Business professionals who have suffered the pain of losing valuable computer data all agree. Data backup is an essential business process.
Seven out of 10 Australian organisations have had laptops stolen during the past 12 months according to AusCERT’s 2006 Australian Computer Crime & Security Survey.
It gets worse. Compare this to the statistics on data security processes and 90% of those businesses with laptops stolen also lost the data stored on the laptop because they did not effectively backup their data.
Is this enough motivation for laptop users to ensure their data is protected?
Australian offsite backup provider, Spheritec, reports that while businesses are coming to terms with backup as a core business requirement, there is still some way to go in convincing computer users that data loss can happen to them.
‘Entire businesses now exist in electronic format. Financial files, customer databases and email records can be lost in an instant. If there is not a sound, offsite backup solution in place, in many cases a business cannot recover,’ Spheritec CEO David Glavonjic says.
‘As human beings we live by the motto ‘it won’t happen to me’ but when we are talking about business continuity, sensitive data and mission-critical files, it just makes sense to take the simple steps to guarantee your business productivity and recovery,’ Mr Glavonjic says.
Risk to corporate data is greatly increased on the road. Busy executives moving between meetings can quite easily leave a laptop unattended on a train, taxi, airport or in a hotel lobby.
Services such as Spheritec’s Datagard online backup are an option to automate the entire backup process and make sure that data is retrievable should a loss occur.
Datagard backs up chosen files by encrypting and transferring data over the internet to a business-grade storage facility.
‘Datagard is insurance for your data,’ says Glavonjic. ‘We insure our hardware but often the greatest value is in the data. A laptop can be easily replaced: - losing your important computer files is a loss that can have impact for months, if not years.’
Advanced scheduling means backups are made automatically. If a laptop owner isn’t online when the backup schedule is due to occur, the laptop will prompt a reminder next time the computer is logged in.
And what to do if you find yourself without your laptop? Datagard customers can benefit from being able to remotely access their backed up files over the web. With their username and password to log into the online vault, a Datagard customer can view the backed up files, choose to restore one or restore many to their current location with the press of a button.
Five laptop security measures: -
1. Use cable locks on laptops as visual deterrents only. Most cable locks can be ripped off the plastic exterior of a laptop with a strong tug. Cable locks are therefore akin to ink-filled garment security tags in clothing stores: they leave a mark when removed by force, but are ineffective at preventing many thefts.
2. Avoid leaving unsecured notebooks unattended. Lock them in cupboards, notebook carts or other secure facilities when not in use. If they must be left in a vehicle, they should be covered up or locked in the trunk.
3. Keep laptops inconspicuous. Carry them in inconspicuous carry cases, such as backpacks or tote bags, instead of obvious laptop bags.
4. Back-up valuable data off-site on a scheduled basis. Data back-up needs to happen frequently to minimise the risk to the organisation in the event of loss. Do not store your backups on-site: - it is not secure or a reliable means of backup and recovery.
5. Create a contingency plan. Identify possible damage should a breach in security occur; also consider how your customers would be served in the event of catastrophe. Contingency plans for security should be integrated with the organisation’s overall disaster recovery plans.
This article was supplied by Spheritec for more information about the solutions they offer or to contact Spheritec click here