What is the 3-2-1 Backup Rule?

Dan Zeng

3 copies of your data
2 different storage types (e.g., local disk + cloud)
1 copy stored offsite

It’s a widely trusted strategy to protect against data loss from hardware failure, cyberattacks, or natural disasters.

Wesley

Got it! That makes sense — thanks for the clear explanation. 👍

delphine sterling

Appreciate the quick help! 👍

Quentin

While 3‑2‑1 covers most bases, you need to tailor your strategy to different RPO/RTO requirements. For high‑transaction OLTP systems, aim for sub‑minute RPO with asynchronous replication and frequent snapshots for near‑instant recovery. Cold archives or compliance data can leverage daily full+incremental backups to cloud cold storage, cutting costs.