Backups are one of the most important areas of computing. Unfortunately it is also one of the most neglected. Other than fans, the hard drive in your computer is the only other component that has constantly moving parts. And since the hard drive is the component that holds your data - including your programs, documents, pictures and email - it is the most critical device in your computer. A hard drive failure could result in the loss of your data. It is a fact that given enough time ALL hard drives will eventually fail, many times without ANY warning. I’ve seen drives fail only months after a computer was purchased. Sometimes data recovery companies can retrieve the data - at a hefty price of about $3000. Use the following tips when developing your backup strategy:

• Backup frequently.
• Use more than one backup media and rotate through them to protect against backup media failure.
• Store the backup media in a locked cabinet or safe to protect against theft.
• Store a recent backup offsite to protect against fire or theft.
• Regularly test your backups by performing test restores to confirm that the backups are performed properly.
• If you have a server configure it to back up everyone’s files at the same time.
• Make copies of your backup program installation discs and store them offsite or in a fireproof safe. If you lose your backup program you may not be able to restore your files after repair or onto another computer.
• If you can afford it consider business grade backup equipment like tapes or removable hard drives. Would you trust your data - worth hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars - to be stored on a $20 USB memory stick or other cheap device?