It might seem like saving multiple times to multiple folders is enough to keep your data safe. Some may even use a flash drive to ensure they’ll never lose their data. The reality is, computers crash. Flash drives are lost. Data is hardly safe, these days. And for most people, their business data is deeply important. Losing it could mean losing your job. When the stakes are this high, you’re going to want to invest in throwing your data into an online backup system.
The Importance of Backing Up Your Business Data
June 17, 2016 by
When the stakes are this high, you’re going to want to invest in throwing your data into an online backup system.
Start Employing Data Backups to Avoid a Data Loss Disaster
January 6, 2016 by
The security and reassurance of frequent data backups are invaluable, from personal to corporate use.
Whether you just got a new piece of tech during the holidays or whether you’re in need of a new year’s resolution, now is the time to start backing up your personal data. Getting into the habit of a frequent data backup will save you lots of heart and headache in the event that your computer (or computer system) meets its untimely demise. Data loss can range from losing a few hours’ worth of writing to the downfall of an entire business, but in any case, it’s better to spend some time on a data backup than to deal with inconvenient data loss or catastrophic IT failure. [Read more…]
The Benefits of Custom IT Solutions for Your Business
March 12, 2015 by
Your business needs systems setup, cyber security, back ups, managed services, and networks to work in the digital age. Why get them all from separate sources when you can get a custom IT solution from an experienced IT company? A custom IT solution is a considerable investment but gets you everything you need without the things you don’t, gets you real hands on support, and improved efficiency over prepackaged systems.
Get Everything You Need and Nothing You Don’t
The first benefit of custom IT solutions for your business is that with custom it solutions you get everything you need and nothing you don’t. By getting custom IT assistance provided by experienced and qualified individuals, you can pick the features you want, the ones most relevant to your business. This way you can get them all from one source, rather then getting multiple prepackaged or proprietary IT solutions to address the things your company needs most you can get them all in one. And with custom IT solutions you don’t get anything you don’t need, no extra clutter on your systems, no distracting programs, and no unnecessary extra costs. So with custom IT solutions you get everything your business needs and nothing it doesn’t, where as with prepackaged IT solutions you might have to buy multiple products to precisely fit your companies IT needs and you’ll get material superfluous to your business. [Read more…]
Different Types of Data Backups for Your Business
February 23, 2015 by
Last week we helped you make the data backup plan for your company. However, while you’ve come up with a plan of what needs to be backed up monthly, daily, weekly, and ever single time it’s edited, you haven’t figured out how best to back it up. When it comes to the different types of data backups, it can get really confusing. That’s why, this week, Working Nets has a guide to the different types of data backups available, and brief overviews of their advantages and disadvantages.
Magnetic Tape
Magnetic tape is an older solution and is rapidly losing relevancy in today’s technology. It can backup more, faster, then secondary hard drives, for cheaper, but it’s rapidly losing it’s slight edge in this department. Also, to backup and retrieve data from backup you have to run the tap sequentially. Which means you don’t pick and choose the data you retrieve, it has to all be retrieved, and then you sort through the data. However, for the time being, magnetic tape is the best for backing up large amounts of data quickly, and retrieving them quickly. [Read more…]
Making a Plan for Data Backup
February 16, 2015 by
The recent cyber attack at Sony Pictures Entertainment, which stole data and then wiped software and data from company computers, is just the most recent reminder of the importance of having a data backup plan. Although Sony is a large company, it didn’t have sufficient backups for its data. It will take a lot of time and money to put everything back together, if even it can be. Don’t let this happen to you. Be prepared with Working Nets guide to making a plan for data backup.
Determining What Needs To Be Backed Up
Begin by prioritizing the importance of your data. Some data, might not even warrant being backed up. Other information, like databases of critical data, should have multiple redundant backup systems, that go back for multiple backup periods. Determining the importance of your data, and what needs backing up and what does not, is entirely up to you.
Part of Sony’s current problem is with restoring its data. They aren’t sure how far back the data backups might be corrupted, so newer corrupted backups are dangerous to use. This is an extreme example, as most businesses aren’t likely to be the targets of such extensive cyber attacks, but does prove a point. Depending on the importance of the data, you might want to keep older back ups- just in case you are hacked and you can determine that newer backups might be compromised as well.
