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BACKUP RULES

Don’t grieve over lost files – follow Nordine Kherif’s tips for a strong backup strategy and you and your data need never be parted.

BACKUP RULES BACKUP RULES FOR BUSINESSFOR BUSINESS1010

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BACKUP RULES

In its simplest form, data backup is the duplication of files or databases on to a retrievable medium away from the PC. Individual users will often back up data on to a floppy disk, for example. However, small and medium-sized businesses need a more secure and mobile way of backing up and restoring data from a server or network. Here are ten elements to achieving a cost-effective, reliable and scalable backup solution to ensure business continuity.

1Develop a strategy before disaster strikes The time to create a backup strategy is before disaster comes along, so you can minimise data loss – and business losses. Such a plan should be clear, specific and easy to follow.

2Balance your backup needs with your budgetSome backup costs are pretty obvious: hardware, software and storage, of course. But don’t overlook factors such as the cost in time it takes to back up data (which may have an effect on daily business operations) and have in mind the costs of having someone to oversee and maintain the backup procedure. Also keep track of the storage costs of archiving data, as well as any licensing fees for the software you’ll need.

3Take a look at the different optionsAlthough people tend to forget about it, backup technology is moving on all the time. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of different hardware and software options, such as backup to disk, backup to tape, or a combination. Evaluate software that is suited to your environment: for example, should you go for a complex varied network or a single backup server?

4Get specific when comparing softwareWhen examining different software solutions, compare factors that are important: backup speed, compression ratio, encryption possibilities, scalability, remote administration and multiple data flows. Avoid expensive software that’s too ‘heavy’ for your environment with features you’ll never use.

5Make it scalableAs a company and its network grow, backup needs naturally expand; so implement a solution that can be adapted to future growth.

Anticipate larger platform requirements, additional databases and/or operating systems that might be part of your infrastructure in two years. Data protection software should be flexible enough to grow to meet increasing demands. If you choose an enterprise backup solution, you must be able to scale it up.

6Examine your backup window from different anglesLook at different options open to you when scheduling backups. How much time do you have to create backups? What are the business’s minimum backup frequency requirements? Remember, the more often you back up data, the greater the chance you can recover an exact copy of what you need.

7 Establish a minimum time for a full restoreIf a data loss emergency comes along, how quickly must you restore data before it has a serious, negative impact on the operation? Put in place the software and storage capabilities necessary to meet this timeframe. Recent research by Hamish Macarthur, head of IT consultancy Macarthur Stroud, suggests that 80% of small and mid-sized firms that can’t retrieve their data within two weeks are bankrupt within two years.

8 Designate someone to be responsibleWho is going to control your backups? In all cases, even if your system is fully automated, someone must be responsible to verify and maintain the solution. A clear system of checkpoints should be put in place for this person to follow. Without this clear organisation, your backups can quickly become unusable.

9 Keep pace with pertinent legislationIt’s essential to keep up with national and, in the USA, state legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, which creates over 68 information security conditions to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of individual health information. Another good example is California’s SB1386, which requires all companies conducting business electronically in the state to report breaches of security that could compromise personal information. In the UK, www.businesslink.gov.uk has useful information on data protection and security obligations.

10 Test your backup planEven if you never have a data disaster, test your system to ensure you have good backups. Once or twice a year, simulate total loss of one or several servers and/or databases. See

how long it takes to recover. Rehearse! You should also test your storage media on a regular basis to ensure the backed-up data is readable and accessible. If everything works, you’re safe.

BACKUP RULES FOR BUSINESS10 ABOUT THE

AUTHORNordine Kherif is support services director of Arkeia, which sells backup software to businesses using Linux. Its Arkeia 5.2 network product (since upgraded to 5.3) was reviewed in LXF52 if you want a closer look. While you’re thumbing through past issues, a backup plugin for LDAP was reviewed in LXF60.

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