Imagine this: one wrong command, and your entire business vanishes. That’s exactly what happened to hosting provider Marco Marsala, whose story is a stark reminder of why data backup best practices are critical for every business.
A Simple Mistake with Devastating Consequences
While trying to delete a few files, Marsala ran the powerful rm -rf command—but he forgot to define the variables. Instead of removing a few files, he wiped out everything on the server. Even worse, his backups were mounted to the same system and got deleted too, violating data backup best practices.
This wasn’t just a technical hiccup. Marsala lost websites for over 1,500 clients, along with all of his company’s data. When he turned to a server forum for help, the responses were brutal. Some users doubted his skills, and others predicted the end of his business. One even advised him to call a lawyer instead of a technician.
Recovery Came—But at a High Price
Marsala eventually hired a data recovery firm, which managed to retrieve his files. However, the damage was already done. The recovery process was expensive, and the loss of client trust hit his revenue hard.
This disaster didn’t happen because of bad luck—it happened because Marsala ignored basic data backup best practices. By keeping backups on the same system, he left them vulnerable to the same mistake that wiped out his primary data.
What Marsala Should Have Done Differently
Marsala’s situation mirrors a famous near-miss at Pixar, where Toy Story 2 was almost deleted before its release. These stories highlight a simple truth: without proper backup strategies, even small errors can lead to massive losses.
To avoid this fate, businesses must follow proven data backup best practices, such as:
- Store backups offline or on separate systems.
- Automate backups and include version history.
- Test backups regularly to ensure reliability.
- Use multiple backup locations (local and cloud).
- Encrypt sensitive data to protect against breaches.
Your Data Faces More Than Just Human Error
Human mistakes aren’t the only threat. Fires, power surges, hardware failures, and cyberattacks can all destroy critical data. If your backups aren’t isolated and secure, your business is at risk, underscoring the importance of strong data backup methods.
So ask yourself:
Are your backups truly safe?
Do you have a disaster recovery plan in place?
If not, now’s the time to act. Our experts can help you build a resilient backup strategy that protects your business from the unexpected. With the right data backup best practices, you can safeguard your operations, your clients, and your future.
Charles Lobert, has been in the Detroit Metro Area’s IT industry for over two decades & with VCS since ’04. Throughout the years, Lobert has held nearly every position at VCS & is responsible for several major organizational shifts within VCS.