Backup and Recovery

Backup and Recovery

1. Why are backups needed?

   • Most companies that lose data will be out of business for months, so backups will prevent this
   • To avoid permanent data loss
   • To ensure the integrity of stored data

2. Threats to ICT systems

   • Computer hardware failure
   • Theft/Hacking
   • Natural disasters
   • Viruses
   • Software bugs
   • Software failure
   • Power cuts

3. Factors of Backup Strategies

   • Frequency of the backup - how often is the system backed up with regards to how often does the data change
   • Volume to backup - How much data needs to be backed up?
   • Storage medium - How big does the device storing the data need to be?
   • Where will the backup data be stored?
   • Keep log of any backups that may take place
   • Testing of backup data - Test data every so often to check if it is being backed up correctly

4. How to keep backups safe

   • Need to be kept in a fireproof case
   • Be kept offsite
   • Keep daily backups for a week
   • Keep one backup each month for a year
   • Keep a log book of backups

5. Backup methods

   • Full backup
     • Very safe and simple to restore
     • Can be time consuming
     • Computers can't be used when the backup is being made
   • Incremental backup
     • Full backup of entire hard disk made once a week
     • Not too time consuming but can be more complex to restore