Computer Backups

Computer backups are vital to most small businesses.  Yet, they quite often suffer from procrastination.  I think of backups in the same way as speeding tickets.  I find I start creeping up on the accelerator until, after two or three years, I get a speeding ticket.  Afterwards, I watch my speed very carefully.  Only to let it creep again after a couple of years.

Can your business handle a complete loss of its computer files.  I recently had a client lose $12,000 or so in receivables.  Can you afford that?

Here are the seven most common backup mistakes:

1)  Negligence and procrastination - As backups are important, they are not urgent.  This means they often get placed at the end of the to do list.  Nobody notices when they don't get done until it's too late.

2)  Not testing the backups - How many times have you tested your backup?  Have you ever tried to restore a file just to see if it works?  Most don't.

3)  Not backing up the right data - You set up the routine and you have your backups.  During a recovery, you learn that a drive or folder was not included in the original routine.  A drive or folder with critical information.

4)  Offsite storage - Many clients do regular backups.  I know because I see the DVD or memory stick laying on their computers while I'm visiting.  If you had water damage, a fire, or even theft, do you think your backup is any more safe than the actual computer?  It is important that your backup is removed to another site.

5)  Bad backups - I don't know how many times I used to see "disks" not work when they were needed most.  Tapes, DVDs, memory sticks, and especially disks, have problems from time to time where the backup file cannot be recovered.

6) Humanoids - Most recoveries are needed because of accidental or intentional deletions.  Most of my recoveries are because of I got overzealous in cleaning up my hard drive.

7)  Safe backups - You've done the work to have a good backup.  Now it comes up missing or lost.  Are you comfortable knowing what's on the backup could be made public.  Be sure to encrypt your backup data.