 Backing
up your information is protecting your business.
All businesses should have a disaster recovery plan,
to respond to events such as fires, computer system
crashes, natural disasters, criminal acts, and so on.
A fundamental component of a disaster recovery plan
is the ability to quickly recover data critical to the
operation of the business. Computers can be replaced
under an insurance policy, but not the data, unless
it is backed up properly.
There are some simple rules that should
be followed for professional backups:
SME's should:
- Have clear, documented backup and recovery procedures
in place
- Identify all types of critical data for capture
and where that data resides
- Appoint a responsible person to own the backup/recovery
process
- Automate as much of the process as possible to
minimise human intervention
- Backup all your critical data - including laptop
PCs - preferably daily
- Backup to a high quality, stable storage medium
- Store the backups off-site in a secure, controlled
environment
- Ensure the backups are transported off-site safely
and securely
- Encrypt confidential information if there is
any risk of unauthorised access
- Regularly test that backups can be recovered
when needed
Standard backup methods can be defined
as backups with Tape Drives, Zip Drives, Floppy Discs
and CDs and are the most widely used by SMEs. These
methods require proper and rigorous procedures in place
to avoid problems. There are also on-line back-up systems
available, but irrespective of the method, there must
be a strong commitment by the organization to ensure
that back-up is carried out systematically, regularly
(usually daily) and in a managed and monitored fashion.
IT 4 Home and Business can make sure
your Business has the correct backup strategy in place.
For more information on service agreements
and costs, view our Business Service Pricing details.
For more advice on this subject
call 01386 792972 or e-mail info@it4homeandbusiness.co.uk
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