Why Backup is Important for Data Security

Loss of data - be it private or corporate is a serious problem that can have many consequences. Loss of an unsaved diploma thesis, accidental deletion of work reports or even loss of photos with sentimental value are situations that happen to users every day. Read on for the most common reasons for data loss, and prevention methods.

Some lost data can be recovered, but it requires help, time and IT resources. In some cases, lost information and files cannot be recovered, so preventing data loss is even more important. If you are aware of what leads to data loss, your business is not at risk.

1. Data Loss among Global Quarantine

The COVID epidemic is threatening the global economy while raising privacy and security concerns. The need for a disaster recovery plan is becoming increasingly critical to any business, as is the case with the rapid implementation of a work-from-home policy. There will be more compliance and data protection challenges.

Data loss can become more apparent when there is no one to monitor or configure your backups. Something like this could have a direct impact on your business functions. Especially if people are too sick or quarantined at home or experience network outages or other disruptions.

It's not often that companies face a pandemic and risk losing data. There are also other factors that cause data loss.

2. Power Cuts

You are writing a very important document that needs to be published the same evening, for example you forgot to save it and the power goes out! What's next? All your efforts were in vain. An even bigger problem during a power outage is that it affects the operating systems or hardware of the computers. Sudden shutdown of systems without proper procedures can cause a chain reaction resulting in data loss.

Sometimes, sudden changes in voltage can damage computer hardware, such as hard drives and other parts that are very sensitive to voltage fluctuations and strong magnetic fields. If the computer shuts down while writing to the hard drive, it may never restart. To avoid such problems, it is better to have regular, automatic system backups as they are often the only way to recover lost data after a power outage.

3. Viruses and Malware

Computers are vulnerable to many new viruses because they are connected to a worldwide network. Viruses are of different types and therefore their damage varies as well. Most virus damage is stored in data caused by running software or misuse of the Internet connection.

Attacks aimed at stealing and damaging business data are considered the most dangerous. Imagine the value of technical inventions, customer databases, and industry information that is relevant to a company's history of manufacturing or financial transactions. If any virus and malware attack seriously damage your computer, then easily install the operating system and programs if you have installation disks available. The same goes for your original data. Make regular backups of your data to share it even after a severe virus and malware attack.

4. Software Corruption

Sometimes, software corruption can be the result of uncontrolled factors. Therefore, it is important to implement procedures to properly disable the software after each use. Reduce the risk of business data loss from software corruption by instructing employees to consistently save documents while editing and follow safe shutdown procedures.

Perhaps you've experienced software crashes suddenly for no reason while creating an important document or editing an image. Such scenarios are called software corruption which is caused by the use of certain diagnostic tools or by taking up too much memory, etc. Data loss in such cases can be prevented by frequently saving documents during the editing process and using diagnostic tools.

5. Formatting the Hard Drive

Computer hard drives are the most fragile parts. They seem to break more often than any other device connected to the computer. The worst part is that when you have serious hard drive problems, even a professional service provider is unable to recover your valuable data.

Accidentally reformatting the hard drive can lead to immediate data loss. Reformatting can also occur during a system update. Accidentally reformatting the hard drive causes loss of files and documents, but they can be recovered just by running the data recovery software.

6. Theft

Electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones and other portable devices such as a pen drive or external hard drive are the main reward for burglars. While the news of your laptop or other gadgets being stolen is depressing, it's even more tragedy when you think about all the possible data that could be compromised.

Even if you keep your data online, it will be easier for criminals to gain access to your accounts when your laptop/computer falls into the wrong hands. Losing a computer is painful of course, but make it less painful by keeping your data safe and using an appropriate data backup strategy.

To Sum Up

Protect yourself from malware by installing the correct antivirus software. Regularly update your antivirus systems and run scans for viruses before they can do serious damage. In case of a malicious program that attacks your data, make sure you also regularly perform system backups. Often the only way to restore lost data from malware or viruses is through backed up data.

Back up your important data regularly to restore lost or deleted data to normal. Accidents are not under our control, but developing a sound strategy ahead of time will definitely help you avoid data loss.