8 Common Mistakes to Avoid with Data Backup Storage in Rockville
Data backups are necessary to help you get your files back after a data loss incident. However, some users still do not treat it seriously, failing to see the catastrophic consequences of compromised data. If you don't want to commit a fatal mistake related to your data backup storage in Rockville, make sure to avoid the following:
1. Failing to Backup All Data
When you haven't experienced an incident that led to data loss, you might be complacent about backing up your data. However, it doesn't mean that your data will be safe forever, given the rising cases of ransomware attacks. On top of that, data has become a critical asset to any organization that its loss can cripple the operation. If you fail to use the best backup data storage and solution, your business might fall and not recover at all.
If you backup your data but fail to include all critical data, it would be disastrous to discover that you missed valuable information. You might lose your customers' trust, ruin your reputation, or slow down your operations.
Among the most overlooked piece of information is email. It would be best to devote a portion of your data backup storage in Rockville to emails. If someone decides to delete emails from their inbox, you will still have backups to go back to if necessary.
2. Saving Backup in the Same Hardware
Don't do it if you consider storing your backups in the same data backup device as the primary copy. It might seem practical because you won't be spending on another piece of hardware, but it deems your backup useless. Storing both original and backup files in the same hardware and site exposes them to the same data loss risk.
It is crucial to store the backup data in a different device, away from the primary storage machine. Doing so will improve the security of your backups.
3. Failing to Audit Backups in Your Data Backup Storage in Rockville
One of the top misconceptions about data backups is that it only consists of installing and configuring a backup program. However, the organization's file structure, files, and applications will change over the years. When an incident occurs that require the use of your backups, you will be shocked to find that the program you set and left on its own is obsolete. Only then will you discover costly it is to miss backup testing.
Experts recommend testing files in your data backup storage in Rockville every three months. During the backup audit, you should ensure that your backup is up-to-date, complete, and comprehensive. However, there's no need to worry about these things if you have a reliable data backup service provider.
4. Not Working on a Good Retention Policy for Your Backup
It's not enough that you set up backup guidelines. It would help if you also had an appropriate data retention policy that defines how to archive your data and for how long. It ensures that your data is accessible when needed without wasting money on the cost of data backup storage in Rockville.
Talk to your data backup service provider about the right data retention policy for your needs. Don't forget to check the terms and conditions of your contract. It will ensure that their service matches your interests and industry regulations.
5. Using the Wrong Backup Methods
You can choose any backup device for your storage needs, such as hard drive, tape, or the cloud. Each of these options has a risk. You have to find a way to balance these risks by combining different backup methods.
Look for a data backup provider that does not rely solely on physical devices. Some have cloud backup data storage for offsite backup, combined with multiple backup devices.
Don't rely on a single data backup approach. Your data is your asset, and you can protect it if you follow the 3-2-1-1 rule. It involves keeping three data copies, storing them in two types of media, saving one onsite, and storing another one offsite.
6. Failing to Close Programs That Might Interfere with Backup
Some backup services can backup files even if some programs are open. However, others cannot copy the files in running programs, such as in-progress documents or spreadsheets. Keeping a database running will be an even bigger problem, which means the backup service might fail to copy it during backup. Before backing up files, make sure to close open programs first.
7. Not Labeling the Backups in the Data Backup Storage in Rockville
When you back up data, it helps to label everything correctly. Keep similar data in a single folder so you can quickly locate and restore them when needed. Cluttered data might not be an issue with a complete restoration, but you rarely need to do that. Data restoration usually only involves a few critical files.
It also improves data protection by limiting access to employees on specific folders. You can prevent information leaks without compromising your employees' efficiency as they sort through the backups.
8. Incorrectly Restoring Backup Data
Data should be restored to a different folder than the original files to prevent writing over other essential documents. From there, you can copy the backup to the original location and get on with your operation. It will save you from complete restoration when you only need the two-week-old file version.
Save yourself from the consequences of these mistakes involving your data backup storage in Rockville. Try working with Swift Systems. We can customize our backup and disaster recovery solutions to your needs. We offer offsite, onsite, and hybrid data protection.
If you want to have continuous data protection, 256-bit SSL data protection, scalable backup, flexible retention policy, contact Swift Systems. Talk to our technical experts for a free consultation today!