In order to back up your system, you will need a
backup device. Some people use Zip or Jazz drives,
others use tape drives, write able CD drives, or other
removable cartridge systems. I know it sounds
expensive, but compared with the cost of losing your
valuable data forever, each of these is cheap.

I've found that the best all-around product for backup
is Backup Exec. This product requires a tape drive, as
do most other third-party backup solutions. Backup
Exec is preferred because it can be made totally
automatic and is one of the top-rated products
industry-wide.  If you want to back up to other media,
though, you'll do best to stick with the backup
software that comes with the media.

An important fact that I've noticed about backup is
that you have to make it a part of your normal routine.
Even if you have automated backups set up and
working perfectly, you must check them constantly. If
you don't you will find yourself without a backup when
you need it most! My advice is to try restoring files
from your backup occasionally when you don't need it
so you are ready and are sure you have good backups
when you do need them.

Be careful when choosing backup mediums for longer
range storage. There is nothing more frustrating then to
need a backup, go to it and find that the file that you
need cannot be retrieved because the media is
corrupt! For critical data I usually make sure I have
backups on several different media (perhaps tape and
zip disk), and for the really important stuff I tend to
rotate through half a dozen different medias. I mean,
think about it, is the data for your entire company
worth a few dollars for some hardware and media?
Don't risk all of your years of hard work trying to save
a few dollars on media.