4 Data Protection Mistakes to Avoid

A data protection strategy gives your business the ability to recover from an unexpected data loss event. But any strategy even a data breach prevention plan is susceptible to human error. According to a 2013 study by Symantec and the Ponemon Institute, mistakes made by people and systems are the main causes of data breaches. Here we’ve highlighted four mistakes to avoid when protecting your data.

Mistake #1: Failing to Back Up Regularly

Even if you backup your data once a week, there may still be gaps in your data protection plan. Regular backups provide continuous protection from unforeseen disasters. Many small businesses store a combination of daily, weekly and monthly backups to make sure their application and system files are always protected. A data protection service provider can help you find the right back-up schedule for your business.

Mistake #2: Using a Single Media Device for All Backups

Using only one tape for your backups could put your business at risk. If that tape is damaged, it may result in a complete loss of all the information stored on it. A strong data protection strategy uses a separate tape or other type of media for each day’s backup, and storing at least a week’s worth data.

Mistake #3: Keeping Your Backups On-Site

A strong backup and rotation plan should always incorporate an off-site storage strategy. To avoid unexpected, catastrophic data loss, disaster recovery experts recommend storing backup media in a secure location away from your primary business location. The following storage locations should be avoided:

• Safe deposit box
• Self storage unit
• Employee residence

Each of these options has security, accessibility and physical damage risks for your backup media. With a safe deposit box, if your server crashes outside banking hours, you’ll be waiting till your bank is open to restore your data. Self storage and employee residences do not offer the right climate controls or security to protect and preserve your media.

When a tape rotation service is used, your backup media is transferred regularly to a computer media storage facility designed specifically for safeguarding backup data and equipped with the following:

• Video surveillance
• Climate control
• Motion detectors
• Barcode media management technology
• 24/7/365 media retrieval and delivery services

Mistake #4: Failing to Verify Data Recovery

Never assume that the data you’ve backed up is error-free and can be recovered easily. Improper handling and storage, as well as data corruption, can affect the integrity and availability of your data. Before a disaster occurs, and at least once every six months, do a test data restoration to make sure your data can be recovered easily and quickly. A data backup solution provider will maintain an accurate inventory of your backup media and will support and help you verify your data recovery capabilities.

Every mistake offers a learning opportunity. Use the data protection mistakes we’ve highlighted above to improve how you protect your business information.

Records Management Center offers data protection services for businesses throughout Augusta, Evans, Thomson, and Martinez, GA, and Aiken, SC and the Central Savannah River Area. For more information, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.