The Need For A Plan

The Need For A Plan

Computers are vital tools for running a business but they are only machines, which makes them prone to failures. When one of those failures happens, having a plan will help get you back up and running again.

Any recovery plan must contain these basic elements:

• System and/or data backups.

• Procedures for creating and maintaining the computer backups.

• Discipline to keep performing these procedures.

• Evaluation of the procedures in place to look for improvements.

What is a backup? Simply, a backup is a copy or snapshot of the contents of the hard drive of your computer. There are two types of backups: data and system. A data backup is where the files containing any saved information is copied somewhere. A system backup makes a copy of the entire system, data, programs and operating systems files. A combination of both types of backups is needed for the best protection. If a database file is lost or a word processing file is deleted accidentally, a data backup may be able to restore these files while not disturbing the rest of the systems. When there is an operating system failure, or a complete failure of a hard drive, a system backup is the most appropriate means to recover a system.

Any type of backup must not stay on the system. This means that the backup must be put onto some kind of storage media. These can be floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, Zip drives, external hard drives, network drives, or even tapes. The type of media that should be used will depend on:

The budget for hardware and software.

The time and effort it takes to perform the backup.

The size of the system being backed up.

The availability of software to drive and complete the process.

Once the backup has been created, something has to be done with it. The backup should not be stored with the computer system. Ideally, the backup media, once it has been created, should be taken to a completely different location. This can be as simple as sending the backups home with a trusted employee or putting the media into a lock box. The idea here is the backup should be safe, no matter what happens at the office.

The next item of the plan is being consistent with the implementation. Backups that are old and out-of-date are nearly useless. Many backup functions can be automated so that generating the backup can be scheduled, requiring little or no human intervention. However, if an automated solution is used, feedback must be there to ensure that these backups are still being created and that they are complete. It takes discipline to do the backups regularly, but is very necessary for the recovery plan to be effective.

Disasters and failures will happen. The key is the creation of a recovery plan to keep your business running when bad things happen.

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