You’ve heard me preach in the past about good backups.    A backup is no good unless you can restore your data and get “back up” and running.  I’ve had clients ask me about Disaster Recovery plans, but sometimes I’m not sure they really know what that means.  Do you know the difference between backups, disaster recovery, and business continuity? Which is right for you? Your level of paranoia about your network will determine which one(s) you need, and which you are willing to pay for. 

Backup: This is the simplest and least expensive of the options.  A backup is like a spare tire.   It is an extra copy of your data.   In case you delete a file by mistake, or some data becomes corrupted, or someone modifies a file but needs to get the original one back, you can retrieve an older copy quickly and easily.  There doesn’t have to be any interruption to the rest of your network, and other users should not be inconvenienced. 

A backup may be created on tape, on a USB drive, or offsite over the Internet into the cloud.  Tape backups are NOT for Disaster Recovery or Business Continuity, since you can’t run applications from a tape.  We have been actively moving clients to USB drives or network attached drives for backup, and in some cases backing up into the cloud. 
 
Disaster Recovery: Your server or main computer just crashed.   It’s no longer functional, and you can no longer get to your data.  Disaster Recovery means getting you back up and running once the failed components are replaced.  The quicker this takes place, the better.  If you are using tape backup, it means reinstalling Windows and the backup software before a restore can take place.  And if your backup system is configured to backup just data, then you need to find all your applications and reinstall them too.  This process will take anywhere from 1-2 days, if you have access to all your application media. 

If your backup process includes taking an image of your server, recovery time can be measured in hours, not days.  This is the process we are now recommending and implementing for our clients:  Local backups that include an image of their main computers, and also ALWAYS getting a backup offsite. 

Business Continuity: Business Continuity gets your business back up and running after a major disaster, such as a fire, tornado or earthquake.  It involves not only your computers and data, but your actual workplace as well.  This is obviously a much bigger deal than just restoring data or replacing a server.  It means having access to a facility with computers and servers available to you. 

If all your data and applications are in the cloud, you probably don’t need this.  All you have to do is go home, or to any location with internet access, and you can get to your data. 

This does not even touch on the procedures that need to be developed to communicate to your staff about what to do and when.  This is not an easy undertaking, nor is it inexpensive. 

What is the cost to your business if your computer system is down? How long can you afford to be down? Answer these questions, and it will lead you towards the backup plan that is right for you. 


Till next blog,

Andrew Nevens
InnerTag
407-949-0106
andrew@innertag.com
www.innertag.com