Backup and Recovery
This is a much neglected topic. I have lost my hard drive, and it isn't fun. I regularly get clients calling who have lost their files. Most people who have been through this experience are attentive to backup
It is not enough to consider backup. You also have to think about recovery. In fact we should start there.
Recovery
- Recovering from a lost file(s) situation will take time. If you have lost the entire disk drive, and have backups, recovery should be possible. The question is how long can you tolerate being without your system (files)? If the answer is days, then use one of the simple options. As the answer moves to shorter and shorter time periods, hours, even minutes, the options become much more complex and expensive.
- How much data are you going to have to restore? If it is a lot, it will take longer, obviously.
- How up to date does your restore have to be. If you are willing to lose a week's worth of changes and additions to your files, that leaves a lot of room to explore options. If it needs to be current to within minutes or seconds, that puts you in another world altogether. Commonly, people can tolerate losing up to one day's work. That is, a restore to last nights files is acceptable.
- How critical is your data? Answer that question this way--identify different groupings of data that have more or less stringent recovery requirements. If you only use the computer to surf the net and trade inconsequential emails, maybe you don't really care if you lose all your files. But think of pictures, music, etc. that you might want to protect before making this choice. The criticality of different groups of data tends to be different and sometimes we want different protection plans.
Now be clear about these issues. Perhaps only certain data or systems need rapid recovery and/or very up-to-date files. Understand that your costs can go up dramatically if you ask for more than you need.
Backups
There are basically two approaches to backing up data on the system (C:) disk.
- Save only the data. If the disk has to be replaced, recovery will require installing the Operating System, all necessary applications including security, downloading and installing all updates, as well as restoring the data. This is time consuming and labor intensive. Also, it is inexpensive as to backup (not recovery). If you go this way, be sure your backup includes all database backup files from your applications, such as QuickBooks or Quicken.
- Save an "image" of the system disk to another disk. You need a large external disk drive and special software. Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image are the usual candidates. Now, worst case recovery involves copying the disk image to the new empty disk drive and you should be ready to run. Recovery time is probably governed more by how long it takes to buy a suitable replacement disk and physically install it.
I don't want to be without my system for hours and hours, so I follow the image save route for myself and my wife. I know a number of people who have been so burned they have multiple backup systems in place.
Security
Backup and Recovery is properly part of the larger Security plan. Two aspects, in particular need to be considered.
- Any and all backups potentially expose you to someone gaining access to your sensitive data by gaining access to the backup copy. Depending on your circumstances, this may be an important consideration.
- Your backup copy could be destroyed. For instance, your home or office could be destroyed by fire and you would lose your system and your backups. Well run businesses protect for this by having an "off-site backup". That is, backup files are kept somewhere else, usually a good distance away.
Media
Backups can be on hard disk, nonvolatile RAM ('jump' or 'thumb' drive), or magnetic tape. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
On-line Services
You will find some respected on-line backup services, and some you might not want to trust with your data. Carbonite seems to be a reasonable alternative. Such services provide ease of use, off-site backup that appears to be secure and reasonably current, all for a modest cost. But, in a recovery situation, you will have to transmit all your data from their server to your rebuilt computer, so the recovery time can be substantial.
Decisions
There is no one-size fits all answer to this problem. I have chosen to make image saves nightly to a large USB connected external hard disk. But I also copy all my important files to my notebook computer that stays in my office in Boston. I only do this about once a year, but it is better than not having any off-site backup. And it saves me the cost of a service.
Some of my clients just copy important files to a jump drive regularly and take it home.
A true consultant can explore your real needs with you and advise you as to what combination of software, hardware and services would be best for you. If the solution is involved you will probably need expert help to get it set up properly, anyway.
Call Corzine IT Consulting at 1-781-690-0992