Data Security and Backups

Wednesday 23 November 2011

What is BareMetal Data Protection

I am writing this blog, as I would like to share with you all regarding Bare Metal data protection. Anyone who has lost system disk on a server, workstation or laptop has gone thru pain, trouble and frustration of restoring the computer to its original state. While it is necessary to recover lost files and data, the process to installing operating systems, re-downloading or installing all the applications, locating and entering their licenses keys or authorization codes can be time consuming. It invariably happens that it is impossible to bring back computer to its original state, where in you might have misplaced license keys or authorization codes for operating system or for any important software of yours. To overcome this trouble there are software products available which offer Bare Metal Data Protection.
BareMetal is a technology through which you can restore an entire system from backups to new hardware without requiring a reinstall of the operating system or requiring initialized disks. This technology is designed to dramatically decrease the time and effort required to restore a computer to its original state in the event of a system failure.  BareMetal protects not only the typical files and data of the user but also the operating system and applications. 
The following shall give better understanding between the two:
Data recovery to a new computer in a TYPICAL recovery environment
Step1: Get new computer or fix existing computer
Step2: Install or reinstall operating system
Step3: Install hardware Drivers
Step4: Install Operating System Updates
Step5: Reinstall Software Applications
Step6: Setup Operating system and applications
Step7: Restore backed up data
Step8: Computer Ready to Use

Data recovery to a new computer using BAREMETAL
Step1:  Get new computer or fix existing computer
Step2: Boot thru Bare metal media   
Step3: Restore Operating System, applications and data from previous operation
Graphical Understanding of the same can be accessed here

Friday 11 November 2011

11 Most Common Reasons why people don't do Backup

My this November post is to highlight reasons people do not take backup. I thought of writing this post , as when I am with my clients for Software Implementation, I normally tend to discuss with them regarding their backup policy. Priority of the backup is low till the time there is a data loss disaster, and the moment it happens the best of the system is implemented, thereafter. Although, everyone wishes to take backup and understands the importance of the same, I would like to share most often excuses for not taking backup.
Think about backup as something like this, imagine you have 500 people working in a office building, there is a backup plan implemented for power failure but it is not used everyday, but the day on which there is a power failure it comes to rescue. Data backup is about protecting your data's future.

Reason #1
I am too busy to backup my computer, everyday. Once a month is good.

Imagine, you have backed up your data at the end of month, if the computer crashes during the month, you shall lose your valuable data. It’s recommended to do backups regularly. Automatic backups shall resolve your issue as system shall do auto backups when it finds internet connection.

Reason #2
We save our data to central dedicated high configuration server

No matter what configuration servers you store your data, backups are must. Backups are a second copy of the data, not the original data. In case, if your server goes down or are unable to access the same, backups can get you up and working on another system within no time.

Reason #3
My computer shall not crash

I have been using computer since long and I had no problems, why worry about backup. In today’s tech world, your computer might get infected through viruses or spyware which can crash your computer.

Reason #4
I don't know how to backup data

To start off, first identify what is the most vital information that you would like to backup. There are various options for backup like you can start on CD-DVD / external hard drives / Zip drives / Online Backups.

Reason #5
I run a small business, I don't have a lot of data. Backup is only for big companies.

Imagine, how it would feel if you have lost all your data one fine day. I bet that your database is many times more valuable than the cost of backing up your data, no matter what size of your business is.

Reason #6
Everything’s in my head, if I lose data not to worry

I know my data and I can remember all my clients money I have to receive and make payments. Data is not only about paying and receiving money. It covers all your important information like contacts, emails, agreements, legal papers and others.

Reason #7
I work on laptop and carry laptop with me all day and night.

Your laptop is at most risk of data loss than your desktop computer. Laptops are most vulnerable to be stolen from your office, from airport, your car or any other location. If you have your data in laptop that is not backup, you are carry your only data.

Reason #8
I got a brand new computer, I don’t worry about backing up

It’s impossible to predict when your computer shall crash. Even if you have new hard drive that does not mean it shall not fail, this is just another excuse not to take backup.

Reason #9
My assistant does backup of data, except the days he / she is not there.

If your assistant is on vacation for 2 weeks and it can most likely happen you might have a crash of computer during that time. You should have an automatic backup which does not require any manual intervention.

Reason #10
All I need is my accounting data backup and that is done by my accountant once a year.

Taking accounting backup once a year is risky. If data loss occurs during the year means you have lost all the valuable records of your business which can throw you out of business within no time. If you consider the value of disaster that shall be heavy price to pay.

Reason #11
I don’t have staff to do backup

I run my business by myself. I don’t have time to do backup. It can certainly happen that taking backup can be time consuming but in that case you should use continuous online backups, which shall make sure you do not miss backing up data.

Bottom line is, when you work so hard in business, why not to take care of your data by implementing a successful backup system. Calculate yourself, how much data you need to backup and what cost shall be to do backup.
Committing yourself to do daily backups for your business shall help you during the time of disaster.

Thursday 10 November 2011

3 types of Cloud Computing

I shall be discussing today more details related to Cloud computing. I had mentioned basic information related to Cloud Computing in my previous post which were “What is Cloud computing and How it Works” and “ 6 Benefits of Cloud Computing”.
In this post I shall be focussing on types of cloud computing

There are 3 types of cloud computing

1.     Infrastructure as a Service [Iaas]
Cloud computing infrastructure services delivers computer infrastructure as a service. Rather than purchasing servers, software, data storage centers or any network infrastructure , customers can buy those service from providers.
Examples for this service can Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud [EC2], IBM and other traditional IT vendors.

2.     Platform as a Service [Paas]
Platform as a Service provides virtualized servers on which existing applications can be run by users without having to worry about maintaining servers, operating systems, hardware, load balancing. It facilitates deployment of applications without the cost and complexity of buying and managing the underlying hardware and software layers. Examples can be Microsoft's Azure and Salesforce’s Force.com

3.     Software as a Service [Saas]
The most widely known and used form of cloud computing. Rather than purchasing servers, software, data-center space or network equipment, clients instead buy those resources as a fully outsourced service. Suppliers typically bill such services on a utility computing basis; the amount of resources consumed. Software as a Service provides all facility of traditional computing except instead of installing them locally, all the applications are accessed thru web browser. Examples can be Salesforce.com, Google's Gmail and Apps.