It’s Not What You Think — And Most Businesses Are Guilty of It

When people think of major IT mistakes, they imagine things like using weak passwords, skipping updates, or delaying cloud migration. But the biggest and most dangerous mistake we see?

Assuming your backups are working — when they’re not.

Yes, you might have backups in place. You might even be paying for a backup solution. But if no one is actively monitoring and testing those backups, you might find out the hard way that they don’t work when you need them most.

Backup Failure = Business Failure

Your data is the backbone of your business. If you lose access to it — even temporarily — you could face:

• Days or weeks of downtime
• Lost client records, financials, or project files
• Missed deadlines, lost trust, and legal exposure
• Thousands in recovery costs or ransom payments

We’ve seen it happen. A client gets hit with ransomware. They assume they’re covered. But when we check their backups? The last successful copy is months old — and not a single one is restorable.

Why This Mistake Happens So Often

Many businesses believe they’re covered simply because a vendor “set up” backups at some point. But without active oversight, that’s not enough.

Here’s where things go wrong:

• Backups fail silently due to storage issues or expired credentials
• The wrong data is being backed up (or only partially backed up)
• Backups are stored locally and get encrypted during an attack
• No one has tested a restore — so recovery time is unknown
• Vendors charge extra to actually restore the data during a disaster

Without proper IT support, these risks often go unnoticed — until it’s too late.

What Real Backup and Recovery Should Look Like

A reliable data backup and recovery solution doesn’t just store files. It ensures you can get back to business fast after any disruption.

Here’s what you should expect:

• Automatic backups of all critical systems and applications
• Off-site and cloud-based storage with encryption
• Daily monitoring and alerting for backup failures
• Monthly test restores to validate recoverability
• Clear recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO)

These protections should be included in your managed IT services — not treated as optional add-ons.

Signs Your Backup System Might Be Failing You

Ask yourself (or your IT provider):

• When was the last time we tested a full restore?
• Can we recover data from last week, last month, and yesterday?
• Do we back up cloud systems like Microsoft 365 and QuickBooks Online?
• Would our backups survive a ransomware attack or building fire?
• Who’s responsible for watching over our backups every day?

If the answers aren’t clear — or if you’re relying on hope instead of a system — it’s time to make a change.

One Call Can Prevent a Business-Shattering Mistake

You don’t need to lose sleep over your data. With the right plan, you can recover quickly from anything — whether it’s a ransomware attack, accidental deletion, or hardware failure.

Start with a network assessment. We’ll show you exactly where your backup and recovery plan stands — and how to fix it fast.

Book a Free 15-Minute Strategy Call

Not sure if your backups are really working?

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation and let’s make sure you’re protected before a disaster strikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most overlooked IT mistake businesses make?
Assuming backups are working without verifying them regularly — it’s the leading cause of avoidable data loss.

How often should backups be tested?
At least monthly. We recommend running test restores as part of your managed IT services.

Can I rely on cloud tools like Microsoft 365 for backups?
No. Microsoft 365 has limited retention. You still need third-party backup and recovery solutions to protect your data.

How do I know if my current backup system is reliable?
Schedule a network assessment to review backup performance, storage locations, and restore capabilities.

Is data backup included in most IT service plans?
Not always. Some providers treat it as an optional add-on. At IntermixIT, we include it in every managed IT plan.

How long does it take to recover from a data loss?
It depends on your recovery time objectives (RTO). We aim to restore business operations in 1–2 hours for most clients.

What happens if backups fail without me knowing?
That’s the biggest risk. Without daily monitoring, failed backups can go unnoticed for months.

Can ransomware affect my backups?
Yes — if they’re not segmented or stored off-site. That’s why layered security and smart cybersecurity support are essential.

What should be backed up besides files?
You should back up entire systems, applications, settings, and cloud accounts — not just file folders.

How can I protect my business from data disasters?
Start with proper backup tools, regular testing, and a trusted IT partner that monitors everything daily.