Protecting Your Data
Newsletter Archive
California Business Resource
Copyright © 2009 by CaliforniaBusinessResource.com · All Rights reserved · E-Mail: kathekline@ofdenterprises.com
For some time now businesses have been creating backups of files that were created and used for business operations.
In the past we all did this by making paper copies of our documents and storing them in filing cabinets. Nowadays, of course, computers have become the key tool used in businesses and homes across the world.
This has made it much easier for businesses to store their backup information. It's much easier to make a computer copy of a file than it is to make copies of everything manually. However, to make it a little more difficult, now, in addition to keeping copies of the file, we also need to make copies of the programs that created the files in the first place. This is because companies now use whatever computer programs that have been created for their specific operations. For example, a real estate company might have a program for the information on all of the sales that they are working on, where a financial services firm has a program that helps them track the daily valuation of the stocks and mutual funds they offer.
It's great to have a backup stored on your computer or on an additional hard drive in your office, but what if there is a disaster that destroys your office? Your backup is obviously worthless then. What if someone breaks into your office and steals your computer? The backup you made on your hard drive is now worthless.
All Software programs are prone to computer virus that may enter into the company's mainframe, even though the company may have implemented anti-virus protections. Sometimes the virus is so bad that the only way to repair the mainframe is to reformat the entire mainframe. This is disastrous for the company because they lose everything. Even worse, they may lose entire software programs that they need to run their company.
If you run a business, you need to back up your files, period. The internet is much too dangerous to just hope that you won't get a virus. It's not just viruses though that you need to worry about. A careless employee can also cause a system failure.
If you allow your employees to access the internet, you are prone to getting a virus. These days, you have to allow your employees access to the internet. For many of us, it's a primary way of obtaining customers.
Unfortunately, it is also a haven for computer virus and spy ware programs which are able to cause your business to lose everything.
Methods to Offsite Backup Software Programs
In the past we created offsite backups by creating a CD and taking it home with us. Then we went to DVDs or thumb drives. This is a good way of getting the data off site, but there are other ways as well.
The reason that this might not be the best way is that it is not automated, and it takes the person doing it to remember to create the data, and then remember to take it offsite. In addition, the CD or thumb drive could be bad, or could corrode over time.
Today, one of the preferred methods is to use an online storage facility that will automate your backup systems for your data as well as your software programs. You and/or your employees do not have to remember to do it because it is automatic. These offsite facilities are surprisingly inexpensive. For a few dollars a month, you can alleviate the headache of remembering to do the backup, remembering to take the backup offsite, and remembering where you put the darned thing!
In the past we all did this by making paper copies of our documents and storing them in filing cabinets. Nowadays, of course, computers have become the key tool used in businesses and homes across the world.
This has made it much easier for businesses to store their backup information. It's much easier to make a computer copy of a file than it is to make copies of everything manually. However, to make it a little more difficult, now, in addition to keeping copies of the file, we also need to make copies of the programs that created the files in the first place. This is because companies now use whatever computer programs that have been created for their specific operations. For example, a real estate company might have a program for the information on all of the sales that they are working on, where a financial services firm has a program that helps them track the daily valuation of the stocks and mutual funds they offer.
It's great to have a backup stored on your computer or on an additional hard drive in your office, but what if there is a disaster that destroys your office? Your backup is obviously worthless then. What if someone breaks into your office and steals your computer? The backup you made on your hard drive is now worthless.
All Software programs are prone to computer virus that may enter into the company's mainframe, even though the company may have implemented anti-virus protections. Sometimes the virus is so bad that the only way to repair the mainframe is to reformat the entire mainframe. This is disastrous for the company because they lose everything. Even worse, they may lose entire software programs that they need to run their company.
If you run a business, you need to back up your files, period. The internet is much too dangerous to just hope that you won't get a virus. It's not just viruses though that you need to worry about. A careless employee can also cause a system failure.
If you allow your employees to access the internet, you are prone to getting a virus. These days, you have to allow your employees access to the internet. For many of us, it's a primary way of obtaining customers.
Unfortunately, it is also a haven for computer virus and spy ware programs which are able to cause your business to lose everything.
Methods to Offsite Backup Software Programs
In the past we created offsite backups by creating a CD and taking it home with us. Then we went to DVDs or thumb drives. This is a good way of getting the data off site, but there are other ways as well.
The reason that this might not be the best way is that it is not automated, and it takes the person doing it to remember to create the data, and then remember to take it offsite. In addition, the CD or thumb drive could be bad, or could corrode over time.
Today, one of the preferred methods is to use an online storage facility that will automate your backup systems for your data as well as your software programs. You and/or your employees do not have to remember to do it because it is automatic. These offsite facilities are surprisingly inexpensive. For a few dollars a month, you can alleviate the headache of remembering to do the backup, remembering to take the backup offsite, and remembering where you put the darned thing!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
General Business Information