It’s every person’s or business’s worst nightmare: data loss.
Your computer crashes, phone is lost or stolen, a natural disaster destroys the office – whatever the reason, data loss can be devastating for anyone.
Data loss usually results in some or all data elements becoming unusable by the owner or the corresponding software application. Data loss can also occur for a variety of reasons.
Accidents happen and people with malicious intent are out there. However, you can minimize the potential for data loss by understanding what leads to it in the first place.
We believe in giving you the information you need to prevent this from happening as well as offering data recovery solutions for when it does.
Top 5 Causes of Data Loss
#1. Hardware Failure
The majority of data losses are because of hardware malfunctions. External or internal hardware containing or maintaining the data can easily malfunction, leading to data loss.
The primary culprit is usually the hard drive. They are prone to physical or mechanical issues such as overheating and parts of the hard drive failing.
Hard drives are expected to fail at some point in the future. Manufacturers call this the hard drive’s Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), and it is an estimate when the hard drive will fail.
To minimize loss of data from hard drive failure, backup your data and your files to an external drive or cloud server to help ensure your data is not lost.
#2: Software Corruption
Unexpected or improper software shutdowns may seem innocent on the surface but can cause severe issues for your data. Any application used for requesting data can crash, resulting in data loss or corruption.
Improper shutdowns can also corrupt your data or delete your progress, wasting time and losing valuable data. When software becomes corrupted, it may not be able to run again, meaning you cannot access data stored in that software.
#3. Human Error
As humans, we’re not perfect — we all make mistakes, and sometimes they’re big ones.
In the case of data loss, these mistakes can result in the unintentional deletion of data files or sections of text.
Without realizing it, you may overwrite important files or delete essential information for you or your business. Human error can also play a part in other leading causes of data loss, such as hard drive damage, liquid spills, software corruption, and hard drive formatting.
#4. Natural Disasters
From tornadoes to fires, disasters can happen when you least expect them and have devastating impacts on your business. They can destroy your computer, data, or your business.
To minimize the effects of a natural disaster, back up your data on a weekly basis and store your files off-site in a secure location.
#5. Cybercrimes
Over the years, hacking and data breaches have become a more common problem, making cybersecurity measures crucial to anyone’s computer safety. Attackers in your network can cause damage to your data, deleting and stealing your data.
Hacking and data breach can even damage entire network processes if Attackers have enough access to your system. You can minimize the potential for such losses by having a robust cyber security strategy to keep out hackers. We can help implement a custom solution for your business.
How to Protect Your Data
Backup your data – The 3-2-1 Method
All computer users, from home users to professional information security professionals, should back up the critical data they have on their desktops, laptops, servers, and even mobile devices to protect it from loss or corruption. Saving just one backup file may not be enough to safeguard your information. To increase your chances of recovering lost or corrupted data, follow the 3-2-1 rule:
- 3 – Keep 3 copies of any important file: 1 primary and 2 backups.
- 2 – Keep the files on 2 different media types to protect against different types of hazards.
- 1 – Store 1 copy offsite (e.g., outside your home or business facility).
Store Data in a RAID
- Many businesses store data in a RAID which is a technology that uses multiple hard drives that appear to a user as only one and can store lots of data. If one of the hard drives fails, a RAID can ensure you can access your data until the hard drive is replaced. You should still backup your data elsewhere even when using a RAID.
We Can Help You with Data Recovery
Like most people, you have important data on your computer that you don’t want to lose. That is why it is vital to have a data recovery plan in place in case of an emergency.
A successful data recovery depends on many factors, and we can evaluate your specific situation. The most efficient solution to data loss is to have a good data backup and business recovery plan in place.
If there is a case where you lose your data, we can help you with your data recovery. We have a team of security experts who will work with you to develop a plan that fits your specific needs.
Contact us to see how we can help secure and protect your network and computers.
