The facts about catastrophic data loss are alarming and really should prompt you to review the backup arrangements you have in place to protect your business.

Did you know that out of all mid-size companies that suffer catastrophic data loss:

    • Only 6% ever recover
    • 43% never reopen
    • 51% close within two years of the disaster*

* cmitsolutions.com

It’s also worth remembering that business failure can have personal impacts that are equally devastating – for you and your family as well as your employees and theirs.

Like most businesses, you probably use computers to store essential company data that is accessed and updated daily. This may include client and supplier details; records for invoicing, cashflow, accounting and tax purposes; employee information; policies and procedures; intellectual property; and more.

And like most businesses, you may not have paused to consider the sheer value of this data, or the risks of catastrophic data loss or destruction. These can have dire consequences for any business – include cybercrime, natural disasters (flooding, fire, cyclones) hardware or software failure and human error.

You can drastically reduce the risk of catastrophic data loss by taking several relatively straightforward steps to protect your business data. CNAE consultants advise our clients personally on appropriate backup solutions that particularly suit their individual requirements. No two businesses are alike, and we’ve found that off-the-shelf solutions can disappoint. These four FAQs on backing up will help you confirm that you’re on the right track.

1. Do I backup my data or my entire system?

Backing up the entire system lets you restore your system and data quickly, saving costly setup time if you’ve only chosen to back up the data. Talk to CNAE about tools and software that allow you to backup your full system this with ease, regardless of whether it’s an application server or application desktop.

2. What do I backup?

This depends on the amount and importance of your data. An extremely popular solution is the ioSafe range of disaster-proof backup storage devices. These network-attached devices are fireproof and waterproof and can be bolted to the floor. So even if water is used to extinguish a fire, your data will be completely safe and retrievable.

3. Should I backup to the cloud?

Firstly, you need to look at the amount and type of data that needs to be backed up. If you’re talking about a large amount of data then the cloud really isn’t a viable option: the cost is too high and the speed is too slow. The cloud may be a good option, however, for clients who have smaller amounts of data. Using a local data centre is important if you want to be able to get your data on an external drive instead of trying to pull it down across an internet link. The cloud should really be looked at as a second or third tier option to your main backup solution. Call us to discuss your needs.

4. What’s the best way to test my backup solution?

I can’t stress enough the importance of comprehensive physical testing of your backup solution. At CNAE, we thoroughly test our clients’ backup solutions. While it’s one thing to see reports on a backup status, the greatest peace of mind comes from actually witnessing a successful restore. We have invested in disaster recovery servers that enable us to run tests on our equipment without interrupting your day-to-day operations. As a result, you can rest assured that we have the equipment to get you out of trouble, should there be a major infrastructure disaster.

For more information about how you can protect your business from catastrophic data loss, contact John: jd@cnae.com.au | 0438 113 358 | (07) 5436 9777.