KI Technology Services recommends using Code42 to all members of the KI community. This is an automated solution that allows the user the flexibility to select individual folders or the default backup set, and then stores copies of those folders off-site, where they can be managed and retrieved as needed.
This is a superior method to manually copy and pasting files and folders to an external hard drive or public cloud (e.g. OneDrive, Dropbox).
Ad-hoc
As a supplementary method of backing up your data, be sure to:
- Not use flash drives/USB keys for backups, and do not use them on public machines.
- Keep physical backups separate from your laptop/desktop (so that if laptop is lost in a fire or stolen, the backups aren't lost with it).
- Back-up physical media regularly, and store these separately from one another.
- If copying files to hard drive, do not overwrite the previous backup. Keep multiple generations of backups so you can revert as needed.
- Consider cloud storage options, preferably an MIT-supported solution such as Dropbox and OneDrive, and automate this process if possible.
Automatic
In addition to Code42, there are other platforms that will run incremental backups to local media (e.g. an external hard drive or backup drive), and those that run incremental backups to network volumes or cloud storage. Examples of the former are Apple's free 'Time Machine' backup software and Microsoft's free 'Backup and Save' application, while the latter applies to the OneDrive or Google Drive applications.
Ideally, your information should be backed up with multiple, overlapping solutions, on and off-campus. For more information regarding how to get the most out of your backups, please see below:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatabackup/definition/3-2-1-Backup-Strategy