How Often, and When, Should it be Backed Up?
How often and when you should backup your data is largely dependent on how important it is, and how often it is edited.
Your most important data should be backed up every time a significant edit is made. Lower priority data can probably be backed up weekly or monthly, depending on the frequency and importance of edits. If they’re data bases that might change entirely over the course of the day should be updated daily. Others might need their updates over the course of the day, or a month.
You should also consider entire system back ups weekly. If your system’s run on the weekend, this can be set to be done automatically at odd hours, so it doesn’t affect business too much.
What type of Backup will You Use?
Another important consideration of your plan for data backup is what type of backup you will use. The type of backup media you will use depends on several factors, the capacity, reliability, speed, and cost. The capacity is how much the back up medium can store. The reliability is how consistent and effective the medium is at meeting its own specifications. The speed is how fast the medium can backup and recover data. And finally the cost you need to consider is how much money your business will have to spend to buy and maintain this backup solution. You will need to make the choice of what backup system you want to use based on a balance of those four factors.
Get your Data Backed up With Working Nets
Need help figuring out a plan for data backup and recovery? Working Nets assures that we can keep your vital business data is kept secure if disaster strikes. We have knowledgeable experts on staff who can make sure that your IT needs are covered and that all of your information is safe. To talk to someone about data backup and recovery for your small business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.
You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+
All About Data Backup
August 28, 2014 by
Computers are as much a part of our everyday lives as eating and sleeping. It is almost 100% guaranteed that you will interact with a computer or other piece of technology at some point every day. In fact, a recent survey showed that you’re likely to have just as many electronic interactions as you are to have face-to-face interactions in today’s world. This statistic is even more prevalent for small businesses that require a lot of technology to operate. If you think about it, nearly everything that you do for your company requires you to use a computer of some sort. This brings us to our first point.
Why is Data Backup Important?
Have you ever thought about all of the information stored in a piece of equipment that can easily fit on your desk? Now, have you ever considered what would happen if that piece of equipment was destroyed or decided to fail one day? You could lose relevant financial information, client information, and more. Data backup is important in a few different cases:
- Your computer fails
- Your computer is destroyed in a disaster
- Someone steals your information
- Your data becomes corrupted
If any of these things happen, you want to know that your data is in more than one place; you also want to make sure that the second place is safe, though. That brings us to point number 2!
How Should I Back Up My Data?
There are many different options for backing up your important data. It all depends on what technology you know how to use and what you think will work well for your company. The following options are some popular data backup options:
- The Cloud – It sounds a lot more complicated and ethereal than it is. Saving to the cloud basically means that you’re saving to a remote database that you can access from any computer. Using a cloud computing service will allow you to back up and share information.
- External Hard Drive – The only problem with external hard drives is that they also have the ability to crash and are susceptible to physical disasters. If you do back up to an external hard drive, it’s advisable that you password protect it and store it somewhere different than your primary computer.
- Flash Drives – If you need a quick way to back up your data and take it with you somewhere, a flash drive is the answer. It doesn’t offer as much space as an external hard drive or cloud computing service, but it essentially does the same job. Flash drives are tiny, so you also have to be careful not to lose it.
Backup and Recovery Experts
Data protection and recovery is crucial. Working Nets assures that your vital business data is kept secure if disaster strikes. We have knowledgeable experts on staff who can make sure that your IT needs are covered and that all of your information is safe. To talk to someone about data backup and recovery for your small business, give us a call at (443) 992-7394. We’d be happy to assist you with your professional business networking needs.
You can also visit WorkingNets.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+
Source: Technology.Pitt
All About Disaster Recovery and Data Backup
April 25, 2014 by
You never know when disaster is going to strike. If you’ve ever had a computer crash and haven’t had your work backed up to an external source, you know the crushing feeling of losing a lot of information. Backing up your data can save you from losing important information and give you a way to retrieve documents from a secondary source. The importance of backing up your data can’t be overstated, but how can you do it? You can back your data up in a vast array of ways. It’s also important to consider what data really needs to be backed up so you’re not overloading your backup device.
