Backup backup backup.....

On a monthly basis we deal with computers that have had a hard drive fail. Sometimes we get lucky and are able to retrieve some or even all of the data. Other times we have the displeasure of explaining to a customer that the drive is dead and we can't recover it. There are companies that specialize in low level data recovery but it can be a very very costly process and results might not be guarantied.

This could all be avoided by using some form of backup.

There are several methodologies to backing up.  I follow a 3-2-1 strategy It's a very simple idea and breaks down like this:

3. No file exists till it exists in triplicate, the original and two backup copies.
  - Protects against having a bad backup file.

2. The two backup copies need to be on different media for example two different external hard drives.
  - Protects against failing backup media.

1. One of the backup copies need to be off site at a different location.
  - Protects against fire, theft, act of god.

This may make it sound like I am being a little over cautious but I can't chance losing the pictures of our newborn.  I don't think I would ever live it down so why take the chance.

The only other key to backups is that they must be automated.  I don't want to have to rely on myself to do a backup every night.  I want it to just happen.  People are the weakest link when it comes to backup, we either forget and put it off till it's too late.

We sell one year licenses for product called Carbonite.  For around $5.00 a month (probably less than you spend at Tim Horton's every couple of days) you can rest assured that you backup is happening offsite and automatically.  Carbonite installs an agent on your computer that monitors for changes and automatically sends new and modified files to a datacentre that is located on the internet.  They encrypt your data to ensure your privacy.  Contact us to find out more information or to sign up.