Daily operations generate lots of data files. Data can be corrupted, lost, compromised or stolen via human error, hardware failure, malware and hacking. Loss or corruption of data files might result in potentially significant disruption. A backup is a process of archiving of device data such that it can be used to restore, in case of a data loss.
Backups are primarily used for two purposes. First, for recovering data, in case data is deleted, loss, or corrupted. Second, recovering legacy data as per data retention policy. Therefore, essentially it should be part of disaster recovery plan.
As backup contains minimum single copy of all data files, considered worth saving, the data storage requisitions can be significant. Hence, a data repository model has to be used to provide structure to the storage devices, that can be arranged to provide geographic redundancy, portability, and data security. Data are selected, extracted and then manipulated before transferring to respective storage locations.
To optimize backup procedure distinguished techniques have been developed like, encryption, compression, and de-duplication. Any backup strategy starts with a concept of a data repository.
Data backup and recovery is an integral part of the daily operations and information technology disaster recovery plan. A data backup strategy needs to identify what data to backup, selecting and implementing hardware and software backup procedures, scheduling and conducting backups and periodically validating that data has been accurately backed up.
Designing the Data Backup Plan
Identify data files on your computer, network, laptop computers and wireless devices which needs to be backed up and archived along with other hard copy records and information. Such plan must include regularly routine scheduled backups from wireless devices, laptop computers and desktop computers to a network server. Backing up hard copy important records can be attained by scanning paper records into digital formats and permitting them to be backed up along with other digital data.
Data Backup Options
Cartridges, tapes, cloud, large capacity USB drives having integrated data backup software are efficient means of daily backup. The frequency of backups to be performed, security of the backups and secure off-site storage must be addressed in the plan. Backups must be stored with the same level of security as the original data.
Several vendors provide online data backup services inclusive of storage in the “cloud”. This is among the cost-effective solutions for those who are having an internet connection. Software application installed on the customer is automatically backed up.