--- title: "Avoiding Data Risk & IT Pet Peeves: Weekly Roundup" description: Digital data storage has been around since 1951, but even today, businesses and consumers alike risk irreversible data loss if they fail to properly and consistently protect their data. The lesson? Don't tempt fate. Avoid learning that lesson the hard way by backing up before it's too late. canonical_url: https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/avoiding-data-risk-it-pet-peeves-weekly-roundup/ locale: en last_updated: 2026-10-27 --- [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) # Avoiding Data Risk & IT Pet Peeves: Weekly Roundup Digital data storage has been around since 1951, but even today, businesses and consumers alike risk irreversible data loss if they fail to properly and consistently protect their data. The lesson? Don't tempt fate. Avoid learning that lesson the hard way by backing up before it's too late. [Learn More](https://www.acronis.com/en/products/cyber-protect/) [![Image 2: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png)](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/ "Acronis Editorial Team") [Acronis Editorial Team](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/authors/acronis/) 2 min read Last updated 26 January 2015 Digital data storage has been around [since 1951](http://subzeroblog.acronis.com/posts/brief-history-data-storage), but even today, businesses and consumers alike risk irreversible data loss if they fail to properly and consistently protect their data. The lesson? Don't tempt fate. Avoid learning that lesson the hard way by backing up before it's too late. ### Risky Business Stuff happens. Drinks get spilled on laptops, phones fall into the toilet and tablets go missing. According to a recent Acronis survey, 1 out of 5 UK consumers admit to never backing up their files, even though the same percentage (20 percent) have had a device lost, stolen or damaged. It's just a matter of time before the rest suffer the same fate. That's why data backup must start today, says Nat Maple, general manager at Acronis. "While you might think your hardware is reliable, in reality it is not. Everything (yes, everything) fails, and once it does, all the important information you've stored on that device can be lost. In fact, it is not a question of _if_ a piece of technology will fail – it is _when,_" Maple says, who offers several painless ways for everyone to protect their precious data. _Read more at TechRadar_ ### MSPs: How To Assess Customer Data Disasters IT administrators may hope that data disasters never occur on their watch, but it's important to have a plan in case something goes wrong. (It will.) The same holds true for MSPs, whose customers depend on them to protect against data loss and to lead them through recovery. Ken Bickmore, owner of CCNS Consulting, shares three steps his company follows to ensure customers get back up and running smoothly: * Start by meeting with the customer to assess the impact of the incident. * Confirm that all communication channels are functioning as planned. * Establish the recovery timeline and plan. _Read more at MSPMentor_ ### IT Pet Peeves: Employee Habits that Jeopardize Data IT pros don't want to put the kibosh on employees trying out new technology or using social media, but their hands are tied when employees' bad habits put data at risk. According to a new study about IT administrator behavior by software company, TeamViewer, nearly half of IT admins surveyed witnessed illegal downloading among employees, which can put company data at risk. And that's not the half of it. Unauthorized application usage and irresponsible data sharing were rampant, among other risky behaviors. _Read more at eWeek_ ### Data Storage Through the Ages Data storage predates the digital revolution or the [first automatic computer in 1951](http://subzeroblog.acronis.com/posts/brief-history-data-storage). Data storage and backup, while initially carried out manually with documenting and filing systems, has historically been prone to loss due to natural disasters, fires and simply getting misplaced. The earliest form of data storage that resembled the punch card system of the first computers, is actually, according to Mashable, the first player pianos because of the data held in the machines' punch cards. We've come a long way since the punch cards of the '40s, to be sure. _Read more at Mashable_ [Cybersecurity](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cybersecurity/) [Cyber protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/tags/cyber-protection/) ## Written by ![Image 3: Acronis Editorial Team](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/content/d85707ae91461544212d39836dc32b42.png) Acronis Editorial Team Acronis is a global cyber protection company that provides natively integrated cybersecurity, data protection, and endpoint management for managed service providers (MSPs), small and medium businesses (SMBs), and enterprise IT departments. [Previous post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/sledgehammers-blowtorches-gratifying-ways-destroy-hard-drive/) [From Sledgehammers to Blowtorches, Gratifying Ways to Destroy a Hard Drive](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/sledgehammers-blowtorches-gratifying-ways-destroy-hard-drive/) [Next post](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/maximize-collaboration-mobile-workforce/) [Maximize Collaboration for a Mobile Workforce](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/maximize-collaboration-mobile-workforce/) About Acronis Acronis is a leader in AI-native cyber protection, unifying data protection, cybersecurity, IT operations and hybrid infrastructure to deliver business continuity, security and compliance with less cost and complexity. More than 21,000 service providers trust Acronis to protect over 750,000 businesses in 150 countries. Acronis is headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=acronis.com) ## Related stories Want to learn more? Read the latest stories featuring this solution on our blog. [Acronis Blog](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/) ![Image 4: stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/9600f3eea83b8f4e168ea6c1409c8c26.png) [stc Bahrain and Acronis partner to bring advanced endpoint security to businesses in Bahrain](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/stc-bahrain-and-acronis-partner-to-bring-endpoint-security-to-businesses/) We are proud to announce a strategic partnership with stc Bahrain, expanding access to advanced cybersecurity services for businesses across Bahrain. **October 26, 2026**3 min read ![Image 5: Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/30cb571f6f1aaa131733e5727a4a250c.png) [Introducing New Acronis CEO: Prakash Panjwani](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/introducing-new-acronis-ceo-prakash-panjwani/) We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Prakash Panjwani. A veteran cybersecurity CEO, Panjwani previously served as CEO of WatchGuard Technologies and SafeNet. **October 15, 2026**2 min read ![Image 6: Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://staticfiles.acronis.com/images/blog-card/18e90e89f5ec4ef0901f19008d4ccbf2.png) [Acronis expands MDR toward broader workspace protection](https://www.acronis.com/en/blog/posts/acronis-expands-mdr-toward-broader-workspace-protection/) Acronis is expanding the MDR service with capabilities that make this expertise easier to deliver and help partners address more risks. The developments build on a broader commitment to managed security: helping service providers protect the connected workspace while giving customers access to the expertise needed to investigate threats, respond effectively and maintain business continuity. **October 13, 2026**6 min read