Name a business that would invest in big-ticket items like new laptops for all employees without first buying an all-inclusive warranty? Drawing a blank? Why, then, are companies so willing to gamble with the data stored on those same machines?

Most small business owners know that servers crash and Mother Nature unexpectedly strikes, but do they back up their data just in case? Sadly, no. The typical small business owner, it turns out, spends more time changing passwords or organizing their desks than they do backing up data, according to new research. But when the inevitable hard drive failure or server crash occurs, the results can be dire.

People buy insurance to protect prized possessions — their cars, homes and even beloved pets. But the one valuable they consistently neglect to insure? Their digital data, including family photos, medical records and other personal details that would be tough to live without.

Virtualization technology is all the rage — and not just for big business. With small and medium-sized businesses alone shelling out an estimated $1.2 billion a year on virtualization, here's a look at the latest insights into how virtualization bolsters any business: