On World Backup Day, new research shows that a large majority of people now rely on digital platforms to store their most personal information, raising fresh concerns about how safely that data is being handled.
According to findings shared by Kaspersky, 84% of users keep sensitive data such as identification documents, financial records, medical details, and personal photos in electronic form. While this reflects a shift toward convenience and accessibility, it also highlights growing risks in the digital space.
The study reveals clear generational differences. Younger users, particularly millennials and Gen Z, prefer storing almost everything digitally. In contrast, nearly one-third of people over the age of 55 still rely on paper records, suggesting a lingering trust in traditional methods.
When it comes to where data is stored, more than half of respondents use computers or hard drives, while nearly half depend on cloud services. A smaller portion also uses government-backed digital platforms. Each option, however, comes with its own challenges physical devices can be damaged or lost, while cloud systems can be exposed to unauthorized access.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, they recommend a balanced approach, such as the widely known “3-2-1 backup rule” keeping three copies of important data, stored on two different types of media, with at least one copy kept off-site.
The report also points to a concerning habit among users: despite high awareness, many still rely on weak or easy-to-remember passwords. Around 36% of respondents admitted using such passwords, leaving their data vulnerable to cyberattacks. Experts suggest enabling two-factor authentication and using password managers to strengthen security.
To make data protection easier, users are encouraged to automate backups through built-in services like cloud syncing and regularly test whether their files can actually be restored. This helps avoid unpleasant surprises when data is urgently needed.
Marina Titova, a senior official at Kaspersky, noted that many people delay backups because the process feels overwhelming. She suggested treating backups as a routine task prioritizing critical files, automating important data, and scheduling the rest over time.
