Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 1 day ago
The 3-2-1 rule offers a simple framework for protecting your data
The 3-2-1 rule is a way to reduce the risk of losing important digital files.
It recommends keeping three copies of your data on two types of storage, with one copy kept offsite.
The rule was popularized by photographer Peter Krogh in a 2009 book about managing digital files.
Multiple copies help if a drive fails, while an offsite copy can protect against events such as a fire, flood or burglary at home.
A laptop, an external drive and a cloud backup are possible options, but syncing services may also delete a cloud copy when a file is deleted on your computer.
An offsite copy connected to a network can still be exposed to ransomware.
People can adapt the approach to their needs, and the story gives no specific next steps.
The 3-2-1 rule recommends keeping three copies of data on two types of media, with one copy stored offsite.
The approach is intended to protect files if a device fails or a disaster affects a storage location.
The rule was first popularized by photographer Peter Krogh in a 2009 book about digital asset management.
People can adapt the framework to their needs, using options such as external drives and cloud storage.
Cloud syncing may not provide an independent backup if deleting a file on one device also deletes it in the cloud.
- Who
- People seeking to protect their data.
- What
- The 3-2-1 rule recommends three data copies on two types of media, with one copy kept offsite.
- When
- The rule was popularized in 2009; the article was published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- To reduce the risk of losing data if a storage device fails or a disaster affects a location.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Photographer Peter Krogh popularized the 3-2-1 rule in his book The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers.
Engadget published an article explaining the rule and how people can use it.
- Copies
- Three copies of data
- Media
- Two types of media
- Offsite storage
- One copy kept offsite
- Popularized
- Photographer Peter Krogh, 2009
- Book
- The DAM Book: Digital Asset Management for Photographers
Sources
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