Data Loss Could Destroy Your Company. These Best Practices Will Protect You.
With data playing an absolutely critical role in nearly every business function, the consequences of data loss can be catastrophic.
However, having a robust data recovery plan in place is essential to mitigate these risks.
These 15 best practices will show you the steps you should take before, during and after data loss occurs.
Prevention — the first and often most important line of defense
Prevention lies at the heart of an effective and robust data recovery protocol, and here are three things you absolutely must undertake:
1. Implement regular backups: When it comes to data protection, implementing a comprehensive backup strategy offers you a safety net that can be a lifesaver.
2. Always use reliable storage media: Low-quality storage media are often susceptible to errors, and they can put your entire backup at risk.
3. Maintain comprehensive documentation: Proper documentation allows any administrator on the ground to get things back up and running again.
When data loss occurs — critical first steps to follow
Once you have noticed an incident of data loss, it is important to follow the right procedures in the initial moments.
4. Simply stop using the affected device right away: Absolutely, stop using the impacted device right away, as any usage drastically decreases chances of data recovery due to the possibility of data overwrite.
5. Avoid installing recovery software on the impacted drive: Needless to say, if you try to install any software on the impacted drive, it will do more harm than good.
Recovery process for maximizing the chance of success
10. Create a copy of the impacted device: Create a copy of the compromised drive by installing a disk image tool on a different machine and mounting the impacted drive on it.
11. Stick to read-only methods: If you have no option other than attempting a recovery directly from an impacted drive, just stick to operating in read-only mode and output the recovered data on a separate drive.
12. Try out simple solutions first: Before resorting to professional solutions, start with the basics like checking recycle bins and temporary folders.
Additional best practices for data recovery
14. Store the recovered data in a different location: Absolutely do not take the chance of saving the recovered data on the once compromised device, even after a successful recovery operation, as errors might creep back in.
15. Validate the integrity of recovered data: Make sure you validate the integrity of the recovered data by opening and testing some of the files manually — documents, databases, etc.
Conclusion
By following the best practices in this article, you can protect your data from potential disasters in the future, which is vital for both your personal life and business operations, since data is the most important digital asset in today’s information age.
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