and restore functions separately.
Check the service's version history, deleted-file recovery and restore conditions for your account. Keep another separate copy of important files.
The National Cyber Security Centre reports that malware incidents have affected connected USB and network storage. A drive left attached can share some of the computer's exposure.
Back up regularly, disconnect removable storage afterwards, store it securely and test that you can restore files.
A backup may also need room for photos, video and retained file versions. Cloud allowances can be shared: Google says its account storage is shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos.
Measure everything you intend to protect, allow for growth and check what counts towards the exact service's allowance.
A NAS can remain accessible over the network, while encrypted files may be inaccessible to you if you lose the credentials needed to unlock them. Neither feature creates an off-site copy.
Set access permissions, keep recovery credentials securely and maintain another independent copy.
A NAS also requires drive installation and ongoing management of backup tasks and access.
Samsung's T7 Shield is a portable SSD line to consider when a local copy will be carried between locations.
Seagate's One Touch portable hard-drive line is a reference for a capacity-led local copy of household files.
Synology's two-bay DiskStation DS225+ is a NAS reference for centrally managed backups across several devices.
These external hard drives and portable SSDs are options for a local copy of household or home-work files. Choose capacity and connection for your own files and computer, then plan where an independent copy will be kept.
Image unavailable
A portable local-drive option for files and documents. Compare its stated 2TB capacity with the files you intend to protect and expected growth; keep another independent copy rather than relying on this drive alone.
Image unavailable
This portable HDD offers a stated 5TB for a capacity-led local copy. Confirm the connection and operating-system requirements for your computer, particularly if you plan to use this for-Mac variant with Windows, and keep a separate backup copy.
Image unavailable
A portable 4 TB local-copy option with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) stated in its name. Check your computer's connection and how you will run and restore backups; do not treat this drive as the only copy.
Image unavailable
This portable SSD provides a stated 2 TB local-copy option with USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) in its name. Check that its capacity and connection suit your files and computer, and arrange a separate copy for recovery if the drive is lost.
Image unavailable
A portable 1 TB SSD to consider for a local copy carried between locations. Check whether 1 TB covers your files, confirm the connection for your computer and retain another independent copy.
Not on its own if you need to recover an earlier or deleted file. Microsoft describes OneDrive synchronisation separately from its version and restore features; check the recovery options and retention conditions for your particular service and account, and keep a separate copy of important files.
Disconnect a removable backup drive when it is not being used. The National Cyber Security Centre advises this because some viruses can affect connected storage; back up regularly and test that you can restore files.
No. A NAS can centralise local backup tasks, but a unit kept in the home remains exposed to an incident there and may be accessible over the network. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends copies on different devices, including one off-site.
Check the organisation's approved arrangements before copying work files to a personal drive or account. The Information Commissioner's Office advises organisations to assess home-working systems and the security risks of personal devices; use the storage and access controls specified for those files.
Count all the data you intend to protect, not just one folder, and check which services share the allowance. Google says its account includes up to 15 GB shared across Drive, Gmail and Photos; Microsoft describes a 5 GB personal cloud-storage allowance, while Apple lists 5 GB for iCloud. Check the terms of the account you will actually use.