Backup and Recovery

Backup and Recovery

1. Why are backups needed?

   • Loss of records mean loss of contact with customer and customers may lose confidence and go else where
   • Avoid permanent data loss
   • Loss of records mean customer orders wont be completed to customer/ client satisfaction

2. Threats to an ICT system

   • Natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes etc.
   • Hacking/ theft
   • Spillages
   • Viruses
   • Software/ Hardware failure
   • Power cuts
   • Software bugs
   • Deliberate/ accidental damge

3. Backup Strategy factors

   • Frequency of backup
     • How often data changes
   • Volume to backup
     • Time it takes to backup & how much needs to be backed up
   • Storage medium
     • How big does the storage device have to be
   • Where will it be stored
     • Fireproof, off-site
   • Personnel responsibility
     • Someone in charge of seeing backup is done
   • Logging backups
     • Keeping a log of backups and any problems that arise
   • Testing of backup data
     • Every so often

4. Incremental Backup

   • Full backup of hard disk made once a week
   • Not too time consuming but can be more complex to restore