The term data recovery implies the recovery of data from storage devices that are not functioning properly. Thus, access to the data by normal means is not possible. Now a data storage device such as a hard drive may not be functioning due to a variety of reasons. These include failure of the computer, attack on the system by a virus, certain physical damage that may have been caused to the disk etc. Also, different types of data storage devices are available.
Thus, each problem that may have occurred requires a unique solution. This makes the data recovery process highly specialised and complicated as well. In case you need to hire data recovery services frequently, you may have observed that the cost varies for each job and some of the jobs are quite inexpensive than the others. The reasons for the same can be better understood by studying the cost structure and the types of jobs that may be performed.
Types of Data Recovery Services
The data recovery services offered are of two basic types viz. ones dealing with software problems and those that deal with the hardware problems or the physical damage that may have been caused to the device. The software problems mainly include corruption of data and logical failures. Such problems can usually be solved by pre-programmed processes and hence, do not cost much. Thus, once your problem has been identified correctly, it can be solved using a variety of available software
On the other hand, if the problem bears its roots in physical damage, the job becomes much more tedious and needs to be handled with extreme caution. These are the jobs that usually cost you a fortune along with great skill; they also require a large amount of infrastructure in the form of advanced equipments, Clean Rooms etc. Thus, the initial investment for companies that handle such jobs is high.
Now, let us have a look at the cost structure so that you can understand where you money goes into.
Cost Structure of Data Recovery Services
The cost structure of the services can also be divided into two main parts such as cost of diagnosis of the problem and the cost of solving the diagnosed problem. The cost of the diagnosis is usually a standard one for a particular company. After the diagnosis is complete, most companies give you a rough estimate regarding the cost of the service required. Some companies even charge based upon the number of hours they spend on repairing your device.
The cost of the services offered by the company increases with its reputation and the number of years that it has been in service. It also depends on the number of skilled professionals that it employs. The more the success rate and reputation of a company, the more it will charge you. Also, you end up paying more if the company you have hired has professionals with higher educational qualifications and years of experience since they would be paying huge salaries to these professionals.
The Complications in Data Recovery
As you may have observed, even the reputed companies do not boast of a 100 percent success rate. This is so because success cannot be guaranteed in most data recovery processes other than the simple ones. In many cases, the storage media may have been damaged to such an extent that recovery is not possible. In others, the data that possibly could have been recovered is lost due to some mistake on the part of the technician.
Another reason for which the company may charge you more depends on the importance of the data that needs to be recovered. Some of the data handled by companies can be of utmost importance to the client. Such data may include various details regarding the business such as the contracts that it has undertaken, the contact details of customers and in case of banks, the customers account statements etc. Most of the times, the data recovery company is fully aware of this importance of the clients’ data and hence, will charge them accordingly.
The Last Word
Thus, it can be seen that in case you intend to recover your data, you will probably have to spend lots of money on the same. It is true that there are many services available in the market these days that claim that they are cheap. But, opting for the same may imply putting your data under great threat. Hence, it is always better to opt for companies with good reputation even if they might charge you a little more. If your data problems are too complex to be solved by data recovery then consulting a Computer Forensics (or Digital Forensics) expert may be the best option.