Automatic backup is a data backup model that enables users to back up their data with little to no manual intervention. Backing up your vital data can be time consuming enough, but creating multiple backups will take even more time if done manually. Auto backup creates backups faster as it eliminates potentially complicated tasks that are subject to human error.

If you want to automatically back up your systems and data, you will need specialized software that’s easy to install and manage and enables you to back up to multiple locations in order to follow the 3-2-1 backup rule — maintain three copies of your data (production copy and two backups), stored across two types of storage media, with one backup stored offsite, such as in the cloud. You can also specify how often you want to back up and, from there, the software runs without further human intervention.

Backup is important because there are so many ways you can lose your data. If it’s compromised or lost due to a power outage, disaster or cyberattack, you can recover this data from one of your backups. Without a backup, your data can be lost forever.

There are many reasons why you want to use auto backup.

Auto backups can save you significant time. Once you set a few options, the software backs up your systems and data without human intervention. You don’t even need to stay at your computer.

You can safely backup your data when you’re at work or on a trip. There’s no need to watch over flash drives, CDs, etc. until a backup is complete. And as a bonus, you don’t need to remember where you keep updated copies of your essential data or complicated naming schemes so you know what is in each backup and the date of that backup.

An automated backup solution that enables you to create a full-disk image of your system is also a time saver if and when you need to recover your entire system or transfer your data and applications to a new device. Instead of taking the time and effort to load the operating system and applications, you can simply restore the full-disk image and have your operating systems, applications, and all of your data ― documents, spreadsheets, pictures, videos, etc. — at the ready.

One of the most significant benefits of automated backup is its reliability.

Backup software solutions enable you to schedule your backups and not worry about forgetting to do a backup. You simply “set it and forget it.”

What’s more, modern automated backups enable you to store your backups in the cloud so you will always have a reliable copy of your data ― wherever you go.

Data backups may seem overwhelming, especially if you choose to regularly make copies of your data.

On the other hand, a few clicks are enough to get the job done if you rely on automation. Most setups offer a user-friendly interface so that you can easily schedule backups. And if you run into any problems, you have access to an IT professional who can address your questions and issues and let you enjoy peace of mind knowing your data is protected.

Modern backup solutions may also include cybersecurity software to stop cyberattacks — including attacks originating from zero-day vulnerabilities — from harming both local backup and device data. If your backups are stored locally and you suffer a cyberattack, more than likely your local backup will be infected as well. This is why you want to consider a backup solution that not only stores your backups in the cloud but also scans your system, files and folders for infections and stops cyberattacks.

Furthermore, the integration of backup and cybersecurity can save an at-home PC or Mac user money because they only need to pay for a single solution that fully protects their data.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (formerly Acronis True Image) provides a unique integration of reliable backup and cutting-edge anti-malware technologies that safeguard data against all of today’s threats — disk failure, accidental deletion, loss and theft, as well as cybercriminal attacks. PCMag described it as “an all-encompassing tragedy prevention solution” in their “Editor’s Choice” review.

With Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, individuals and small businesses alike can back up their data — including operating systems, applications, settings, files and Microsoft 365 accounts to local drives, external hard drives, NAS and the Acronis cloud. In addition, Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office stops cyberattacks — including attacks resulting from zero-day vulnerabilities — from harming both backup and device data with real-time protection, vulnerability assessment, on-demand antivirus scans, web-filtering, ransomware protection, and a cryptomining blocker. In case of a disaster, data can be easily recovered.

Learn more about Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office or even better, try it out for free.