Langmeier Backup

Many people only realize how important the stored data is when the first system crash occurs and a large part of the information is lost. Unfortunately, almost as many only realize at this moment that the data backup was not carried out correctly. However, if you concentrate on the most important sources of error in data backups, you can successfully prevent an expensive loss. Urs Langmeier, founder and CEO of Langmeier Software, explains what companies should avoid when backing up their data.

1. backing up data too infrequently

The intervals between backups should be adapted to the data flow. A fixed rhythm is good, but it is just as important to respond to special events. If, for example, special findings have been made, this is a time when the data backup should be updated. If, on the other hand, there is no work for a few days, it is not necessary to back up the unchanged data again.

2. confuse a RAID system with a data backup

RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks. Such a system regularly stores redundant data, but does not react to the risk of failure of the hard disks working in a network or to human error. This redundancy cannot compensate for a real system crash or even physical destruction of the computer. An additional data backup is therefore necessary.

3. always keep the copy nearby

A backup copy is only safe if it is stored in a different building to the originals. For companies, it may also be sufficient if the corresponding data storage devices are housed in a different fire protection area than the servers of the internal network.

4. overwriting data too quickly

Many small companies work according to the well-known grandfather-father-son principle. In this case, daily, weekly and monthly data backups complement each other. The danger: the daily incremental backup copies are overwritten too quickly. The data storage containing Monday's copy will be overwritten on Thursday with the next daily backup. It makes more sense to keep all daily data backups until the weekly backup has been completed. In this way, a complete system restore can still be carried out at the end of the week.

5. no concept for system recovery

Restoring the system is often the real problem that companies stumble across. A well-thought-out backup concept always includes a complete plan for restoring the data. This should not take longer than a few minutes in the event of a pure software problem.

6 Inflexible backup software

Small or young companies are usually looking for a backup solution that matches their current data volume. As the company grows, data backup often reaches its limits. Resourceful administrators can still create extensions that allow the system to run even with the higher data throughput. However, this frugality pays off at the latest when it becomes necessary to restore the data. A customized system can usually only be restored with great effort. It is better to use software from the outset that already provides for the extension of tasks.

7. unclear responsibilities

When it comes to backing up sensitive data, extreme caution is required. The data must be secured in such a way that it is neither lost nor falls into the hands of unauthorized persons. However, it is precisely these safeguards that can sometimes result in important information being lost. It should therefore always be clear who is responsible for a particular data area, who knows the passwords and who can start the recovery process. At least two people should always be selected for this purpose. If one of the persons leaves the company, it must be ensured that the responsibilities are transferred to the successor.

8. be deterred by the cost of security

Many companies save money - not least on a well-functioning IT infrastructure. Hardware should cost as little as possible and software should ideally only be installed once. However, in order to realize the value of a backup, those responsible need only ask themselves: How much does the possible loss of data cost us - and how much data can we easily cope with? As a rule, the answers to these questions show that we should not cut corners when it comes to IT security.

Look it up further: Backup, Data backup, Langmeier Backup, Backup concept, RAID, Restore data, Restore

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