Data Recovery and Backup – Are You Truly Protected?
Data security, due to federal liability laws, is serious
business. You are liable to protect your clients’ data
information from unauthorized access and usage. However,
many companies have even a far worse problem no set
procedure for data storage, backup, recovery and recovery
testing.
Many small companies from the small home based business to
ones with 50 plus systems either overlook the potential of
computer data loss or just ignore it.
When was the last time you tested your backup recovery
procedures? Do you even have a back up procedure. Where do
you keep your backup copies? What happens if your building
suffers damage and you need to start up at a temporary
location with all new equipment?
First, let’s define data protection in relation to back-ups.
Backing up does not mean using software to make another copy
on the same hard drive or a mirror drive or another computer
on the same network. True backup means data archival on an
external storage media (tape, DVD, external device that is
removed from the network) for future retrieval and business
continuance.
Here are the top 10 steps all companies, no matter what
size, should review, update and implement: Identify all
business critical data and systems within the company.
Perform a business disaster impact review to determine
revenue and costs associated with the lost of data.
Determine how long data and records need to be retained with
easy access. Establish a data recovery procedure in case of
system failure. Train your staff on data recovery. Test the
recovery of data process. Do a full recovery of all data
from the backup tape, DVD or other external storage media.
Automate your computer backup system. Rotate the backup data
media so you have at least 2 months of data backup in at
least 1 week intervals or shorter depending upon your
company size. Store the computer data in a secure off site
location. Review and update your plan semi-annually The
preparation of the procedure requires looking at all aspects
of your business. Many smaller companies fall into the trap
of I do not have the time or It will not happen to me.
However, it happens all the time to companies every day and
it costs them several hundreds of dollars to complete
business closures.
Just ask yourself a few questions: What would happen if you
lost all your account receivable documents? What about your
need to maintain client renewals, billing, previous work or
contracts? What is it worth? How much would it cost you in
income if you can not retrieve the information? $1000, $5000
or $50,000?
Can you afford to play Russian roulette with your business?
Feel free to call us or request help through our blog, our
website or call us for a quick response.
To get more information go to AbcTechSolutions.com
Advanced Business Computers, Inc.
Specialists in Technology related to computers, network,
copiers printers and fax equipment based in South Florida
since 1989.
All rights reserved @ Advanced Business Computers Inc 2009
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