A Guide To Backup & Disaster Recovery For Nonprofits: Cost-Effective Solutions & Best Practices

Your nonprofit organization (NPO) operates differently from for-profit organizations, but everyone has a need for effective and reliable data backup tools and disaster recovery planning. If anything, you might have a greater need for these contingencies, as NPOs are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals who know that NPOs have limited security resources compared to businesses. 

But lacking the deep pockets of a large enterprise doesn’t mean you can’t protect your organization from the worst-case scenario. Here are some cost-effective solutions and best practices you can implement to ensure your NPO is never without donor, financial, or other vital data.

Triage Your Data

If you are often running low on storage space and/or going over your storage budget, consider that not all of your data needs to be backed up. You handle a lot of important data, but there’s also a lot of data that is not vital or that is already stored elsewhere. Take some time to identify and prioritize your critical data and systems, and configure your data backup tools and procedures to focus on them at the expense of data you could live without.

Don’t Rely On The Cloud Alone — Add On & Upgrade

Many organizations labor under the misconception that if their data is stored in the cloud, it is backed up and safe. While this may be true for situations like a fire or a flood knocking out your offices, it is not effective protection against cyberattack. 

If a cybercriminal acquires login credentials to your cloud infrastructure through phishing or other means, they can still steal, destroy, and/or encrypt your data with ransomware. Worse still, you have no recourse against the cloud provider, as under the shared responsibility model, you are responsible for security at your end and a malicious actor gaining access to your data is still your fault.

To plug this gap, implement multifactor authentication and other access controls to prevent breaches in the first place. Utilize additional security features and add-ons offered by your cloud service provider, as these additions are more cost-effective than standalone solutions and can be just as effective. Ask your vendor or IT services provider to find out which tools on your chosen platform are best for your data security needs.

Utilize Physical Backups

As stated above, your data backups can still be vulnerable to cyberattacks in the cloud, but a physical drive located on your premises will still be out of their reach. It may seem archaic to use physical media in the age of the cloud, but they are still an effective contingency and cost-effective alternative to additional off-site backups or expensive security tools.

The price of large storage drives are going down,, so you can acquire enough for your needs with relatively low capital expenditure. They are best used for non-time-sensitive data, such as records and communication logs, but can be effective nonetheless. As a general rule, it’s best to have two data backups, one off site and one on premises.

Consider Free Or Discounted Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Tools

Software that manages data backups and disaster recovery are vital, but they don’t have to be expensive. There are free, open-source options such as Bacula or AMANDA. Alternatively, search for software vendors and service providers that offer discounts for NPOs. There’s more than you think, and it doesn’t hurt to ask!

Get Advice Centered Around Your Needs

Asking the company that sells you data backup and disaster recovery tools for cost-effective solutions may not be the best course of action, considering they are incentivized to provide you with the most expensive options. Instead, ask a trusted consultant or IT services provider that also benefits from your cost savings and success.

If your NPO operates in New York, contact Info Advantage. We’re a certified woman-owned business with over 30 years of experience helping NPOs secure their data and optimize their operations while staying within their strict budget constraints.