This scenario happens too often: You think you’re backed up. You think your data is in a safe place and can be accessed following a disaster, but something goes wrong.
Backing up your IT involves ensuring that the data you rely on isn’t corrupt in the first place, that your backup systems aren’t so old they risk failing, and that your software is updated and ready to respond.
Business continuity and disaster recovery plans require constant updating because the landscape evolves at a rapid pace. You don’t want to be in a situation where you begin with a solid, fail-proof strategy that becomes outdated and ineffective.
Managing Hardware
Almost every piece of hardware you have is chosen based on how it will work with other disparate components. Each piece represents a link in a chain. When one piece fails, the entire system is at risk. From servers to networks, disk arrays to tape drives, and all the tiny minutiae that make up your internet of things – everything is tied together and must be considered in your strategy.
Backing up your IT should include redundancy measures where your infrastructure is concerned. In some situations, you’re not going to have direct control over various pieces of infrastructure. This situation calls for service level agreements so everyone knows what role they play when something goes awry.
Software Matters
If you’re curious about the most common source of backup failure and suspect it could be software related, you’re correct. In fact, it’s not unusual for backup issues to occur following upgrades. Another pain point is patching. Missing updates can also cause issues.
The main issue is usually related to software incompatibilities. You might also see failures due to corrupt catalogues. Establishing a point person to stay on top of all things related to software can bring more accountability to the table and prevent some of the more common software failures from occurring.
The Human Factor
As much as backing up your IT relies on various automated components, there is still the human accountability aspect to consider. Your IT staff is responsible for developing, deploying, and managing your disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.
Your IT staff is also in charge of choosing the infrastructure for backing up your IT, so it is incumbent upon them to make wise decisions.
At Cloud Source, we have provided guidance on a number of IT-related topics, including disaster recovery and business continuity. With so many options from which to choose, it can be easy to settle into a trial and error situation, which is not only costly, but it can also put you at risk of losing valuable data. When our clients partner with us, they get access to the exact solutions they need to succeed. Contact us and learn more about what Cloud Source can do for your organization.