Backing up your files and data? WHY?

 

The Model:

The best comparison I can make to how storage of files works in a computer is like a filing cabinet – only with a computer, physical needs are not the total equation. With that analogy, files (software) are kept in folders (organizing software) and organized by some method according to an operating system (software). Sometimes, the need of a speedy retrieval is necessary. Other times, speed and ease are not the only consideration for file retrieval. For those kinds of storages, files and folders can sit in compressed or archive folders. To keep the filing “cabinet” functioning optimally without a lot of clutter, periodically the organizational software needs to be cleaned or re-organized. Big files need to be watched. They can accumulate and make the optical drive work harder if they obfuscate more regularly used software files.

Furthermore, much like a physical cabinet, the potential for loss of data is ever-present. Disasters, overwriting mistakes and even corruption of data by the hardware when saving can destroy or weaken files. There is no substitute for having a regular program of backing up in place for files and folders to help reduce the threat of information loss. I have an automatic backup on my Sony Vaio and twice a year I backup the files onto a DVD-ROM disk or flash drive. For personal use, I don’t have a strong need to make any backup more often. On my work computer, the system stores everything critical for our clients on nightly backup to the cloud, with cleanouts every 28 days. Obviously, with 28 days of client data, the storage needs are huge at my company (measured in Terabytes, compared to my Gigabytes). For me and my limited need for anything more important than a book or two that I write or copies of resumes and some picture files (which are already backed up), twice a year is fine. I have cleanup and disk defragmenting software to remove old, defunct files and ask me about really large image and movie files I didn’t even realize I had. Microsoft also has autosave features in many of its products, so the backup for these files is taken care of (although the storage is still just on my optical drive).

"There is little dispute that human error is the root cause of most successful cyberattacks. From falling victim to social engineering to failure to run security patches, an organization's employees are its biggest security risk. When it comes to data security, employee education and training is critical to ensure every user understands and follows best practices for proper data handling and storage.  Further, to properly evaluate their risk, organizations must first understand their data. Where is it? What is it? Is your most valuable or sensitive data, such as financial or PII, secure? Knowing where your most critical data is stored also helps with data recovery following an attack.  While not practical for larger enterprises in the limited time available, organizations should consider a software upgrade as part of a longer-term strategy. For small-to-medium businesses, the most sensible solution might be simply to upgrade to an operating system with ongoing support. " (Ali Abedin, University of Arizona Global Campus, Class Dialogue, 2022)

For more discussion, I recommend: 

Enis, M. (2017). Ransomware Hits Govt., Libraries. Library Journal, 142(8), 19–20

and my reference point :

Vahid, F., & Lysecky, S. (2019). Computing technology for all. zyBooks.

There are challenges to my plan, such as making sure I stay on schedule to manually backup my files. It would be easy to forget or procrastinate – for one thing, I cannot use the computer while the backup is running. Then I have to make sure I keep track of where I physically store the disks and flash drives. I really should do a better job of staying on top of this. I’m a work in progress.

How about you?