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Backup and its importance

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What do we mean by backup?• A backup is simply an extra copy of the data from

a computer system.• If data becomes corrupted or is stolen, it can be

restored from the backup copy.• A backup and recovery strategy is needed to

plan how data is backed up and how it will be recovered.

• A recovery strategy may also include sourcing hardware and office space.

Backup and its importance

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“Of companies that had a major loss of computerised records, 43% never re-open, 51% close within two years and only 6% will

survive long-term.”

Jim Hoffer, "Backing Up Business - Industry Trend or Event",

Health Management Technology, Jan 2001

Backup in business

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Common reasons for data loss• Human error• Hardware or software malfunction• Criminal activity• Natural disasters

Threats to data

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Earthquake – Los Angeles 1994

Floods – Gloucestershire, UK 2007

Terrorism – City of London 1993

Natural disasters account for only 2% of loss.

Natural or man-made disasters

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• Magnetic tape• Hard disk• Optical disk• RAID• Remote backup service

These are the main types of backup media that you need to know about.

Click on the links for more information.

Click here to continue.

Backup media

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Removable flash drive

CDR or DVDR Disk

These media are suitable for backing up home computers or for small business use.

Click here to return to list of backup devices.

Backup media

Removable hard disk

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Hard Disk

These media have large capacities and can be stored away from the main computer.

A hard disk in another location can be used for backup.A laptop can be transferred and backed up to the user’s desktop computer hard disk.

Backup media

Click here to return to list of backup devices.

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RAID systems – instant backups in real time

Click here to return to list of backup devices.

Backup media

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DAT tape

Removable media with large capacity – mostly for business use, using specialist drives in servers. The tapes can be removed and stored away from the server, giving a backup in another location.

Click here to return to list of backup devices.

Backup media

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Remote backup services can be used for online backups.

Click here to return to list of backup devices.

Backup services

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• Data must be backed up in case it is corrupted, lost or stolen.

• Media used for backup needs to be selected according to the data being backed up.

• Data can also be backed up remotely, using online services.

Summary