What's your data worth? If you can answer "yes" to the 9 questions below, you've got it covered. If not, you might want to reevaluate your data backup needs.
1. Are data backups of your critical business data performed on a scheduled basis?
2. Do you receive confirmation that backups are completed as scheduled (e.g.; review data stored or e-mail is received from service)?
3. Do you have multiple versions (e.g.; daily, weekly, monthly) of your data backups available for recovery?
4. Do you store multiple data backup versions off-site (away from your business systems)?
5. Do you store your application software in a safe location (off-site)?
6. Have you tested your ability to restore files?
7. Have you tested your ability to restore your system (and data) back to a point in time? This is important if a data disaster occurs and is not discovered until some point in the future (e.g.; 4 – 5 days later).
8. Do you have a business continuity plan that provides detailed instructions on how to restore your business systems and data back after a data disaster occurs?
9. Do you have confidence that if you experience a data disaster tonight such as a hard drive crash, complete office theft or fire, employee error or sabotage, etc that you could be back in business with minimal interruption?
Marianne Tyler - DataPreserve
www.DataPreserve.com/colorado
