Implementing the 3-2-1 Backup Strategy with KnownHost

The 3-2-1 backup rule is one of the most reliable ways to protect your digital information. First introduced by photographer Peter Krogh in the early 2000s, it has since become an industry standard that IT professionals, cybersecurity experts, and even government agencies recommend. The reason it has lasted so long is simple: it works.

The rule breaks down into three easy parts:

• 3. Keep three copies of your data: the original plus two backups
• 2. Store those backups on two different types of storage media
• 1. Keep one copy off-site in a separate location

Three Copies of Your Data

This part is straightforward. You want three versions of your files: the original version you use every day, plus two backups. One backup might live on an external hard drive at home, while the other could be stored in the cloud through a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space. 

You could also keep a second copy on a NAS (network-attached storage) device in your office or another computer in your household.

Two Different Devices

This rule means your backups should not all live on the same device. In the past, people recommended using two different media types like tapes and CDs to avoid obsolescence and hardware failures. Today, cloud storage has made that less of a concern since the provider handles the hardware and keeps your data accessible.

What matters now is keeping your data on at least two devices. For example, a small business might store one backup on a local server and another in the cloud. A family might keep one copy on an external hard drive and another in Google Drive or iCloud. The goal is to make sure one device failure cannot take out all your copies.

One Copy Off-Site

The final piece is making sure at least one of those backups is not in the same place as the original. If all your copies are in your house and something happens (like a fire, flood, or theft) you might end up losing everything.

An off-site copy means the data is safe somewhere else. That might be:

• A cloud backup service that stores your data in a secure data center
• An external drive you keep at a trusted friend’s house or in a safe deposit box
• A company backup server located in another office or city

A good rule of thumb: your off-site copy should be far enough away that a single disaster could not affect both locations at the same time. For most people, that means at least several miles away, but cloud storage is the most practical way to achieve true geographic separation.

Why Backup Strategies Are Essential

Growing Cybersecurity Risks

When the 3-2-1 rule first appeared, cyberattacks were far less common than they are today. Now, ransomware attacks are both widespread and increasingly advanced. In 2022, about 73 percent of organizations experienced a ransomware attack, and 38 percent were attacked more than once. Criminals are even targeting backups, which makes isolated off-site copies critical for recovery.

The financial damage from cybercrime is also rising at an alarming rate. Experts estimate global costs could reach 10.5 trillion dollars annually by 2025, showing how vital it is for businesses to protect their data.

However, backups are not just about defense against hackers. They also protect against:

• Hardware failures since all storage devices eventually fail
• Human mistakes such as accidental deletion or overwriting
• Natural disasters that could destroy everything stored locally
• Physical incidents like theft, fire, or vandalism

Compliance Requirements

Many industries require specific data protection practices as part of legal or regulatory standards. Using the 3-2-1 method makes it easier to demonstrate compliance since it provides a clear, verifiable system for safeguarding and recovering information.

KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space: Supporting the 3-2-1 Strategy

KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space is designed to fill the “1” in the 3-2-1 rule. It gives you a secure off-site location to store critical backups, with features that make it easy to build a complete strategy.

Geographic Diversity

KnownHost operates data centers in:

• Atlanta, USA
• Seattle, USA
• Amsterdam, Netherlands

This spread across regions means your data is safe even if one area experiences a major outage or disaster.

Flexible Storage Plans

KnownHost offers backup storage that can scale with your needs:

• Plans start at 10 dollars per month for 500 GB
• Storage scales up to 10 TB, with additional space available
• Extra space can be added in 100 GB increments at 0.02 dollars per GB

You can start small and increase storage as your requirements grow.

Protocol Options

To make backups compatible with different systems, KnownHost supports:

• SSH/SFTP for secure encrypted transfers
• RSYNC for efficient incremental backups
• FTP/FTPS for older or legacy systems

JetBackup Integration

If you use cPanel or DirectAdmin, KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space works seamlessly with JetBackup, making it easier to manage schedules, retention policies, and restores.

How to Use KnownHost for 3-2-1 Backups

Protecting WordPress Sites

WordPress sites need backups for both files and databases. With KnownHost, you can follow the 3-2-1 process like this:

1. Primary copy: Your live WordPress site hosted on KnownHost’s infrastructure
2. Local backup: Regular backups stored on a separate storage medium using JetBackup or KnownHost’s built-in tools
3. Off-site copy: Automated transfers to KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space (if you’re already using our managed services).

For even more protection, you can add a WordPress plugin such as UpdraftPlus or Jetpack VaultPress Backup to cover site-specific details.

Full Server Protection

KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space also supports entire server backups:

• Database archives like MySQL or PostgreSQL dumps
• Application snapshots that capture the whole server state
• Custom backup scripts using rsync, rclone, or cron jobs for advanced workflows

Scheduling and Retention

Strong backups rely on clear policies:

• Frequency: At least once daily for active websites, more often for frequently updated databases
• Retention: Keep enough versions to match compliance and recovery needs
• Verification: Test backups regularly to confirm they work and can be restored

Going Beyond 3-2-1

The 3-2-1-1-0 Model

You might already know the 3-2-1 backup rule, but today’s risks call for something stronger. That is where the 3-2-1-1-0 model comes in. It takes the original idea and adds two extra layers: one backup that cannot be changed or deleted, and a habit of checking backups so you know there are zero errors. In simple terms, it is a smarter, safer way to make sure your data is always recoverable, no matter what happens.

The 3-2-1-1-0 Model consists of:

• 3 copies of your data
• 2 different media types
• 1 off-site copy
• 1 immutable or air-gapped copy
• 0 errors verified through testing

Immutable Backups

Immutable backups are write-once and cannot be altered or deleted. This makes them resistant to ransomware that tries to encrypt or destroy backups. KnownHost supports configurations that allow you to implement immutable storage with compatible tools.

Air Gaps

Separating backups from production systems using different environments or credentials helps ensure that one compromised account cannot wipe out every copy.

Automated Checks

KnownHost’s JetBackup integration also supports automated verification, such as:

• Integrity checks to confirm data consistency
• Test restores to validate recovery procedures
• Alerts for failed or incomplete backups

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keeping all backups in one location: This creates a single point of failure. KnownHost solves this with multiple data center options.
• Backing up too infrequently: Match your backup frequency to how often your data changes. For active websites, daily is the bare minimum.
• Skipping verification: Never assume backups are fine without testing them.
• Not covering everything: Remember to back up databases, configuration files, and application data, not just site content.

Conclusion

The 3-2-1 backup strategy has stood the test of time because it is simple and effective. But like any system, it only works when implemented carefully and managed consistently. KnownHost’s Remote Backup Space provides the essential off-site storage you need, backed by strong infrastructure, flexible options, and expert 24/7 support.