Data sovereignty
Local backup: how to protect your manuscript (without the cloud)?
Refusing to let your texts be vacuumed up by the artificial intelligence of Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud is a choice of sovereignty. But losing months of work due to theft or hardware failure is unthinkable. Here is the essential equipment to secure your writing offline.
The golden "3-2-1" rule adapted for the indie author
Whether you write on a MacBook in a train, on a Windows laptop, or from your sedentary desktop workstation, your files are vulnerable if they only exist in one place.
IT professionals use the 3-2-1 rule. For an author who uses LocalProse and refuses the public cloud, this translates as follows:
- 3 copies of your manuscript: The original file on your PC + 2 distinct backups.
- 2 different media: A home NAS server (which backs up live) and an external SSD hard drive (plugged in once a week).
- 1 copy kept off-site: A small SSD or encrypted USB flash drive left at the office, at your parents', or in a safe, which protects you in the event of a major disaster (fire, burglary).
Hardware encryption (AES 256-bit)
Backing up your novel to an external drive is good. Protecting it with a password is essential. By choosing media equipped with AES-256 hardware encryption, your data becomes mathematically indecipherable in case of theft, without slowing down transfers.
The sovereign writer's hardware
Synology DS223 (2-Bay NAS 8TB Bundle)
- Type: Private Network Attached Storage (NAS) server
- Storage Capacity: 8 TB bundle (includes 2x 4TB Seagate IronWolf NAS hard drives)
- The technical secret (RAID 1): This enclosure holds two hard drives. Thanks to "RAID 1" technology, the NAS copies your manuscript in real time to both drives simultaneously. If one drive fails mechanically, the other takes over instantly. Zero data loss.
- The LocalProse perk: Powered by a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor and 2 GB DDR4 RAM, it plugs into your internet router to silently sync LocalProse folders over your home network without you having to think about it. You get the convenience of Google Drive, without ever handing your texts over to cloud AIs.
Samsung T7 Shield (1 TB External SSD)
- Type: Rugged external NVMe SSD (anti-shock casing)
- The technical secret: This drive has no moving mechanical parts. It is covered with a tough rubber elastomer armor that absorbs drops from up to 9.8 feet, and it is IP65-rated for water and dust resistance.
- The LocalProse perk: The perfect travel companion. It features AES 256-bit hardware encryption with password protection. Even if it gets stolen in a cafe along with your computer, your manuscript and world-building notes remain mathematically impenetrable to the thief.
Crucial X9 Pro (1 TB External SSD)
- Type: Ultra-compact external SSD (AES 256-bit encryption)
- The technical secret: Its compact dimensions and feather-light weight (just over an ounce) make it a medium that easily fits in a coin pocket. Despite its miniature size, it is a true high-speed, reliable SSD and not just a slow USB flash drive.
- The LocalProse perk: Perfect for accomplishing the "1" of the 3-2-1 backup rule (the copy kept somewhere other than your home). You can back up your novel once a week, then slip this tiny encrypted hard drive into your desk drawer at work or leave it securely at a relative's house.
⌨️ The word artisan's complete equipment
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Write with peace of mind with LocalProse
Protect your novels from hardware failures as well as cloud indiscretions. Generate readable local files and back them up wherever you decide, while enjoying the power of a local AI that never shares your data.