Planning for data backup is a very demanding process. You need to address many competing issues for the process to run smoothly. For example, you must first choose the kind of service you intend to use for backing up your data. If you would like to buy the services from commercial firms such as ottomatik and others, you must assess the amount of money you need for the project. Besides, you must ensure that your data is in excellent condition before you even settle on the data backup and recovery technique that you intend to use. Here are some critical questions that you should ask yourself during the planning stage.
- Which method will you use to backup your data?
There are four ways of backing up data: full backup, incremental backup, mirror backup and differential backup. All these methods are unique because of the specific techniques that are used to store and recover the data. Besides, the methods influence the particular speeds at which you can access your data when you need it. Before you start the data backup process, you must decide the specific way that you would like to store the data.
- Will your back up the data yourself or use a dedicated service?
There are pros and cons of either backing up your data locally or resorting to a dedicated server. Dedicated services usually have large servers that they use to keep the data of all their clients. On the other hand, if you choose to backup the data locally, then you need to assess your resources and determine whether they can support the project.
- Do you have the resources necessary?
Whether your back up the data locally or use a dedicated service, you will end up using resources to make the process a success. It is important first to determine the resources that you need to complete the process. The funds may be in the form of money or technical skills. Once you understand what you need to have, you may then acquire what you lack to ensure that the process is successful.
- What data do you need to back up?
You must determine the kind and size of data that you need to store. In some cases, it may be necessary to back up all the data that is available in the devices of your organization. in some cases; you must classify the data carefully and determine what needs to be backed up.
- How often will you need to access the data?
The recovery process is as important as the storage one. You need to determine how often you will be accessing your data before you use a specific backup method. Some techniques are known for their slow retrieval speeds; therefore, you must assess this issue while planning to back up your data either locally or with a dedicated service.
In summary, these are some of the most critical questions that you must ask yourself before you initiate a data backup project. The questions address issues to do with the method of storing your data, the frequency of retrieving it and the resources that you need for the work.
