For a self-employed home office with reliable internet, an automatic cloud backup can protect current work if a computer is lost or fails; keep a separate local copy that is disconnected when not in use so recovery does not depend on one account or connected device. If internet access is unreliable, make the local copy your routine route and plan how to keep another independent copy. Choose capacity from everything needed to resume work, then check version retention, account security and whether you can restore the files you need.
Identify the invoices, customer information, contacts, email and working documents needed to resume trading. The National Cyber Security Centre advises small organisations to back up the data their business needs to operate, rather than choosing a drive by capacity alone.
A local drive offers a way to make copies without depending on a cloud connection. Plan when it will be connected, where it will be stored afterwards and how you would recover if the drive and computer were lost together.
Network-attached storage (NAS) may make scheduled local backups easier to manage across devices, provided you can administer access and updates. The National Cyber Security Centre cautions that connected backups are not resistant to ransomware by default, so a NAS still needs an independent copy.
Start with the work you must be able to restore, then decide which combination of cloud, local and disconnected copies covers the failures that would interrupt it.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Backup scope and capacity | List essential files, email, contacts and any application or device data needed for recovery. Size storage for that set, retained versions and growth; check whether the backup covers selected folders or a broader device. | I need more than my documents folder if client records, invoices or email are necessary to get back to work. |
| Earlier versions | For cloud storage or a backup service, check how to restore a file after deletion, overwrite or corruption, and how long earlier versions remain available. The National Cyber Security Centre advises checking recovery from earlier cloud-backup versions. | If damage goes unnoticed for a while, I need a recoverable copy from before it happened—not just the newest synchronised file. |
| Local and offline copies | Check how a drive is disconnected after backup and stored separately. If using a NAS, check access separation and how you will keep an independent off-site or offline copy; the National Cyber Security Centre notes that connected backups are not protected against ransomware by default. | A failed computer, compromised account or incident at my work location should not leave every copy out of reach. |
| Access and encryption | Check two-step verification and account-recovery controls for cloud access, plus encryption and secure storage for removable media. The Information Commissioner's Office highlights encryption as protection for stored personal information when a device is lost or stolen. | When a backup contains client personal data, I want to protect both the online account and any drive I carry or store locally. |
| Schedule and restore test | Set backup frequency by how much changed work you could recreate. The National Cyber Security Centre gives daily or weekly copies of essential information as a small-business action point; periodically restore representative files and check that they open. | Work changes throughout my day, so I need a schedule I can maintain and a way to confirm that recovery works. |
A cloud folder may omit email, contacts or application data needed to resume work. A later deleted or corrupted file may also replace the current synchronised copy.
List what must be recovered, confirm what the service includes, and try restoring an earlier file. Check the retention period before relying on version history.
The National Cyber Security Centre warns that an infected computer can affect connected external storage and that attackers may target backups.
Disconnect the drive after copying, store it securely and keep another independent copy if losing that drive would seriously interrupt work.
A NAS on the same network can remain reachable during an attack, while one kept beside the computer shares risks from an incident at that location. Multiple disks do not remove either exposure.
Check administrator access, updates, snapshot recovery and restore procedures, then maintain a separate off-site or offline copy.
A copy is of little use if recovery credentials are unavailable or the files cannot be restored in a usable form.
Protect account-recovery methods, limit backup-management access and periodically restore representative files to a separate location.
These examples illustrate features to compare across backup routes; a brand name alone does not establish that every file or recovery scenario is covered.
Cloud file storage and synchronisation for work kept in OneDrive, including home offices using Microsoft 365 or Windows.
An automated computer-backup service to consider when a defined version-history policy matters.
A NAS route for someone prepared to administer central local storage and maintain an independent copy.
These Joybuy external hard drives and SSDs represent the local-drive route. Compare their stated capacity and connection with your backup set and computer, then plan a separate copy if losing the drive would prevent recovery.
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For a portable local copy, compare its 2TB capacity with your full work-data inventory and room for retained versions. Check how your chosen backup method restores earlier files; disconnect the drive when the copy is complete.
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This 5TB portable hard drive is a local-copy option for a Mac setup. Compare its capacity with the data and versions you intend to retain, and confirm connection, formatting and restore requirements for your computer.
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A portable SSD can hold a local copy of selected work files. Check whether 1 TB covers everything you need to restore, and arrange a repeatable backup and earlier-version recovery method rather than relying on occasional manual copying.
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For a portable local backup, check that the 1TB capacity fits your protected files and retained copies. Confirm the connection and backup procedure for your computer, and keep the drive disconnected between backups.
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This 4 TB SSD is another portable destination for a local copy. Check capacity against your work-data inventory, confirm your computer's connection and test that your backup method can restore the versions you need.
Count what you need to resume work, not just what is in your documents folder. That may include customer records, invoices, email, contacts, website data and application or device data. Decide whether selected folders are enough, then allow capacity for retained versions and growth.
Choose a schedule based on how much changed work you could afford to recreate. The National Cyber Security Centre gives daily or weekly copies of essential information as a small-business action point; work that changes more often may call for more frequent automatic copies. Test restoration periodically, whatever schedule you use.
Not if losing access to the account or recovering only the latest damaged file would leave you unable to work. The National Cyber Security Centre cautions that cloud backups are not resistant to ransomware by default. Check backup scope, earlier-version restoration and retention, and keep an independent local or offline copy when that dependency is unacceptable.
Keep a recent disconnected copy of important work when ransomware or account compromise could block recovery from connected storage. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends a recent offline backup of important files. Store removable media securely and consider a separate location if one incident could affect both your computer and the copy.