Regularly backing up the settings of your network devices—such as routers, switches, and firewalls—is a crucial but often overlooked part of managing your business IT. These settings control how your network connects to the internet, how data flows internally, and what security measures are in place. If these configurations are lost or corrupted, restoring your network to normal operation can become complicated and time-consuming.
Why this matters for UK SMEs
For small and medium-sized businesses in the UK, unexpected network downtime can disrupt daily operations, reduce staff productivity, and damage customer trust. Unlike data backups that protect files and databases, device configuration backups ensure your network hardware can be quickly restored after a failure, cyberattack, or accidental change. This is especially important for compliance with UK regulations like the Data Protection Act 2018 and Cyber Essentials, which expect businesses to have appropriate technical controls and recovery plans in place.
A typical scenario
Imagine a UK-based company with around 50 employees that relies on a firewall to protect sensitive customer data and a router to manage internet traffic. One day, a firmware update causes the firewall to reset to default settings, disabling key security rules. Without a recent backup of the device configuration, the IT team spends hours manually reconfiguring the firewall, during which time the network is vulnerable and some services are offline. A managed IT provider with regular backup processes could have restored the previous settings within minutes, minimising disruption and risk.
Practical checklist for your business
- Ask your IT provider: How often do you back up network device configurations? Are backups automated and stored securely offsite?
- Review SLAs: Does your service agreement include rapid restoration of device settings after incidents?
- Internal checks: Confirm who has access to network devices and whether multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled for management interfaces.
- Backup verification: Request evidence that backups are tested regularly to ensure they can be restored successfully.
- Documentation: Keep an up-to-date inventory of network devices, including models, firmware versions, and configuration backup schedules.
Backing up network device settings is a straightforward step that can save your business significant time and risk. If you're unsure about your current approach, speak with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor who can review your network management practices and help implement reliable backup and recovery processes tailored to your business needs.