The 6 best ways to avoid data loss — starting today

Nothing’s worse than the moment you realize you’ve just entered the dark world of data loss.

In what seems like the blink of an eye, precious files and valuable data can vanish, suddenly replaced with an overwhelming feeling of panic. As you scramble to see what went wrong, it hits you — all that lost data will not be retrieved.

Once the dust settles and you realize what has occurred, you can’t help but wonder … how could this have been prevented?

Luckily for you, we have a pretty good place for you to start.

Here are 6 pro tips that can help you avoid data loss and all the bad mojo that comes with it.

Maintain Software Updates

Software updates usually exist to patch known vulnerabilities — vulnerabilities that can let some pretty bad things happen to your data.

So to avoid that, keep your software up-to-date. Avoid postponing updates and regularly check for pending software updates.

Protect Your Hardware

Get serious about protecting your hardware by keeping all network components in a secure, air-conditioned area with low foot traffic to prevent accidents. It’s also a plus to have an access or monitoring system in place that can deter theft, such as visible video security and a 2FA-enabled entry.

Use Multiple Backups

There are a number of data backup and storage solutions available, including local drives, virtualization, and cloud backup systems. Implementing the 3-2-1 strategy will ensure redundancy and viability when you need your data most. Once you do backup your data, verify that everything was stored properly.

It is also recommended that you create a disaster plan. Best case scenario, you won’t ever need to use it — but during the worst case scenario, you will at least be prepared.

Back Up Data Strategically

Unfortunately, disasters happen. Whether you’re concerned about storms, an unexpected building fire, or catastrophic human error, plan your data backup according to recovery priority. Based on your most critical applications and data, you can schedule full, incremental, and differential backups to ensure the right data is available when you need it most.

In addition, create a step-by-step disaster recovery plan that addresses power loss issues with battery or generator backup, as well.

Test Your Backup Solution

Having a backup solution is one thing, but if you haven’t fully tested that solution, how can you ensure its accuracy or availability? Regular, frequent backup testing will require you to get into a routine and identify any issues with backup storage, quality, or performance. This allows you to fix problems before any major disturbances impact your data occur.

Create MDM Policies

In today’s mobile world, businesses must create appropriate data management policies for the diversity of devices and users accessing your network. However, many companies have not yet implemented mobile-ready security policies for employee-owned devices. Clear boundaries and guidance are critical to create company-wide mobile device management policies that protect essential data.

Addressing  ‘acceptable use’ of personal devices, access to company-owned resources, and use of device locks, passwords, and wiping will strengthen data security against lost or stolen devices.

 

By taking action today, you can prevent a mountain of headaches in the future. Whether you want to protect valuable data or maximize productivity, you can prevent data loss.