Resources
Oct 21

Do Your Backups Actually Protect ALL of Your Data?

Backup Pitfalls

This may come as a surprise – just because backups are “working” does not necessarily mean that the backups are catching all of the data.  Additionally, the data that has been “caught” may not be usable. Systems services such as databases, email, credentialing, and collaboration are all subject to backup requirements beyond simple file backups.  For this reason, CFOs often ask CVM to conduct a backup audit to ensure that they have a clear understanding of risk and that key pieces of data do not slip through the cracks.

As technology increases in complexity so do the requirements for getting clean useable backups of systems and data.  New technologies have been developed to provide backups though the use of virtualization, snapshots, and replication; however, these configurations must be thoroughly understood as they are implemented.  The cost of a mistake, even an accidental one is high, as mis-configuring even a single setting may invalidate any expectations executives have about compliance or risk.  Proper setup is made more difficult by the fact that vendors are often concerned primarily with selling, and with configuration.

Some of the issues that we see at new customers include:

  1. Backups that do not use a proper VSS agent to create the backup.
  2. Backups to disk that due to size are not all being copied to removable media for off-site storage.
  3. Backups to disk that are being copied to removable media using an incorrect schedule that misses essential components that would be required for a restore.
  4. Database backups that do not truncate transaction logs. The logs grow to a point where they affect performance or stability.
  5. Backup systems that have run for months but have never been tested.

Confidence to Focus on Other Areas Without Worry

Are you 100% confident your backups are running correctly, that all of your data is being appropriately protected and that your risk is truly being managed? If not, we would be happy to take a look and either give you that assurance or fix anything that has been set up incorrectly.