The importance of backup

Over 75 percent of consumers store their data digitally and more than 50 percent state that their personal data are more valuable than their actual devices – solidifying that consumers know they need to preserve their data.

A new Acronis survey shows that consumers would be nearly three times more upset if they lost their photos than if they lost their phone, computer or tablet.

Although they treasure their digital information, the survey reveals that consumers are putting little effort into ensuring their data is safe. Less than half of the respondents save their data on an external device or in the cloud. This means that more than 50 percent of consumers store their data only on their computer – or not at all. Of those using a data backup system, only one third are protecting their entire computer system, the rest are simply protecting some files.

Nearly half of the respondents value their data at over $1,000, proving that they certainly hold their information to a high standard. While only five percent of consumers surveyed are willing to actually spend that amount to recover their data once it is lost, an overwhelming 94 percent of respondents expressed that they are willing to spend up to $100 to preventively backup their data.

“The majority of consumers do not realize the importance of backing up their digital memories, including everything from precious photos to financial information, until a catastrophe occurs,” said Serguei Beloussov, CEO, Acronis. “What consumers should understand is that there are easy and inexpensive ways to safeguard the digital data that they’re most afraid of losing.”