5 Points to Think About When Backing Up Data

5 Points to Think About When Backing Up Data

Backing up data is a chore many people probably don't want to think about. Unfortunately, many have lost their data in the past and have regretted not making backup copies while they had the chance. With more personal data being stored on personal computers, is is more important than every to think about a backup system that works for you.

Before developing a backup solution, it is important to think about a few major points. Not all backup solutions will work for you, so thinking about the 5 points listed below can help you determine which solution is just right for you. Let's look at the 5 points:

1. The amount of storage space. This point is very important because it can determine how and where you store your data. If you have hundreds of GB (gigabytes) of data, then CDss, or even DVD's may not work for you. While DVD's can hold from 4.7GB and up, it may take many DVD's to backup all your data. For most people, an external hard drive is a good choice at it can store hundereds of gigabytes, or even terabytes, of data. With USB flash drives becoming much larger, you may want to look into those to replace any DVD's you have used in the past. A third solution would be to backup to an online storage provider on a regular basis, provided you have enough storage space online.



2. Where will your data be stored? It is important to not store all your data in one location. A good backup plan should also include storing your data offsite - away from the original location of the data. This ensures that if something happens to one location, data in the other location will still be available. DVD's and USB flash drives are perfect for this since you can easily transport them to another location. Online backup is also a good solution as the data is automatically stored offsite when it is backed up.



3. Do you need to protect your data? If you plan to backup sensitive personal or business data it is important to ensure your data is protected with some form of security. Many filesystems and software can encrypt your files, which you can then copy. Online backup providers will automatically encrypt your data before it is sent to their servers. Not only is the data encrypted before it is sent, but the data is sent over an encrypted SSL connection and remains encrypted on provider's servers.



4. How easily can you restore the data? A good backup solution is only as good as its ability to restore the data. Always test the restore functionality of your backup solution before committing yourself. For example, when using an online provider, make sure you have tested the restore feature before locking into a plan with that provider. You should also verify the data on any DVD you burn your data onto to make sure the data is not corrupted.



5. What is the longevity of the storage devices? By simply doing a search online you can see the issues of the longevity of certain DVD's. This has been a debate brewing for many years, and it is important to keep in mind that all devices will eventually wear out. You will need to think about constantly updating the media you use to protect your data, and upgrade with the times. Will you backup DVD's still work in ten years time?

Regardless of the backup solution you choose, there is one additional point to make: it must work for you. If you find it difficult to backup your data, then the solution you chose isn't right for you. Look at what you are doing, and how it can be made better.