Data Management

The 1998 Data Protection Act was introduced to ensure that everyone responsible for handling data has a set of data protection principles that they legally must follow. This includes safeguarding data and ensuring that sufficient measures have been taken to prevent accidental loss or damage of personal data. This can be achieved through implementing an effective backup plan.

There are many ways in which data can be lost, below are some of the most common:

 

1) System Malfunctions

Hard drives fail each day for a number of reasons including external factors such as overheating, water damage and power surges. Internal factors include file and software corruption and human error such as accidental removal of vital files. Ensuring your data is backed up regularly will help prevent any data loss due to hardware failures.

 

2) Natural Disasters

Natural disasters such as fires and flooding can cause irreparable damage to data which is why it’s imperative to have backups stored offsite in a secure location. For example, if a building containing valuable data and backups becomes destroyed by a fire, both the original and backup data will be lost. The best practice is to regularly back up data and store it in a different, secure location.

 

3) Human Errors

As part of our everyday role, we create, edit and delete files, so it’s only natural that we sometimes delete or overwrite files by accident. We’ve all been there and the reality is that humans make mistakes. In the majority of cases, we are able to retrieve files without too much hassle, however, without an efficient backup plan in place this can be impossible. Having a reliable backup solution in place would allow you to access your data with ease.

 

4) Computer Viruses

Data is constantly at risk due to new viruses popping up on a daily basis that have the ability to corrupt and steal valuable data. The majority of viruses gain entry to systems and networks through email and phishing. It’s important to have a sufficient backup solution in place, in case of threat from viruses.

 

5) Theft

Do you often travel for work or carry your office laptop around, storing confidential data? Unfortunately, theft crimes are often opportunistic and leaving your belongings unattended can result in them being taken. Studies reveal that the up to 80% of the cost of such loss is a result of the data breach which is why it’s essential to have a backup plan in place to ensure that important data isn’t lost.

 

Preventative Action to Avoid Data Loss

If you’re thinking about your current backup plan and would like some guidance, our team are happy to help. Here at Datastor, we offer a range of backup solutions to help you manage and store your data effectively. Our secure warehouse facility is monitored by CCTV and is protected by biometric locks. Additionally, our confidential service includes out of hours contact and and with the touch of a button you can request deliveries and collections as and when you require access to your files.

For more information, visit our data storage services page or alternatively get in touch with our friendly team.