Every company needs to backup their data regularly to keep running. By the time you need a back up, 90% of the time, it’s too late and the data is lost.What are the key points I need to know about Backup? 

1 Tapes aren’t trustworthy. Tapes can fail and many tape failures don’t getdiscovered until it’s too late.

2 Tape maintenance. A tape backup is only as good as the operator. The tapes need to be labeled correctly, stored in a fireproof safe and in an area that doesn’tflood.

3 Data locations change. In the day‐to‐day operation of your business, files can get moved around the PC and a recovered backup will look for their locations at the last point of saving. This is why it’s paramount to carry out a backup regularly.

4 It can fail. Backup operations occasionally fail, just because they’re saved doesn’t mean they will necessarily reappear when restored. Make sure multiple backups are carried out over a number of days so that the worst you’d lose would be a days worth of data.

5 Bad data. Any backup will also backup bad data too. It won’t differentiate. For example, if a database is corrupt then a backup of that database will also be corrupt.

6 Databases & exchanges need TLC. If you store data in multiple locations, the backup needs to save all of these locations or a restore of a database or of emails would fail or be incomplete.

7 Documentation is critical. You need to document where and how you backup and where it’s being backed up to. You should always have a proper backup strategy and have testing procedures in place.

8 Security. Security is very easily overlooked. Just because it’s on tape, doesn’t mean it’s secure. Backups must be stored safely to avoid hackers accessing the information and a second copy should be kept off site.

9 Online backups. Online backups are often used by companies and are very  effective but it’s important to use a tier 1 organisation to keep your data safe. Competition is fierce in the online backup world, which can result in some providers going bankrupt taking your data with them.

10 Regular reviews. IT departments can help prevent disaster by scheduling regular reviews to ensure that backups are effective.

 Better Support Advice...A backup strategy will vary from company to company. It will depend on cost, what’s right for the organisation and should be looked at as part of a disaster recovery plan. The important point is to back up regularly over multiple days to avoid data being lost or corrupt.

Better Support can advise you on the best way to backup for your company. The question must always be asked, how long can your business survive without your data?

 For further information or advice on backups, please contact Better Support on 0800 8620296