The technology overlap between backup, redundancy and archiving can often lead to confusion, but each has a different role to play in streamlining and safeguarding data. Backups essentially create a second copy of data at specific points in time, ideally keeping multiple historic copies. Redundancy establishes a straight copy of an entire system, ready to take over if the original system fails. Backup offers a certain level of redundancy, and redundancy a basic level of backup, but neither are stand-alone solutions.
Archiving makes a primary copy of selected data with the aim of retaining data in the long-term. Not all of the data contained in a backup will ultimately end up in an archive so archiving is rarely an adequate backup solution in itself but as a complementary approach, it can considerably optimize the data storage process.
Most backup strategies rely on a combination of backup, redundancy and archiving. An important factor to bear in mind when planning a backup schedule is prioritization of data. Not all data is created equal and a tiered backup strategy that restores the most critical applications first will get you back in business faster and cut data storage costs.
Backup Types
Full
Differential / Incremental
Synthetic
Continuous Data Protection
Mirroring
A virus can strike your network when you least expect it. The data that it destroys or corrupts can wreak havoc on your organization and can have a major financial impact on your bottom line. Your best defense is to keep your antivirus software, Operating System and Java software updated regularly. Microsoft releases updates and patches on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Antivirus and other software should be checked weekly for updates. The likelihood of a virus strike can be diminished if the individuals in your organization are trained not to download files from unsecured websites, or open unknown attachments to emails. Finally, it is important to regularly evaluate the integrity of your firewall and the policies.