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What is a data backup?
A retrievable, exact copy of information. A data backup involves the saving of data in more than one location, so that if something should happen to your computer, you can have access to that same data from another source (i.e. an exact copy of that data is kept at an alternate location(s)).
Why do we need data backups?
A data backup should be used for any files or data that you cannot easily replace such as important personnel information, company financial statistics, family photographs or even email address lists and contact details.
How often do I carry out a backup?
Backups should be carried out at regular intervals (for example the same time each day for incremental backups, and same day each week for full backups). These should be carried out at convenient and suitable times for you or your business.
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What backup device / storage media should I use?
When considering your backup device /storage media, you need to consider the following:
- Cost
- Durability
- Reusability
- Capacity
- Availability
- Speed of accessibility
Devices / media are available as follows:
- Optical Discs
- Magnetic Tape
- USB Drive
- External Hard Drive
In addition to you backups stored at your location, you should also store another copy off-site at an alternate location in case of your site and/or local backup media becoming compromised in any way (through hardware failure, electrical faults, forces of nature and even from theft!).
What backup software should I use?
When choosing backup software primarily you consider cost versus functionality. The following are just a few of the most popular products used today:
- Genie Backup Manager
- Acronis True Image
- NTI Backup NOW! Deluxe Suite
- PowerBac
- Norton Ghost
- AISBackup
- TurboBac
- Handy Backup
- PC Backup
- WinBackup
This has been a very general explanation of backups and backup software to give a good idea of where to start with implementing backups for you and your business and answer a few general questions you might have.
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