Select at least a three-year on-site or next-business-day warranty backed by reliable vendor support.
Power Efficiency
Check PSU efficiency ratings (80 PLUS Gold or better) and overall energy consumption to reduce operating costs.
Compatibility with Software and Applications
Verify driver availability and ensure mission-critical apps and databases are certified for the chosen platform.
Read Reviews and Seek Expert Advice
Consult reputable benchmarks, case studies, and IT professionals who specialise in small-business deployments.
Compare Options
Short-list viable models, then weigh specifications, feature sets, and total cost of ownership before purchasing.
Final Thoughts
Remember that the “right” server for your small business will depend on your unique needs, so take the time to thoroughly research and consider your options. It’s also worth consulting with IT professionals to get personalized recommendations based on your specific requirements.
Contact OConnell I.T. for a free chat about your needs.
Preparing for a ransomware attack is crucial to minimize the potential damage and ensure a swift recovery. Here are the top 10 ways to prepare for a ransomware attack:
Regular Backups: Maintain regular backups of all critical data and systems. Ensure backups are stored offline and in a secure location. Regularly test the restoration process to ensure its reliability.
Update Software and Systems: Keep all software, operating systems, and applications up to date with the latest security patches. Many ransomware attacks exploit known vulnerabilities.
Employee Training: Educate employees about the risks of phishing emails and social engineering. Train them to recognize suspicious attachments, links, and websites.
Network Segmentation: Segregate networks to prevent lateral movement by attackers. Limit access privileges to only those who need them to perform their tasks.
Endpoint Security: Implement robust endpoint security solutions, including antivirus, anti-malware, and intrusion detection systems, to detect and prevent ransomware threats.
Email Filtering: Utilize advanced email filtering solutions to block malicious attachments and links before they reach users’ inboxes.
Incident Response Plan: Develop a comprehensive incident response plan that outlines steps to take in the event of a ransomware attack. This plan should cover communication, isolation of affected systems, and coordination with law enforcement and IT experts.
Ransomware Simulation Exercises: Conduct periodic simulation exercises to test your organization’s response to a ransomware attack. This helps identify gaps in your preparedness and fine-tune your response strategies.
Security Audits: Regularly perform security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your IT infrastructure. Address these issues promptly to reduce the attack surface.
Cyber Insurance: Consider obtaining cyber insurance coverage that includes ransomware-related incidents. This can help offset the financial impact of a successful attack.
11. Zero Trust Architecture: Implement a zero trust approach to cybersecurity, where no user or system is inherently trusted, and access is granted based on continuous authentication and least privilege principles.
By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly enhance your organization’s resilience against ransomware attacks. Remember that while prevention is ideal, having a well-prepared and practiced response plan in place is equally important in minimizing the impact of a potential attack.
When it comes to protecting your business, having offsite backups isn’t just smart — it’s essential.
An offsite backup means storing copies of your important files, documents, and systems in a completely different location from your office or home.
That way, even if disaster strikes — fire, flood, theft, or cyberattack — your data stays safe and your business keeps running.
Why Offsite Backups Are So Important
Keeping backups in the same building as your computer systems can leave you vulnerable. Offsite backups add an extra layer of protection so you’re covered from every angle:
Disaster Recovery
If your business suffers damage from a fire, flood, or severe weather, your offsite backups ensure your data survives.
Protection from Theft
In the event of a break-in, thieves may take your equipment — but they can’t steal your offsite backups.
Geographical Safety Net
Storing data in a different area shields you from regional issues like power outages, infrastructure failures, or severe storms.
Ransomware Defense
Some viruses and cyberattacks can lock or delete both your files and local backups. Offsite backups stay isolated and secure, ready when you need them most.
Remote Access to Your Data
Working from home? Traveling? Offsite backups make your data accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Scalability for Growing Businesses
As your company expands, offsite backup options scale with you — no need to overhaul your local setup.
Meet Industry Regulations
Many industries require strict data protection. Offsite backups help ensure you stay compliant with privacy laws and regulations.
Extra Cloud Backup Protection
Even if you use cloud services, having an additional offsite backup — stored separately — gives your data another safety net.
Restore Previous File Versions
Made a mistake? Offsite backups often include older copies of your files, so you can easily roll back to an earlier version.
Peace of Mind
You work hard for your business — offsite backups help you sleep easy, knowing your data is protected, no matter what happens.
How to Get Started with Offsite Backups
Protecting your data doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to start:
Choose a Reliable Backup Provider Look for cloud services or remote backup options with proven security and reputation.
Automate Your Backups Manual backups get forgotten. Automated backups happen on schedule — every day, without fail.
Diversify Your Storage Locations Use a mix of cloud storage and secure physical backups for maximum protection.
Test Your Backups Check your backups regularly to make sure they work and your data can be restored quickly when needed.
Ready to Protect Your Business?
Data loss can cripple a business — but with offsite backups, you stay one step ahead.
Talk to OConnell I.T. today for expert advice and affordable offsite backup solutions tailored to your needs.
