Computer Backup

Title : Computer Backup.
Audience : SME non technical at decision making level data backup guide only.
User I.T. Knowledge 2/10
Source : Http://www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm
Posted : March 07
Reviewed Sept 07
Updated n/a
Copyright : backupanytime original content.
Redistribution as is : No permission required (with credits)
Modification : With written permission from backupanytime.

Computer Backup is a very wide remit as a subject for clarification. If you are a computer professional please see join our free private white papers area. This document was prepared for non technical computer users and small business owner managers who want an understanding of the principles involved rather than to take over the responsibility of computer backup.

Your computer backup responsibilities: (Basic and not literal or location specific)
These vary from region to region. In most first world nations the following applies.
You are required to:
Retain a secure copy of all business critical data and to ensure its' availability.
You are required to revise same and manage the information life cycle of your organization with regard to data availability, retention, management, security, privacy and integrity.
Most Eurozone countries (including Ireland) require you to retain your backups within your region.

Your in house computer backup requirements:
The strictest backup responsibilities should be those you impose on yourself. Your backups should be:
Frequent : Nightly for critical data.
Without exception : Nightly means every night. Any system which may miss this should not be acceptable to you.
Self reporting : Computer backups should report to you automatically with easily understood status information.
Verifiable : You should be able to do an unassisted test at any time without reference to any outside party.
Uninterrupted : The backups should run when systems are not in use and should not be stopped by other software.
Revised : Your computer backups should be revised frequently with a view to adding new data areas and systems.
Automated : Any manual process risks backup exceptions and is therefore no longer acceptable.

Your computer backup options :
From the requirements section we must conclude that many so called computer backup options are not actually viable.
U.S.B. Pocket drives are absolutely not a viable backup option. On occasion and without warning they “flash” as in delete on entry and exit. Do not use pen drives for data backup. They are for portability only and will in time let you down in the form of total data loss.
CDs and DVDs need manual handling, loading, removal and storage and therefore are not compatible with automation.
External hard drives are not a viable backup option. They suffer from almost the same “flash” risk as pocket drives plus they are more fragile. Don't let the added weight give you a feeling of security. Removable hard drives are exceptionally fragile and even if never moved, they will fail one day as they are designed for a general range of spins and on/of sessions. The manufacturer will cover cost of drive (a pittance compared to data value) only during warranty period.
Tape is still considered a safe computer backup option by many. The main reason is simply the poor reliability of most modern high volume fast spinning hard drives. Tape is however an old technology and is best considered as a local store in addition to online computer backup.

Online computer backup.
Online backup is fast becoming the computer backup choice for most commercial organizations regardless of company size. It offers an affordable fast track to security, compliance functionality. In most cases (with all reputable suppliers) it also comes with person to person support. Nobody (including any online backup company under consideration) can tell you to stop your current backup system no matter how crude or antiquated it is without very careful consideration. What you can do however is add online backup to your system.

Conclusion.

The number of backup options may appear to be wide and varied but when examined closely it becomes obvious that most traditional computer backup options and almost all emerging data transport devices do not cut the mustard for even single computer backup. It may be difficult to refrain from doing what you are doing and multiple backup types (if introduced with the other in mind and file marking is accounted for) should not be an issue if managed correctly. Sooner or later however you are likely to decide or be advised that online backup is the safst option. The only remaining factor is will you get it on time. Call the backupanytime office with any queries you may have. All we ask is that you allow us to put things in place before you lose data.

If you found this computer backup information beneficial you can find more in the same range at www.backupanytime.com/whitepaper.htm or our website proper at www.backupanytime.com

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