12/23/2019 / By Grace Olson
As a prepper, you understand the need to have physical back-up copies of important documents. But did you know that you need to have digital backups as well? (h/t to SHTFBlog.com)
The need for a digital bug-out bag basically boils down to two reasons: convenience and portability.
Consider this scenario. A fire broke out in your home, and you need to present papers to corresponding authorities for processing. You may have kept physical back-up copies of these important documents inside the house or your bug-out location (BOL). However, the documents inside the house may no longer be available and you’ll have to go out of your way to your BOL. On the other hand, with a digital copy, you can simply borrow a computer or directly use your phone to submit the requirements. It’s not fool-proof, but it does give a sense of comfort for an already bad day.
On the issue of portability, imagine running in the middle of an SHTF situation. It is a lot easier to run and carry a USB stick rather than a bundle of papers in your bug-out bag. Additionally, physical copies can get wet, torn or lost. With that scenario in mind, it may be best to have digital copies just in case.
To prepare your digital bug-out bag, follow the quick guide below:
People today have several documents for a variety of reasons. Ideally, you’ll have a copy of each one. But while digital storage has more space for files, it is inevitably limited. Here are some of the things you need to prioritize:
Other items you may consider adding are treasured photos and videos, as well as copies of your favorite songs and the like.
Once you have digital copies of all your important documents, the next thing you should do is to store them in hardware such as USB sticks, CDs and memory cards. Just to be safe, it’s best to have a copy stored in each kind of hardware.
In case of loss or theft, you don’t want people gaining immediate access to your files, so you need to encrypt them somehow. Here are possible ways to do so:
As a rule, it’s best to have multiple back-ups of your important files. Store multiple copies in USB sticks and CDs, along with online storage. You can attach them to an e-mail and send them to yourself and to a trusted family member or colleague in case you’re left incapacitated.
Store your back-ups in multiple locations, including your home, workplace, or a remote deposit box. Keep one in your everyday-carry kit, get home bag, and bug-out bag. It’s best to have some physical and digital copies stored in your bug-out location as well. (Related: Make sure you have hard copies of these documents for post-disaster life rebuilding.)
When SHTF, documents may seem useless due to the loss of system. Nonetheless, having copies of your important documents can help offer a sense of security and self in an otherwise chaotic world.
Know which items to prepare for when SHTF and raise your chances of survival at BugOut.news.
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Tagged Under: bug out, bugout, digital bug-out bag, digital copies, digital documents, digital storage, encrypted files, encryption, how-to, important documents, off grid / off the grid living, preparedness, prepper, prepping, self-defense, survival, survivalist, USB storage
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