➡️ Call now or request your free consultation. Let’s safeguard your data the smart way.
Picking up where antivirus and firewalls leave off, a well-planned backup routine is your business’s last line of defense against data chaos. Whether you run a two-person bookkeeping shop on Main Street, a creative agency juggling terabytes of media, or manage dozens of field technicians across Long Island, losing client files can mean charge-backs, compliance fines, or shattered trust in seconds. Too many small companies learn the hard way after a single lightning strike or spilled latte. Take a proactive stance now and treat backups as non-negotiable.
1. Data Loss Prevention
Every file on your network—quotes, invoices, design drafts, customer photos—exists only as magnetic charges or electrical pulses. One accidental drag-and-drop into the recycle bin, an unexpected power outage, or a corrupt save can wipe it out in an instant. A recent backup turns that nightmare into a quick two-minute restore, keeping staff productive and customers blissfully unaware anything went wrong. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
2. Hardware Failure
Hard drives have moving parts that spin thousands of times a minute; SSDs rely on flash cells that wear down each time you write data. Even brand-name gear eventually gives up the ghost. When that day comes, having an up-to-date image means you swap the bad drive, reload the image, and boot up as if nothing happened—no frantic phone calls, no lost billable hours. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
3. Ransomware & Cyberattacks
Long Island businesses are prime targets for ransomware gangs looking for quick payouts. Malicious code can encrypt terabytes of data in minutes and demand Bitcoin before you get the decryption key. Offline or cloud snapshots let you tell the crooks to take a hike, re-image your systems, and be operational again before lunch. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
4. Natural Disasters
Flooded basements, Nor’easter wind damage, or a simple sprinkler mishap can destroy every server in the office. Off-site and cloud repositories mean your critical data lives far from local hazards. When the power comes back, your files come back with it. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
5. Human Error
We’re all human. Someone will overwrite the master spreadsheet, drop a folder in the wrong directory, or click “Yes” instead of “No.” With versioned backups you rewind to yesterday’s pristine state, turning a potential meltdown into a learning moment. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
6. Risky Software Updates
Firmware flashes, operating-system patches, and app upgrades sometimes go sideways. A full-system backup taken right before Patch Tuesday lets you roll back cleanly if the new update breaks printers or corrupts your database. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
7. Long-Term Storage & Compliance
Regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and state tax rules require records to be retained for years. Archival backups stored on immutable media satisfy auditors while freeing up primary storage for day-to-day work. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
8. Version Control
Creative teams often need to compare edits, revert to an earlier draft, or pluck a single layer from last month’s Photoshop file. Incremental backups that capture point-in-time versions make that painless. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
9. Business Continuity
If a server crash takes down your quoting system at 10 a.m., how many sales will you miss by noon? Regular backups underpin a disaster-recovery plan, letting you spin up cloud instances or standby hardware and stay open for business. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
10. Peace of Mind
Perhaps the most underrated benefit is psychological. When staff know their work is protected, they try new ideas, adopt new software, and innovate without the fear of irreversible mistakes. Modern backup software automates snapshots and notifies you if something fails—zero babysitting required.
Building a Resilient Backup Strategy: The 3-2-1 Rule
At OConnell I.T. we preach the time-tested 3-2-1 approach, a concept even NASA leans on for mission-critical telemetry:
3 copies – your working data plus two independent backups, drastically lowering the odds of simultaneous loss.
2 different media – for example, an on-premises RAID-based NAS combined with encrypted object storage in the cloud.
1 off-site copy – physically or geographically separate, guarding files against regional disasters and office break-ins.
We layer this with automated scheduling, end-to-end encryption, role-based access, and quarterly test restores witnessed by your team. After all, a backup you haven’t restored is just theoretical.
For companies handling regulated data we also offer immutable storage tiers, ensuring snapshots can’t be altered—even by an administrator account compromised by phishing.
Common Backup Mistakes to Avoid
Same-disk “backups” – copying files to another folder on the same drive offers zero protection when that drive dies or a virus strikes.
Manual processes – relying on someone to plug in a USB drive every Friday guarantees missed runs, especially on holiday weekends.
Unverified restores – discovering that yesterday’s backup is corrupt after you need it is the worst possible timing.
Single backup set – newer ransomware variants actively seek and encrypt network shares; keep at least one offline or air-gapped copy.
Ignoring mobile data – laptops and smartphones carry critical data too; include them in your plan or risk blind spots.
Need Backup Help? We’re Local.
If crafting PowerShell scripts, choosing between S3, Azure Blob, or Wasabi, and documenting retention policies feels overwhelming, let us handle it. OConnell I.T. has protected Bohemia businesses since 2004 with turnkey solutions sized for real-world budgets. From single-laptop freelancers to multi-site retailers, we design, deploy, and monitor backup ecosystems that simply work—24/7.
Call or email, our office for a free 20-minute assessment. We’ll review your current setup, flag risks, and outline a clear path to bulletproof backups. Your future self will thank you.
