28% of UK SMEs Do Not Backup Data

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are putting data at risk according to new research – 351 businesses interviewed – published by Buffalo Technology. The research also indicates that data backup is being ignored and, as a result, sensitive business and customer information is going astray.

Buffalo Technology has discovered that 28 per cent of SMEs do not backup company data. When these businesses were asked why this was the case, time (34 per cent), security worries (16 per cent) and not being concerned (14 per cent) were listed as the main reasons. Other small businesses (13 per cent) found complexity a barrier.

However, 46 per cent said that they would backup all their data if the process was automated and 23 per cent said they would if it was quicker and easier. Security and reliability also featured as influential reasons.

Paul Hudson, Northern European Sales Director, Buffalo Technology, commented: “What this research highlights is that businesses are still to wake up to the fact that securing their company and customer information is a must. At a time when customer retention is just as significant as growth, giving your clients the confide nce that their personal information is in safe hands has never been so important.”

Buffalo Technology commissioned Insight UK, provider of IT products and services, to carry out the research to look at technology issues small firms in the UK are facing in the current economy.

Paul Hudson added: “Taking the appropriate steps to backup and secure data, whether on desktop PCs or company laptops, has never been easier and quicker. High capacity, easy to deploy and easy to manage data storage solutions are examples of a technology that can effortlessly transform SME IT systems into robust and secure business networks.”