While Xero does perform regular backups of their system for disaster recovery and data integrity purposes, you as the business owner are ultimately responsible for backing up your own Xero data.
This is explicitly stated in Xero’s Terms of Use, which emphasizes that you are responsible for maintaining copies of your data entered into their services.
Why Xero doesn’t take full responsibility:
- Data ownership: Your business data belongs to you, and Xero acts as a custodian of that data. They provide the platform and tools to manage it, but the responsibility for safeguarding your own data lies with you.
- Data loss scenarios: Xero’s backups are designed to protect against system-wide failures and data corruption.However, they may not cover scenarios like accidental deletion by users, malware attacks targeting your specific account, or other localized data loss events.
How to ensure your data is backed up:
- Regularly export your data: Xero provides various ways to export your data, including manual exports to CSV or PDF formats. You should establish a regular backup schedule and store these exports in a secure location (e.g.,external hard drive or cloud storage).
- Utilize third-party backup solutions: Many third-party apps integrate with Xero and offer automated backup solutions with additional features like versioning and encryption.
- Consider Xero’s backup add-on: Xero offers a paid backup service as an add-on, which automatically backs up your data to a secure location.
By taking proactive measures to back up your Xero data, you can ensure that you have a copy of your valuable financial information readily available in case of any unforeseen events. This will help you maintain business continuity and avoid potential losses due to data loss.