Backup Options
There are a ton of options out there for backing up your data. Cloud computing is quickly becoming one of the most popular backup options among companies because it has so many perks (even outside of data backup). You can access the information from the Cloud anywhere with an internet connection. It’s incredibly convenient and can save you a ton of money in the long run. You can also opt to get an external hard drive, flash drive, or CD/DVD, all of which will allow you to back things up. The nice part about these is that they’re fairly secure and you can take them anywhere, no internet required. The drawback is that they’re also susceptible to disaster.
What should you back up?
First thing’s first: it’s important to have 3 copies of everything, just in case one of your backups fails. Make sure that you use two of the options above, preferably one from each category. You’ll want to back up anything that’s really important to you personally or to your business. Downloaded content can usually be re-downloaded in the event of an accident. Anything that is vital to your personal or business records should be backed up, and often. Financial statements, client documents, and anything you need to run your business are all important. Remember, this is disaster recovery.
How often should you back things up?
This really depends on what you’re backing up and how often you create new documents. For companies, it’s best to back your data up every day. You don’t want anything to put you behind or lose information on vital projects. Anytime you add something important to your computer, you should make a point to back it up. Otherwise, if you only create every so often, you should back up about once a week.
If you have a lot of information to back up and need to know the best way for your company, you should get in contact with professionals who have a lot of experience in the IT field!
Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department in Baltimore!
At Working Nets in Baltimore, we support your business by providing top-notch Information Technology (I.T.) services to companies like yours: Companies that don’t need full-time I.T. services, but do need someone to turn to, when they are having a problem. We provide services like Network Design, Monitoring and Maintenance. We troubleshoot technical issues when they arise, and give you options for solving them. We help you use your technology investment to achieve your business goals. If you have any questions about disaster recovery and data backup, please contact us at 443.992.7394 or visit our website!
At Working Nets, our focus is on your needs!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2065126/the-absurdly-simple-guide-to-backing-up-your-pc.html
Why Should I Backup My Data?
February 19, 2014 by
Odds are that your business relies on technology in one form or another, whether it is invoicing, record keeping, accounting, or any one of the numerous other technologically-driven business tasks out there. So with so much of your company’s future success relying on computers, how often do you backup your data?
Astonishingly, only 25% of computer users regularly backup their data!
Of companies that experience a major loss of business data, only 6% survive, 51% close within 2 years, and 43% never recover. So let me ask you again…how often do you backup your business data?
Other Important Questions to Address:
- Where do you backup your data to?
- Where do you keep the backup media files?
- How often do you test your restores?
When you suffer data loss, you want to get your business back up and running as quickly as possible. And to ensure this happens, you must have a redundant disaster recovery system in place. The more redundant your systems, the less you will suffer.
Disaster Recover and Data Backup Tips & Tricks
- Software: If you utilize specific software and other applications to run your business, be sure you have copies stored offsite.
- Passwords: Be sure to have your passwords stored in a secure location offsite. After all, what good is restoring your data if you cannot access it?
- Alerts: If it is possible, have alerts setup to notify you when your critical systems are down.
- Document Everything: Be sure to document step-by-step instructions to get your computers back up and running. This needs to include your restore procedures (how to get the backup software and media, and any documentation needed to operate that software and media), any vendor information (account numbers and system credentials), and a list of the software you use.
For a full Disaster Recovery Planning worksheet, visit WorkingNets.com or click here.
If you have any questions about Disaster Recover and Backups, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!
Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!
At Working Nets, we support your business by providing top-notch Information Technology (I.T.) services to companies like yours: Companies that don’t need full-time I.T. services, but do need someone to turn to, when they are having a problem. We provide services like Network Design, Monitoring and Maintenance. We troubleshoot technical issues when they arise, and give you options for solving them. We help you use your technology investment to achieve your business goals.
At Working Nets, our focus is on your needs!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.
