How to set up automated offsite backups using Backblaze B2 or Wasabi for your Brisbane small business

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up automated offsite backups using Backblaze B2 or Wasabi for your Brisbane small business. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Offsite backups ensure that your critical business data remains safe even if your local hardware fails, is stolen, or is compromised by ransomware. By using cloud object storage such as Backblaze B2 or Wasabi, Brisbane small businesses can implement a cost-effective "3-2-1" backup strategy without investing in expensive physical infrastructure.

Choosing Your Cloud Storage Provider

Both Backblaze B2 and Wasabi provide S3-compatible object storage. While Backblaze B2 is often preferred for its flexible pricing and ease of entry, Wasabi is known for having no egress fees, meaning you aren't charged when you download your data during a restore.

• Backblaze B2: Best for businesses wanting a simple setup and predictable monthly costs.
• Wasabi: Best for organisations that frequently restore large volumes of data.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Create an account with Backblaze B2 or Wasabi.
2. Create a "Bucket" (a storage container) in your chosen provider's console.
3. Generate an Application Key (Access Key and Secret Key) for authentication.
4. Install backup software that supports S3-compatible storage (e.g., Veeam, Duplicati, or Cyberduck).
5. Configure the software to point to your bucket using the Application Keys.
6. Schedule automated daily or weekly backups.

Detailed Instructions

1. Setting up your Storage Bucket

1. Log into your Backblaze B2 or Wasabi management console.
2. Select the option to Create a Bucket.
3. Give your bucket a unique name (e.g., brisbane-business-backups).
4. Set the bucket to Private to ensure your data is not publicly accessible.
5. Save the bucket configuration.

2. Generating Application Keys

1. Navigate to the Security or Keys section of your provider's dashboard.
2. Click Add a Key or Create Application Key.
3. Assign the key permissions to Read and Write for your specific bucket (Backblaze B2). For Wasabi, generate Access and Secret Keys at the account level.
4. Copy the Application Key ID and Application Key immediately. You will not be able to view the secret key again after closing the window.

3. Configuring your Backup Software

While software interfaces vary, the general configuration process for S3-compatible storage is as follows:

1. Open your backup application and select Add Backup Destination or New Repository.
2. Choose S3 Compatible Storage or Object Storage as the target type.
3. Enter the Endpoint URL provided by Backblaze B2 or Wasabi (e.g., s3.us-west-004.backblazeb2.com).
4. Enter your Access Key ID and Secret Access Key generated in the previous step.
5. Select the bucket you created from the dropdown list.
6. Select the folders on your local server or workstation you wish to protect (e.g., C:\Users\Admin\Documents).

4. Scheduling Automated Backups

1. Navigate to the Schedule settings within your backup job.
2. Select a frequency (Daily is recommended for most small businesses).
3. Set a time outside of business hours to avoid impacting network performance.
4. Enable Email Notifications so you are alerted if a backup fails.
5. Save and run a manual test backup to verify the connection.

5. Enabling Object Lock for Ransomware Protection

1. In your storage provider console, enable Object Lock or Object Immutability on your bucket.
2. Set a retention period (e.g., 30 days) to prevent backups from being deleted or modified, even by ransomware.
3. Configure your backup software to use Object Lock if supported.

Maintaining Your Backup Strategy

Setting up the backup is only the first step. To ensure your data is actually recoverable, follow these maintenance tips:

• Test Restores: Perform a test restore of a random file once a month to ensure the data is not corrupted.
• Monitor Alerts: Regularly check your backup logs for failure messages.
• Review Storage: Monitor your bucket size to ensure you are not exceeding your allocated budget.

If you encounter issues during setup or need assistance selecting the right provider for your organisation, please Open a Ticket.

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