When you back up your data, it means that the original copy of all or part of what’s stored somewhere else. You can have multiple versions which are copies done periodically so if one gets damaged in an accident there is another backup ready to go.
What is the purpose of backup and recovery in a database?
As data grows, so does the likelihood that something will go wrong. A backup is an automated procedure for ensuring you don’t lose any important information in case disaster strikes
- It can be compared to insurance against potential disasters like fire or theft which may permanently damage your business’ ability to function effectively; however, unlike traditional forms of coverage (e.g., property), this type requires less commitment on behalf of firms since it’s largely unforeseeable when exactly these events might occur.
- Once disasters do happen, however, the consequences can be devastating and the resulting damage widespread and/or irreversible. This type of insurance aims to protect against such instances by maintaining a data set that allows for quick restoration of any lost information or damaged systems.
- The entire process is automated on your end; all you need to do is feed it information (i.e., add new records) and let the technology take care of everything else (including restoring it should anything go wrong).
- Additionally, having a working backup in place reduces downtime risk which means you can recover more quickly from unexpected events. Most importantly, though, it will limit any financial impact to your firm since you won’t have to deal with costly repairs or replacement systems.
What are the best practices for backing up your data?
What can I do if my computer crashes or when disaster strikes in order to get back on track as quickly and efficiently as possible.
If you’ve been in business for over a decade, your work is likely stored on multiple systems throughout your office. For example, consider how the following information may be safely stored:
- 10 years worth of accounting entries
- Email from past 10 years
- Past 5 years of financial statements and tax returns
- Client files including contracts, letters and proposals spanning 2 years
- Records pertaining to a specific customer or vendor dating back 8 years
It’s certainly possible to recover this information manually by going through drawers and filing cabinets. However, it would take a very long time to locate all materials across multiple servers, storage media and other sources. In fact, getting everything together could easily become impossible without the help of an automated tool that can collect data from different sources and formats.
If you don’t have the time or skills to design your own solution, consider using products that are readily available on the market. One of these is Spin IO, a platform built to manage digital assets across multiple repositories without requiring programming knowledge. This software allows you to perform both manual and automatic data gathering, so you can quickly create an inventory of all relevant materials within one system. In the world of business, there are many things that can go wrong. In fact, every day we hear stories from small businesses who have been victims of a data breach and lost everything including names addresses etcetera.
