When backing up files from one device to the other, you could end up making several errors which could lead to compromise of data or corruption. These are worrying especially in cases where you have to backup company files or personal documents which you can’t afford to be compromised.
If you worry about these issues that frequently occur during data backups, fear no longer as we’re here to tell you what exactly these issues comprise and how you can work around them.
- Not using different types of backups:
There are a number of ways to backup your data, from physical devices like Hard disks and USB or backing up through non physical means, such as on servers of your own or cloud based storage. Physical media are portable and can be accessed anywhere, online media need not be carried around to be accessed but are more vulnerable to data theft.
However, most companies choose to prioritize online backups instead of physical media as it allows their employees to work from anywhere.
- Not conducting regular backups:
It is important to backup your entire computer regularly. Most companies make this process automated and have machines perform regular backups. However, machines too are prone to occasionally fail, so always ensure that you or your tech team performs manual backups or check the backup as well.
Having timely backups will mean that in case of a data loss you will have less work to do as you will have more recent backups.
- Having a single storage location:
Most companies prefer to have two or more storage locations in order to keep their programs safe and secure. Having a single location might seem to be cheaper and easier, however, a single error in the data being stored or loss of data can end up with you having to start the entire project from scratch which is a far bigger threat to time and money than multiple storage locations.
Keeping a mixture of physical and online storage locations is considered to be the best option for keeping your data safe.
- Low Storage on your backup devices
Having backup devices with low storage space can seriously affect your ability to store data securely. Devices with reduced storage space might end up writing over old data or may not bother to save some of your data. This can be quite fatal especially if you only have a physical or cloud medium with a lower storage space than your requirement.
Having such a situation does not just mean you have to redo the remaining work, but lack of data could have you working on the very basics of the project all over again.
- Lack of automation:
Although automation can have it’s own drawbacks, machines are developing faster than ever and can perform some of the more tedious and time consuming tasks multitudes faster than a normal individual can.
This rigorous and unchanging work is where human beings tend to falter while machines thrive. This is why you will need to invest in automating your work, even simply free software, and thus, simplify your backing up process.
- Not testing the backup:
It is important to test the backup or at least run a few checks on it to see if it is intact. Code can get corrupted, lost or mixed up during transfer. The best way to ensure that you have a functioning backup is to test it and ensure that it works just as perfectly as the original.
Depending on the form of the backup, often compressed files, they may need to be rewritten and saved again.
Ensuring that you follow these simple procedures when you transfer your files can be of significant importance, in almost all cases, companies with regular data saving practices have effectively curbed the costs of production during major data losses, whether it be due to physical malfunctions or some other issue.
Thus, by ensuring you follow the given backup practices,using different media, having multiple devices, backing up regularly, having sufficient storage, conducting regular testing and knowing when to rely on the power of automation, you can be sure that you will find yourself safe from any and all data breaches.