Trend Micro gives the low down on World Back Up Day

World Backup Day is a global initiative imploring people and businesses to backup and protect their data.

The initiative began on reddit to raise awareness about backups and data preservation.

"World Backup Day is a day for people to learn about the increasing role of data in our lives and the importance of regular backups," the initiative says on its website.

According to the initiative, 30% of people have never backed up. One hundred and thirteen phones are lost or stolen every minute, and 1 in 10 computers are infected with viruses each month. Twenty nine percent of accidents are caused by accidents. These are all scenarios where people are risking losing their data if they never backup.

Trend Micro says World Backup Day is there to remind people to backup their data on their devices, especially their mobile devices.

"Our studies show three in five people don't back up their mobile data," says Tim Falinski, Consumer Director, ANZ at Trend Micro."Usually it's a simple matter of forgetting to do it, but when your personal information is gone, it's too late.  World Backup Day is a timely reminder to people.

Falinski says, "Today people are generating more and more data and we store nearly everything on our mobile devices from personal contact details to photos, videos, passwords and work related files. If this digital information isn't backed up and protected it could be lost forever."

He explains, "People are putting their precious memories and important information at risk through potential device failure, software issues, damage to the hardware or cybercrime, when there are backup and restore functions available – even if it's a simple reminder in your calendar.

Trend Micro says 43% of respondents to a recent Trend Micro survey had major concerns when it came to the security of their mobile device, including online fraud and identity theft. "Regular backups will provide reassurance that your information will be available, even if you become a victim of ransomware," says Falinski.

The accepted rule for backup best practices is the three-two-one rule. This rule will ensure your data is stored in a multiple of ways so that at least one backup will survive.

• At least three copies
• In two different formats
• With one of those copies off-site

"Backing up should not be a once a year job but incorporated into our regular routine. That way we reduce the risk of emotional or financial damage," said Falinski.