Back up important data and test recovery
Keep copies of critical files off the primary device, encrypt where appropriate, and periodically confirm you can restore.
Why it matters
Ransomware, device loss, and accidental deletion are recoverable only if backups exist and actually restore. CISA’s Upskill checklist calls for backing up and encrypting important data.
Practical steps
- Identify data you cannot afford to lose (finance, customer records, project files).
- Use an offline or separate cloud backup that is not the only copy on the same PC.
- Encrypt portable drives and enable device encryption where your platform supports it.
- Test a restore at least occasionally so you know the process works before an emergency.
- For business systems, document what is backed up, how often, and who owns restore tests.
When to contact Visnec
Contact Visnec to design backup scope for servers and Microsoft 365, verify restores under a managed agreement, or recover after ransomware or hardware failure.
Sources
- CISA — Project Upskill Checklist (backup & encrypt) — reviewed 2026-11-04
- CISA — Good Security Habits — reviewed 2026-11-04