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Server backup and disaster recovery.

If your business runs an on-premise server, it needs a proper backup and disaster recovery plan. Not just a backup that runs — a backup that has actually been tested and verified.

Server Backups

If your business runs an on-premise server — whether for file storage, a line-of-business application, or any other purpose — that server needs a proper backup and disaster recovery plan. Not just a backup that runs: a backup that has actually been tested and verified to work when you need it.

This is one of the most overlooked areas of business IT. Many businesses have a backup running quietly in the background that has never once been tested, which means nobody actually knows whether it would work in a real recovery situation.

Three levels of protection, not just one

When people say “backup,” they often mean three quite different things, each with a different impact on your business if something goes wrong.

Backup copies your data from one place to another, so individual files and folders can be restored if lost or deleted. Recovering from a backup alone usually means investigating the problem first, then restoring data, which means downtime while that happens.

Disaster recovery goes further: an image-based backup of your whole server, so the full system can be restored to a known working state, not just individual files.

Business continuity is the strongest level: your systems can be virtualised within minutes of a failure, so your business keeps operating while the underlying problem is fixed in the background. This is the difference between a server failure meaning hours of downtime, or barely being noticed by your team.

We help you understand which level of protection is right for your business and put it in place properly.

What we provide

Backup with bare metal recovery

Your server is backed up with a full base image, then incremental backups on a schedule that suits your business, as often as every hour. If a server fails entirely, it can be restored from scratch, not just individual files.

Disaster recovery with rapid virtualisation

For businesses where server downtime is genuinely costly, we can deploy disaster recovery solutions that allow your systems to be virtualised within minutes of a failure. Your team keeps working from the virtualised environment while the physical server is repaired, then everything migrates back once resolved.

Local and offsite copies

We maintain backup copies both on-site, for fast local recovery, and offsite, so your backup survives even if something happens to your physical premises — a fire, flood, theft, or other physical incident.

Backup verification, not just backup completion

A backup that completes successfully is not the same as a backup that can actually be restored. We verify backups regularly, including automated checks that confirm data integrity, so you have genuine assurance rather than an assumption.

Ransomware protection built into the backup itself

Modern backup solutions can detect ransomware-like behaviour within backup data and roll back to a clean recovery point from before an infection. This is an important additional layer, since ransomware specifically targets backups in many modern attacks.

Why testing matters

A backup that has never been tested is, in a real sense, not a verified backup at all. It might be capturing your data correctly. It might not be. The only way to know is to test it, and most businesses never do, because nobody owns that responsibility, and it never feels urgent until the moment it is too late.

We treat backup verification and testing as a core part of the service, not an optional extra, because a recovery plan you have never tested is a recovery plan you cannot rely on.

Is this right for your business?

Server backup and disaster recovery matters if your business runs any on-premise server, you cannot afford extended downtime if a server fails, you handle data subject to GDPR or other regulatory requirements, or you have never had your current backup arrangement formally tested.

Part of your managed support contract

Server backup, monitoring, and verification is available for Network Fish managed support clients as part of your service. We carry out an initial audit of your current backup setup, identify any gaps, and design a backup and recovery plan suited to your specific business and the level of protection you need.

One monthly fee. One number to call.

The day-to-day risk of your server data becomes our job, not yours.

Book your free site survey or call +44 (0) 207 403 4031

Common questions about server backup

What is the difference between backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity?
Backup means copying your data so individual files and folders can be restored if lost or deleted, but recovering this way usually involves downtime while the issue is investigated and data is restored. Disaster recovery uses an image-based backup of your whole server, so the full system can be restored to a known working state. Business continuity is the highest level: your systems can be virtualised within minutes of a failure, so your business keeps operating with minimal disruption while the underlying issue is fixed in the background. We help you choose the right level of protection based on how costly downtime would genuinely be for your business.
How do I know if my current server backup is actually working?
The only reliable way to know is to test it. A backup that completes successfully is not the same as a backup that can be restored — data can be incomplete, corrupted, or improperly captured without the backup process itself showing any error. We treat backup verification and testing as a standard part of server backup management, including automated checks and periodic recovery tests, rather than assuming a backup is working simply because it ran.
How often should server backups run?
This depends on how much data your business can afford to lose if something goes wrong, sometimes referred to as your recovery point objective. For most SMEs, backups running at least daily are the baseline, with hourly or more frequent backups appropriate for businesses where losing even a few hours of data would be costly. We assess this as part of designing your backup plan.
Can server backup protect against ransomware?
Yes, significantly. Modern backup solutions can detect ransomware-like behaviour — such as mass file encryption — within the backup data itself and allow a rollback to a clean recovery point from before the infection occurred. This is particularly important because ransomware attacks increasingly target backup systems directly, knowing that a business with a working backup has far less reason to pay a ransom.
Do I need both local and offsite backup copies?
Yes, ideally. A local backup copy allows for fast recovery in the event of a routine failure. An offsite copy protects you if something happens to your physical premises — such as a fire, flood, or theft — that could destroy a local-only backup along with the original data. We maintain both as standard for server backup clients.
What happens if our server fails completely?
This depends on the level of protection in place. With backup alone, the server would need to be rebuilt and data restored from the backup, which takes time. With disaster recovery, the full server image can be restored to replacement hardware more quickly. With business continuity-level protection, your systems can be virtualised within minutes, allowing your team to keep working while the physical server issue is resolved in the background, with data migrated back once it is fixed.
Is server backup included in a Network Fish managed support contract?
Server backup is available for managed support clients as part of your service. We start with an audit of your current backup arrangement, identify any gaps, and design a backup and recovery solution suited to your business. Speak to us about including this as part of your contract.