Just under 30% of small and medium-sized businesses are putting sensitive and confidential data at risk by not backing it up, according to research conducted by Buffalo Technology.

The most common answer from small companies as to why they were not backing up their data was a lack of time, with 34% citing this as the main factor. 14% said that they did not think that it was important and 13% found the process too complex.

"What this research highlights is that businesses are still to wake up to the fact that securing their company and customer information is a must. At a time when customer retention is just as significant as growth, giving your clients the confidence that their personal information is in safe hands has never been so important," said Paul Hudson of Buffalo Technology.