Data loss can occur in multiple ways, from human error to virus attacks. Data loss statistics suggest that some of the most common ways in which data is lost include hardware or system malfunction, accidental deletion, malware virus infections and cyber-attacks.

The underlying message here is that data loss can happen for many reasons, and a reliable backup strategy must take a multi-faceted approach to be effective. This is especially important when data includes customer and financial information, which can be hugely damaging to business continuity, reputation and income. Data backup is the best strategy you have, to recover from accidental or malicious data loss.

Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan

Successful businesses have a backup and disaster recovery plan laid out in case of a cyber-attack or natural disaster. Additionally, there should be a guide in place to help staff through a data loss situation. The backup plan needs to consider three main strategies:

Data retention

It must be clear where data is stored, and which files are being backed up. To recover from a disastrous loss, a full copy of your infrastructure is a necessity, not just your files. The company must also consider how often it has to backup data, as some files might change more often and needs more regular backups.

Recovery ability

Recovery time must be considered. How long can your business afford to be without your IT systems? This will influence what tech and support you’ll need to get up and running within your required timeframe. Additionally, hardware may need replacing and purchasing once operations need to be re-established at your point of business.

Security

Ensure that the data recovery process is secure. You must have solid connectivity that is well protected while you’re transferring large amounts of sensitive information.

Performing organisational backups can be boring and repetitive. Nevertheless, it is of great importance to ensure the organisation’s data and systems are in a peak condition at all times. Employees in the IT department often do not care about or are not aware that the servers must be backed up. The task is tedious and often comes with little reward.

Testing your backup

Other than performing the regular backup process, companies must continuously test if the solutions are working properly. Failure to restore organisational data, systems, and processes can cause serious damage to your company. Lost data and organisational downtime can and will result in regulatory investigations, lost business and even damage the brand reputation.

Frequent testing of your entire backup and recovery process enables you to gather early warning signs that highlight the areas which not are inadequately prepared to deal with a disaster or loss of data.

However, the issue with regular testing and running backup sequences is time. Performing administrative tasks can become very time consuming, and over the course of the year, it accumulates into a substantial amount of IT resource that was not allocated to the delivery of business-critical projects.

Backup Systems Managed Services

Backup Systems offer a fully managed backup and disaster recovery solution for businesses of all sizes. With this service, we not only take care of the day-to-day running of your backups as we perform these at a frequency of your choosing.

Additionally, we perform the management and testing of your backup and disaster recovery process. Being a centrally managed system, we are also able to carry out regular maintenance and upgrade work. We continuously monitor your backups identifying problems or security issues and maintaining the integrity of your data.

Learn more about our services and how we can help your company in our eBook below.