The Laughing Wolf

Preparedness: Backups, Backups, & Backups

The other day reminded me that I have never really discussed backups here as I should. One of the things I do as a consultant on disaster preparedness issues is emphasize the need, and ease, of doing backups. While this is primarily computer, it also applies to paper records as well.

For computers, I have three types of backups: on-site, local, and long-distance. On-site is what most people do, but it is the least secure in terms of a real disaster. If your system crashes, it is great in that it is right there and all that, but if there is a fire, flood, storm, or man-made disaster, just call yourself Boston because you are scrod.

The way around this is to have an off-site, but local backup. This can be as simple as backing up your work computer or system and taking the backup to your home. You can get fancy and use a climate controlled facility for computer and paper backups, but you need something local that is physically removed from your main location. Updated regularly, it gives you security in the event something happens to or at the main site. If it is local, consider having a direct connection so that the system can be updated daily, or even mirrored.

Yet, nature can delight in being cruel and really do a number on any given locality. So, the way around this is to have off-site, non-local backups. It can be a different part of the company, relatives, friends, or any place else which is at least semi-secure and geographically isolated/remote from the main site. That way, if a tornado comes through and does unplanned urban renewal on your area and takes out the on-site and local backups, you still have options.

Another idea to consider here is to work with someone you trust who also needs to do backups. You each buy suitable storage/hard drive, and set it up where you back up to each other. With the right security protocols, both are safe and you both have inexpensive non-local backup. Want other ideas, or expansion on any of these? Hire me.

Also, make both paper and electronic backups of important documents. What I have done for some is to copy them, and then shoot digital high-res photos of them and burn same to CD. Make several copies each way, and store them in each of the areas above. That way, if something happens, you will have the needed copies of deeds, wills, and more so that you and yours are protected from bureaucrats and other officious types of all sizes and shapes.

Finally, test the system. I have been bitten before by things that should have worked, but did not. Be as prepared as possible. This ends today’s sermon on preparedness.

-30-