What You Can Do If Your Business Experiences Data Loss
Jul 26, 2018, 10:54 AM | Updated: Jan 23, 2020, 12:44 pm
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This article is sponsored by Les Olson Company, Your Office Technology Partner. Don’t let data loss compromise the business you worked so hard to build. Get the expert technical support your business needs with Managed I.T. Services from Les Olson Company.
I.T. Security
What would you do if you had a major data loss? What if it was your work computer? What if it was all the data on your entire network? These are very dramatic scenarios that, unfortunately, happen every day. On this episode of I.T. Security; John Huston, with the I.T. Services Department at Les Olson Company, talks with host Ethan Millard about how to avoid these kinds of disastrous data loss situations. With a good backup strategy in place, you can recover lost data when disaster strikes, and sometimes even prevent data loss from happening in the first place.
How Can Your Data Be Lost
There are many ways you can lose your data. Hackers can (and do) regularly infect computers with everything from viruses to ransomware. In the case of ransomware, your data can be held hostage and even be deleted if you choose not to pay their ransom…or react too slowly. Aside from hacking, you could lose data simply because your computer fails. Older computers in particular are prone to failure. The constant movement of disk drives can just wear the machine out over time, especially if it’s constantly running. On top of that, natural disasters that are completely out of your control can wipe away your data in an instant. Earthquakes, fires, floods, power surges – even spilling a drink on your laptop. It’s not really a matter of if you will experience a data loss, but when and how. So How can you prepare for any of these types of data loss?
The Business Cost of Data Loss
This is most definitely a situation where the old saying “better safe than sorry” applies. If you have a major data loss without means of backup, it is a very steep uphill battle to recover. With 43% of companies never recovering from any large-scale data loss and having to close their doors within a year, it is absolutely imperative to the survival of any business to have a data backup and recovery plan. In fact, the survival rate for companies without a disaster recovery plan is less than 10%. Those aren’t very good odds.
There are small-scale ways to prevent data loss and make sure your business continues even with a data loss. Using cloud-based storage is one easy and inexpensive to back up your data. If you want to look bigger, having access to a networked server system can offer automatic duplication and backup of data so your computer can be recovered with ease. Also, some backup systems can take time to restore your computers. Your plan should include alternatives where you can keep working as your data is restored because it could take days, weeks, even months to complete. Lastly, having both an off-site and local component for backups is best.
So what’s your plan?
The Personal Cost of Data Loss
Everything has gone digital. Think of everything you have stored on your computer right now. Photos, tax documents, important records. Today, losing the data on your computer is like losing your scrapbooks in a fire. All your personal memories can disappear without a trace. Best practice for your personal data is to use a 3-2-1 strategy. Have 3 copies of your files. Keep them in at least 2 separate places. At least 1 should be outside your home.
If Your Data Has Been Compromised
If you have a backup plan, you can start restoring right away. If you didn’t back anything up, there may still be ways you can retrieve your data with the help of professionals like those at Les Olson Company. Professionals can give you some options if your data is suddenly gone. It’s really only a matter of time before you could face problems with your data. Back up all your important information now, so later when it happens to you, it won’t be nearly the same nightmare.