The Importance of Data Backup
September 9, 2013 by
Running a small business can mean a lot of information is in one system or on one computer. Accidents and problems can occur no matter how many precautions you take. Storms can still hit too hard with surge protectors, a storm can wipe out an entire infrastructure, and hackers get better and better everyday. You may find yourself needing disaster recovery. At Working Nets, we provide you with the best possible prevention to these problems, but we also acknowledge that sometimes things just happen. This is why we also offer backup services. It’s good to know what kind of data backup is available and why it is helpful.
- Local data backups – A local backup is one that is stored on a device that you can physically hold. Usually people use discs, flash drives, or external hard drives to back up their work. The benefit to this is that you have the backups on hand and can use them anywhere whether or not you have Internet connection. The downside to a local backup is that if a natural disaster destroys your data and your local backup is in the same location as that data, you’re going to lose all of it anyway.
- Offsite data backups – This one essentially speaks for itself. Offsite backup has a big advantage over a local backup. It can be accessed from anywhere and won’t be destroyed in the event of a natural disaster. Offsite backups are becoming more and more popular as the Internet continues to grow and expand. People are using the different websites and programs that are emerging to ensure that their data does not disappear. One worry with an offsite backup is security. It is essential to know that your data is being put in a safe place, especially if it concerns business or finances.
Whether you’re running a business or are just a student with a lot of information stored on your computer, making data backups can save you a lot of trouble and headache in the long run.
At Working Nets, we were founded to provide small businesses, like yours, with expert information technology support they needed. Our disaster recovery services help ensure your vital business data is kept safe and secure!
If you have any questions about Disaster Recovery, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Source: The Importance of Backing Up Your Data
System Downtime costs Companies $366,363 annually. Fight Back!
February 22, 2013 by
Where did all the data go?
Shockingly, according to the 2012 Acronis Disaster Recovery Index survey, system downtime costs companies an average of $366,363 annually. The survery, which was conducted by the Ponemon Institute and data protection software developer Acronis, found that 86% of companies suffered costly downtime the year before, losing an average of 2.2 days annually. The primary culprits were…
- Human Error: 60% of respondents cited human error as the most common cause of downtime.
- Data Storage: 70% of respondents cited data storage and the moving of data between different physical, virtual and cloud environments as the biggest cause of downtime.
According to Continuity Software, a New York-based provider of service availability risk management solutions, data storage carries the biggest risk for data loss and costly downtime. The company found that…
- The primary cause of downtime and data loss in 58% of cases is storage.
- Servers come in second at 17%.
- Clusters account for 11%.
- Virtualization and the cloud, 9%.
- Databases round out the group at 5%.
What is perhaps most shocking is what follows. According to Continuity Software’s findings, 25% of downtime results in Response Time Objective (RTO) violations, which increase downtime. Why? According to Working Nets own David Spigelman, the primary culprit behind RTO violations could be fear.
“The first question the boss is going to ask is, ‘Why didn’t we have that covered?’” explained David. “And if you don’t have a good answer to that question, there’s a real fear that you should have.”
According to a 2011 EVault survey, 17% of IT decision makers would rather have their teeth pulled without painkillers than inform their bosses of critical data loss. And for good reason. Major data loss can be devastating for a business. Of companies that experience a major loss of business data 51% close within 2 years, while 43% never recover.
Do you want to know the secret to minimizing downtime and data loss? Be proactive! Having a disaster recovery and data backup system in place is the best way to minimize downtime and get your business back on track quickly.
Minimize Costly Downtime with Working Nets, your Virtual IT Department!
Downtime is a business owner’s worst nightmare. This is why data protection and recovery is crucial. At Working Nets, we help ensure that your vital business data is kept secure if disaster strikes. We provide top-notch information technology services to companies who don’t require an IT department, but do need reliable assistance when challenges arise.
By reducing downtime, your office remains more productive and ultimately more profitable!
If you have any questions, please contact Working Nets by calling (443) 992-7394 or visit WorkingNets.com today!
Welcome to Working Nets – your virtual IT Department!
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.
Sources:
6 Surprising Surveys About Causes And Effects Of System Downtime
