How Often Should You Backup Your Files?
Data is the single most valuable asset owned by many
companies, yet data loss still costs $12 billion each year in the U.S. alone,
enabling data recovery companies
to exist.
Consider where your business would be if all company data was wiped out by a
catastrophic event such as a hurricane, a fire, or a flood. Customer database
gone. Billing records gone. Financial records, contacts, vendors, accounts
payable, orders… all gone. Given the importance of data protection, it's
shocking to note that data loss is a major problem in the U.S. Every year, about
$12 billion worth is lost.
Natural disasters aren't the only threats that you should be aware of. System or hardware failure accounts for about 78% of data losses, plus software corruption, malware – viruses, worms and Trojans – and human error.
In addition to replacement time and irretrievable data, catastrophic data loss can destroy client confidence, leading them to take their business elsewhere. Retrieving the data requires an embarrassing explanation, and lost data could even lead to lawsuits.
The only way to protect a business against valuable data loss is by regular backups. Important files should be backed up at minimum once a week, preferably once every 24 hours. This can be performed manually or automatically. Many automatic software options are available that you can set to make a backup at a selected time of the day or week. Many of these offer a free trial version online so you can try several and read consumer reviews before deciding on the one that works best for you. There are also companies that specialize in this service. If the company's servers are located offsite in a secure server facility, there are usually automatic backup options offered as a part of the normal service.
If you choose to do it manually, backups can be time consuming. You'll need to decide what data is most important to back up. Most businesses will want to protect contact information, customer data, billing, bookkeeping, orders, website code, custom programming and passwords. Individuals may want to add documents, presentations, spreadsheets, appointments and e-mails. Some businesses will have specific needs, like blueprints, pdfs, company literature, or artwork. Info can be saved to a USB jump drive or external hard drive, or burned to a CD or DVD.
Once the data has been transferred to a portable solution, it must be treated with care. Imagine losing a memory stick containing the totality of your company information. In the wrong hands, that information could be even more disastrous than a computer crash, especially if the information includes customer billing info or employee records. Safeguard the information as surely as you would a sack of diamonds, because it is every bit as valuable or more. It should be password protected and then stored offsite, in a safety deposit box or locked inside a safe at home.
Home users should also consider making regular backups and storing their data elsewhere. Possessions can be replaced, but family photos, especially those of ancestors, are irreplaceable. Knowing that there is a backup of photos, finance and tax files, passwords, personal documents and even homework assignments can be very comforting in the case of a crash, a natural disaster, or a soft drink spill.
If you are a victim of data loss please consider Data Recovery Labs.
For more information about our data recovery and computer forensic service please call us toll free at 866-340-0111.
You may also click on the following link to request a free data recovery quote.