Backup and Recovery
A single backup is never enough. At TSpec we understand the importance of keeping your data safe, so we always recommend a multi-tier backup solution to ensure that you will always be able to rebuild your network in the event of a catastrophic failure or unforeseen disaster. Without your data, where would you be? Would your company be able to exist? Could you rebuild without it?
The number one cause of data loss in a business environment is human error.
Make sure you have a good backup, and then backup your backup!
Layer 1: On-site backup
Your on-site backup is the first place you’ll turn when you need to recover a file. Restoring data from a locally attached storage device takes minimal time in comparison to restoring from a cloud-based backup solution. Your on-site backup solution needs to be reliable and easily accessible. The file restoration process should be fairly simple. We help you choose a reliable backup software program that works well with the backup solution of your choice. Here are a few examples of on-site backup options to choose from:
- Network Attached Storage (NAS)
- Storage Area Networks (SAN)
- USB Storage devices
- Tape drives or Tape Libraries
- Dedicated backup server
While tape seems to be the backup of yesterday’s networks, when configured correctly and properly maintained tape backup continues to be a reliable on-site backup option. The biggest problem we have seen involving tape backup is a lack of understanding the process. Tapes must be rotated regularly and replaced after every 50 uses or they will begin to magnetize and corrupt the drive. Tape backup needs to be monitored and errors need to be addressed promptly.
Many of our small to medium business clients have switched from tape backup to NAS for their on-site backups. Network Attached Storage devices consist of multiple hard drives configured with a RAID setting for additional redundancy and further protects your business against data loss due to hardware failure. NAS backups greatly simplify the backup process, allowing network admins to concentrate on other IT needs.
Layer 2: Off-site backup
Your on-site backup will protect you from accidental data loss, intentional deletion, or hardware failure, but it may not be enough in the event of a disaster such as fire, flood, or an act of God. A disaster recovery plan should always include an off-site backup of your data such as:
- Cloud backup
- Tape
- Portable USB drives
Cloud backup is an excellent off-site backup option for disaster recovery. With cloud backup your data is encrypted before it leaves your network, keeping your data secure during the backup and storage process. You receive notifications by email alerting you of errors backing up files or folders. Choose one of our Managed Services plans and we will monitor the backups for you.
Backing up to a removable media device such as tape or portable USB drives can work both as an on-site and off-site backup solution. The media should be rotated on a regular basis, not less than once a week. The biggest challenge with this method of off-site backup is ensuring that the person responsible for rotating the media is reliable and understands the importance of the off-site backup.