Preparing for Data Loss

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While during a disaster, it’s impossible to safeguard data, (you’re too busy safeguarding yourself!), your best option is to prepare ahead of time.

Backup your computer data

Whether this is your personal computer or your company computer, making regular backups is vital.  Some sobering stats that may compel you to take action NOW instead of waiting for when disaster strikes:

  • 93% of companies that lost their data center for 10 days or more during a disaster, filed for bankruptcy within one year of the disaster (National Archives & Records Administration in Washington)
  • Of companies that suffer catastrophic data loss: 43% never reopen and 51% close within two years (University of Texas)
  • 30% of all businesses that have a major fire go out of business within a year and 70% fail within five years (Boston Computing Network, Data Loss Statistics)
  • The average cost of downtime per hour is $25,000 to $50,000+ (Advertorial Infographic: Why Disaster Recovery in the Cloud Should Be in Your Plans, International Data Group, 2015)

What to backup

Quite simply, any files you wouldn’t be able to recover.  Operating systems and programs are a good example of what NOT to backup.  These programs can easily be downloaded from the internet and should you need to recover your hardware or purchase new hardware, these would have to be reinstalled anyway.  (More information: Which Files should You Back Up ON Your Windows PC)

Where to backup

There are lots of options on where to backup your data.  But it is important not to

  • backup your files to the same computer
  • leave the backed up files near the computer you’ve backed up.
  • Delete the original files (which means you no longer have a backup)
  • Only have one copy of the backup

So first, create a physical backup of your data and store that on an external drive (i.e. server, flash drive, external hard drive).  Making several copies can be important.  Next, store all backups in different locations in environment/fire-proof contains to prevent total loss.  If you do daily backups, rotate the drives you’re backing up to so one drive is always securely locked away, and at most, you’ve lost only a day’s worth of work instead of all your work.

Utilize cloud storage.  This sometimes is the best way to ensure your data is safe is to store your data off-site and protected.  Many cloud storage sites come with software that can automatically sync your files to the server.  Leaving those programs running in the background can mean you have files that can synchronize immediately so your new files are always up-to-date.

How often to backup

Different data may be required to be backed up and different times.  Things that get changed daily may need to be backed up every day or weekly why things that never change (like photos) you just want to make sure you have a backup be will never be synced again.

Final Note on Computer Data Loss

It’s not just natural disasters that cause data loss.  Number #1 cause is equipment failure.  50% of all hard drives fail after 5 years.  Do not rely on just one hard drive as your forever source.

Protecting Data that is Not on the Computer

Some businesses still have not moved to being fully-computerized or have lots of file cabinets full of folders with documents that cannot be replaced there is a solution for you as well.

SecurShred offers off-site record storage in secure facilities that are protected from fire, water, and theft.  In addition, SecurShred also can scan all of your current documents into readable electronic documents that are can be easily searchable and retrievable at all times.  We are NAID certified and all of your data is handled securely.

Ask us how we can safeguard your data today at 877-863-3003