‘Data,’ in any language means information. It is a collection of facts and figures, in a form that is convenient and easy to process. It is knowledge in binary form. To a business entrepreneur this knowledge is power and, income too. Power; for this factual knowledge equips one with acumen to chalk out long term goals and implement means of achieving them. It is also income. Future earnings, growth and profit curve, (in fact the very business continuation) are importantly dependant upon the existence of data.
As a rule, a successful entrepreneur is one who makes use of data for arriving at proper business decisions. Such vital information is held in a personal computer which is quite prone to failure. 93% of the companies that suffer data loss and operate without if for 10 days or more are forced to file for a bankruptcy within a year. This proves that when a computer fails or a hard disk crashes the cost of the system hardly amounts to much. The data that it contains is invaluable.
Reasons for Computer Failure and Data Loss
Just 2% of the data lost is due to natural disasters. Viruses, though they cause widespread destruction are just doubly destructive than natural disasters. They account for 4% of data loss instances. Software problems account for 9% of the problem. Together, these three factors collectively register a 15% of the total data lost. However, the destructive capabilities of the ignorant computer user vastly surpass the cumulative effect of the other three. Human error accounts for 26% of data loss. Apart from these four causative factors, all other data loss episodes can be attributed to hardware problems.
Every business entrepreneur or every company makes it a compulsory exercise to create a back up for all the data they generate. Large companies have a separate IT department where the data back up manager takes care of creating a regular back up. It is a huge responsibility that begins by selecting the right back up media, stocking the storage device in a proper place, performing a routine examination of the media and being ready with a disaster recovery plan. Unfortunately, all companies are not so punctually prepared to tackle emergencies as and when they arise for they relegate back up creation to the background.
Why Do Some Companies Neglect Creating a Data Backup?
It is the SMEs that neglect the data back up function. They procrastinate for the simple reason that disasters rarely strike. They do not have a manager in charge of formulating data backup operations. The responsibility falls on the other employees who either find it too difficult or time consuming. Moreover, it is difficult to create a backup for files that are actively in use. Eventually all companies create a back up though, not on a regular basis. When the inevitable ultimately happens few are ready to face the exigency. Even more disturbing are the effects of malicious damage and hacking, where the services of a computer forensics (digital forensics) expert may be required.
Importance of Creating a Backup for Data
The backup of data acts as a safety net entailing peace of mind to SMEs and big companies alike. Storing the files and other important data on a computer in a separate location offers complete protection to the data. Even if the computers are damaged or afflicted by the varied reasons prevalent, data remains unaffected. Businesses can carry on functioning without any disruption to their operations. Any interruption to their functioning leads to great financial loss and closure of the company. In short data back up protects them from bankruptcy.
Such protection comes at a very low price. Different data back up storage devices are available. Each device has certain pertinent features appropriately suited to diverse business entrepreneurial needs.
Every company creates a back up of data for the assurance of data availability. Investments are regularly made in creating a back up. The investment in the back up is directly proportional to the necessity of data for the business survival. Data can be lost due to many reasons. However, all reasons share two common features. They are unexpected and beyond human control. Creating a back up for the generated data requires little effort and gives great peace of mind. The time and energy that would otherwise be spent in recovering data is put to productive use of business development.