What is Backup (3-2-1)?
A 3-2-1 backup strategy keeps 3 copies of every file, on 2 different media types, with 1 copy stored off-site - the minimum a Florida business needs to survive a ransomware attack, hurricane, or hardware failure.
The 3-2-1 rule predates modern cloud storage but the principle holds: never have a single point of failure. Modern interpretations include immutable backups (can't be modified or deleted by an attacker who compromises your network) and air-gapped backups (physically disconnected from the network).
security reviewers in 2026 ask 'have you tested a restore from backup in the last 12 months' - having backups isn't enough; testing them is required. Most businesses discover their backups are unusable only after they need them.
For Florida specifically, a copy needs to be stored outside the hurricane zone - preferably in a different region - so a Cat-5 storm hitting your office doesn't take both copies.
Why it matters for Florida small business
When ransomware hits or a hurricane floods the office, your backups are the difference between 4 hours of pain and 4 weeks of business interruption.
What to do
Document your backup architecture (what's backed up, where, how often, by whom), schedule a quarterly restore test, and store at least one copy in a different geographic region.