World Back Up Day is March 31

World Backup Day (#WorldBackupDay!) is March 31. It began in 2011 as a simple reminder from a group of Reddit users who had seen too many people lose their important files… family photos, work documents, personal projects, because they didn’t have backups. They wanted to spread the word in a way that would stick, so they picked March 31, the day before April Fool’s, with the message… “Don’t be a fool - back up your data!”

What started as an internet joke quickly became a worldwide movement. Tech companies, IT professionals, and even everyday people started sharing stories of data disasters - hard drives crashing, phones getting lost, files disappearing - and the relief that comes from having a backup. Now, every year, it serves as a friendly wake-up call to take a few minutes and make sure the things that matter most - your photos, videos, work, and memories - are safe, no matter what happens.

Executives from DH2i, Leaseweb USA, Leaseweb Canada, and Other World Computing (OWC) had this to say about this important day:

Don Boxley, CEO and Co-Founder, DH2i (www.dh2i.com):

“World Backup Day is a great reminder that just having backups isn’t enough. Sure, they’re critical for recovery, but they don’t keep your business running in real-time. If something goes wrong - whether it’s a system crash, a cyberattack, or just someone making an honest mistake - you need more than a backup. You need a plan that keeps your data within reach and your business running like nothing ever happened.

Because here’s the thing… when downtime happens, waiting around for a backup to restore isn’t an option. Businesses need to stay up and running, no matter what. That means thinking beyond just storing copies of data and making sure it’s always accessible, secure, and easy to recover. At the end of the day, it’s not just about backing up - it’s about making sure you never have to hit pause in the first place.”

Richard Copeland, CEO, Leaseweb USA, Inc. (https://www.leaseweb.com/en/):

“Skipping backup isn’t just a bad idea - it’s a ticking time bomb. Many companies think they’re saving money by relying on hardware redundancy or high availability, only to get blindsided when their data vanishes. One wrong click, one system crash, or one ransomware attack, and suddenly, they’re in full-blown disaster mode, scrambling to recover what’s lost. No backup? No safety net. Just downtime, financial hemorrhaging, and a whole lot of regret.

A proper backup strategy isn’t some nice-to-have - it’s your last line of defense when things go sideways. The smart play? The 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, in two different locations, with one offsite or in the cloud. Don’t just assume your backups work - test them, because the worst time to find out your safety net has holes is when you’re already falling. Skipping backup might save a little cash upfront, but when disaster strikes, you’ll be paying for it ten times over.”

Roger Brulotte, CEO, Leaseweb Canada (https://www.leaseweb.com/en/):

“Imagine waking up to find your systems are locked, your data is inaccessible, and your customers are left in the dark – in other words, your business is at a complete standstill. Whether it’s a cyberattack, a hardware failure, or just plain human error, losing access to critical information can be catastrophic. Backup isn’t just a checkbox - it’s your safety net. Without a solid backup strategy, a single incident could cost you days of productivity, millions in revenue, and, in worst case scenarios, your entire business.

Not all backups are created equal. Cybercriminals know to target your backups first, embedding ransomware that lies dormant until it’s too late. That’s why businesses need to follow backup best practices. For instance, you can implement the 3-2-1 rule (three copies of your data, on two different media, with one stored offsite and if one or more of the backups are immutable - i.e., cannot be altered - all the better). This can be enhanced with what some refer to as CTAM, otherwise known as the Chevy Truck Access Method. All kidding aside, this step can make or break your backup strategy. You must make sure you keep an air-gapped offline backup that can be leveraged as a last line of defense.

A strong DR plan doesn’t mean just having backups - it means knowing they’ll work when you need them most. However, don’t worry – if this isn’t your forte, there are experts that can help you craft, implement, and/or manage your backup and DR. It is an investment that pays for itself many times over. After all, in today’s world, it’s not if disaster will strike, it’s when… when will be the first time, and the next, and the next…”

Larry O’Connor, CEO and Founder, Other World Computing (OWC) (https://www.owc.com/):

"If you’re a creative or a business owner, your data isn’t just files; it’s your work, your ideas, your late nights and early mornings. It’s everything you’ve built. Now, imagine waking up one day and it’s all gone. No photos, no projects, no client records. Just… gone. It’s the kind of thing you assume won’t happen to you… until it does. That’s why World Backup Day is a good gut check. A solid backup plan isn’t about expecting disaster, it’s about making sure that no matter what - whether it’s a hardware failure, a cyberattack, or just a simple mistake - you don’t lose the work that matters most.