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Computer Support For Individuals And Small Business |
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9/17/12 |
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Backup System Testing |
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A reliable, efficient backup system is critical to assuring data, whether business or personal, is secure. For more on the importance and other considerations of backing up see Backup?? Do I Have To? @#&!?.
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The value in backup software is that data can be recovered if it is lost in the event of a computer crash. It is also helpful when a file is accidently deleted or damaged. |
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Based on our experience, it is not uncommon to assume a computer is being backed up, then to discover later that for some reason the backup hasn’t occurred. It is very frustrating to the person who experiences a computer crash and then finds out the computer hasn’t been backed up or the data from the “backup” is not recoverable.
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It is critical, therefore, a backup system be tested to assure:
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- at risk data is designated to be backed up;
- the designated data is actually being backed up; and
- recovery is straightforward.
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At risk data is designated to be backed up – Typically, when a backup system is configured, the software gives you the opportunity to indicate what data should be backed up. This is usually in the form of a Windows Explorer-like interface.
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Usually, in a Windows environment, most important data is in MyDocuments (Documents in Windows Vista), MyPictures, etc. making it easy to indicate what needs to be backed up.
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However, it is crucial to consider whether there is data in other places that should be backed up, such as Microsoft Outlook email files or other proprietary software. This may take some investigation and research.
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Periodically, after the initial setup, this should be reviewed to assure all critical data is included.
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The data is actually being backed up – Most backup software provides a methodology to review backups and to recover individual files, individual folders, or all data. This should be tested by checking what is being backed up and how often.
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Recovery is straightforward - Further, and most important, it is critical to actually perform a test recovery of data. Care must be taken not to overwrite a current file on the computer.
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The procedures for recovery should be clear and straightforward. Most backup software will allow recovery to the original location or another location on the computer. |
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Selected files should be tested by recovering them to the computer, then opening through usual means to verify validity of the data. As an example a Word document could be recovered to a test folder. Then the file could be opened using Word.
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How often should these procedures be performed? The frequency of testing depends on the value of the data and how often, as well as the extent to which, it is modified.
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