A backup file is like insurance -- you hope you’ll never need it, but if you do, you’ll be so glad you have it. Your trusty computer can fail without warning, says Jerry Stuckle, webmaster for the Independent Computer Consultants Association, a not-for-profit trade association. A hard drive can crash, or a catastrophic fire or flood could destroy your system. Files can be damaged by a software glitch, viruses, worms or Trojan horses. Or you might make an honest mistake and accidentally delete an important file, or even a whole folder of crucial data. If you’re embarrassed to ask about your company’s backup system, just think how you’d feel if you powered up one morning, only to find your important documents gone.

Backing up can be as simple as emailing a file to a web-based account, but it sounds as if your company might have a more complete solution. Ask how to use the company’s backup system. Or, maybe you could organize a tutorial for you and other employees who also need to know. Chances are you aren’t the only one tempting the fates with important data.