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Laserfiche Disaster Recovery: Implementing the 3-2-1 Rule for Data Protection

Joe Mempin



Organizations rely on enterprise content management (ECM) systems like Laserfiche to store, manage, and secure their critical documents—but without a solid disaster recovery plan, that data could be at risk from cyberattacks, natural disasters, or hardware failures. Without a strong disaster recovery (DR) plan, data loss can lead to operational disruptions, regulatory compliance issues, and financial losses.


Businesses and government agencies using Laserfiche must implement a solid backup and recovery strategy. One of the most effective frameworks for disaster recovery is the 3-2-1 rule, which ensures that data remains protected and accessible even in the worst-case scenario. Additionally, leveraging Laserfiche’s trusted systems capability enhances data security, integrity, and compliance throughout recovery.


What Is the 3-2-1 Rule?


The 3-2-1 rule is a best practice for data backup and disaster recovery, widely adopted across industries. It consists of three key principles:

  • Three copies of data—You should maintain at least three copies of your data: the primary data and two backups.

  • Two different storage types – Store copies on at least two media types (e.g., cloud and on-premises storage).

  • One offsite backup – Keep at least one backup copy in an offsite location to protect against local disasters.

This approach ensures that data remains available and restorable even if one backup method fails. When combined with Laserfiche’s built-in disaster recovery tools and trusted systems capability, the 3-2-1 rule strengthens an organization's resilience against unexpected data loss.


How Laserfiche Supports Disaster Recovery


Laserfiche offers several disaster recovery and backup solutions that align with the 3-2-1 rule, allowing organizations to safeguard their data effectively. Here’s how:


1. Multiple Copies of Data (3 Copies)

Laserfiche Cloud and Laserfiche self-hosted solutions enable organizations to maintain multiple copies of their data. In a cloud environment, Laserfiche automatically replicates data across secure data centers. IT teams can configure Laserfiche’s backup tools to create multiple copies of repositories and databases for self-hosted deployments, ensuring data remains intact and accessible.


2. Diverse Storage Options (2 Different Media)

To comply with the 3-2-1 rule, organizations should diversify their storage media. Laserfiche Cloud stores data redundantly across multiple secure locations, while on-premises deployments can leverage network-attached storage (NAS), disk-based backups, or external drives. Many organizations integrate Laserfiche with third-party backup solutions like Veeam or Acronis to diversify storage further. Furthermore, Laserfiche’s trusted systems capability ensures that backed-up data maintains its authenticity and meets compliance requirements.


3. Offsite Backup for Recovery (1 Offsite Copy)

The most critical element of the 3-2-1 rule is ensuring that at least one backup is stored offsite. Laserfiche Cloud inherently meets this requirement by storing data in geographically distributed data centers. For self-hosted environments, IT teams should regularly back up Laserfiche data to a secure cloud service (e.g., AWS, Azure) or a remote data center to mitigate risks from local disasters such as fires or ransomware attacks. Laserfiche’s trusted systems capability further reinforces data integrity, ensuring that offsite backups remain secure and untampered.


Implementing the 3-2-1 Rule with Laserfiche

For organizations using Laserfiche, implementing the 3-2-1 backup rule is straightforward:

  1. Schedule Regular Backups – Automate daily or weekly backups of Laserfiche repositories to ensure data integrity.

  2. Use a Hybrid Storage Approach – Store backups on local servers and cloud-based services for redundancy.

  3. Test Recovery Plans – Regularly test restoration procedures to verify that backups are functional and accessible when needed.


Data loss is not a question of "if" but "when." Implementing the 3-2-1 rule with Laserfiche ensures organizations can recover quickly and continue operations with minimal disruption. Whether using Laserfiche Cloud or self-hosting your deployment, a well-planned disaster recovery strategy safeguards your critical documents and business processes. By integrating Laserfiche’s trusted systems capability, organizations can further enhance data security, compliance, and resilience against threats.


CPS helps organizations optimize their Laserfiche disaster recovery strategies. Contact us today if you need guidance on implementing the 3-2-1 rule for your Laserfiche environment!


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