All About Back Up

Back up is the strategy that is the best solution to data loss. By that I mean, solid, reliable backup, not something that is done like an after thought.

What Backup Should I Use?

The type of backup depends on mainly:

• Data size
• Personal/company finances
• Portability issues

Data Size

If the data size that needs back up is big; video files for example, it pretty much eliminates floppy disks and possibly CD’s. DVD’s and portable hard disks are much better options in this case.

Big companies, who have huge database usually employ RAID severs to manage their backup.

However, if all you want to backup are office documents, it is more economical to back up on flash drives and CD’s.

There are also online backup options, but again, this depends on your data size and also the internet infrastructure in a country.

Personal / Company Finances

Also crucial in selecting backup media to use is whether you or your company can afford it. A small company, who’s main business is selling flowers, probably can’t afford a database in a data centre (unless of course you boss manages a huge corporation as a side business).

Portability Issues

If you need to transport your data here and there, you might want to consider having a portable backup too, especially if work from your laptop.

One important thing to note that hard disks are very vulnerable to hard knocks, so make sure that they are packed with much cushioning materials.

Solid state storage, such as USB flash drive, is hardier. These make a perfect complement to your main data storage.

How Do I Backup?

You need a proper method to backup. It needs to be properly done up so you can actually depend on your backup instead of praying and hoping it does.

Be Organised

Organise your backups into files and folders so that you know exactly what file and where it is.

Check Backup Integrity

Check and see if the data in your backups are not corrupted, saved properly and is the latest version. Run virus scans regularly.

Alternate Backup

A good backup strategy is having two backups and instead of straight forward saving, rotate your backup. Let’s say you have a CD based backup. You have a set backup on week one, another on week two and so on.

What this does is that in the scenario that your data this week has been corrupted, you can still rely on last week’s data. Although you may have work cut out for you, at the very least this cushions the data loss blow somewhat.

Keep Your Backup In A Different Secure Location

There is every bit of a chance that the location where you work in will suffer fire, submerged in water or get attacked by aliens and so on. To prevent this from crippling your daily business, you can save your backups in different locations.

For example, you can keep a backup of your work at home, so that at any given time, you can take another copy to work (also gives you an excuse to travel home too).