Backup And Recovery

Backup And Recovery

1. Why are backups important?

   • Backups are important because most companies that lose their data are out of business within months To avoid permanent data loss To ensure the integrity of stored data e.g. backup sufficiently up to date .

2. Threats to an ICT system

   • There are a large number of threats to ICT systems and these include: Computer hardware failure Deliberate / accidental damage Theft / hacking / fire viruses Software bugs Power cuts Software Failure

3. Hardware involved with backing up a system

   • Hard Drive - Up to 8TB
   • Memory Stick - 4-256 Gb and +
   • Zip Disk - 500 GB +

4. Keeping Backups safe and how long you will or should keep backups

   • Backup copies need to be kept in a fireproof safe which should preferably be off site.
   • Keep daily backups for week; Keep Friday’s backup for month; Keep one backup each month for a year; To prevent mix-ups, give each tape or disk a serial number & keep a log book.

5. A Full Backup

   • Service agreement to have engineers available within specified time; ‘mirrored disks’ on file server – simultaneous update to both disks; 4 tapes for Mon to Thurs stored in fireproof safe in office; Process starts at same time every night; Backup log checked every morning; 3 Friday tapes - Friday tape taken off-site, ‘next’ Friday the oldest Friday tape is used HW maintenance performed by Service Agency Occasional tape-restore test
   • Very safe, & simple to restore; But, time-consuming & computers can’t be used while making back-up
   • Incremental Backup
     • Updates once a week to unsure it has the entire file

6. Remote Backup

   • Back up SW tat switches itself on automatically for example at 12 am when all users have logged off the network.
   • Makes use of computer facilities when other idle and can proceed unsupervised.