Losing all of your data can easily cripple a business no matter how big or small it is, which is why data backup and tape rotation are so important for every company in any industry. We live in a digital age where theft, computer failure, industrial mischief, human error and angry employees can ruin a business in the blink of an eye. This is why it is so important to guarantee the safety of your information through routine backups and secure storage of all data and records until it is needed.
As a result most businesses engage in at least rudimentary data security by making backup tapes each day, but many reuse the same tape or couple of tapes over and over, exposing their business to unnecessary risk. Following a few simple principles can drastically reduce that risk and help guarantee the safe flow of information and the continuity of your business. In general, the key to data safety is tape rotation and regular backups. Never use the same cartridge each day, this leaves you open to problems if the tape is damaged or if your system fails during the backup. Next, always store some records off site, preferably in a secure location like a bank safety deposit box or a third party archive. Lastly, make sure that you backup your information on a different tape every day. Not every other day or once a week–every single day.
The bare minimum for any slightly safe data security system should be to use 5 backup tapes on a rotating basis during the workweek, similar to how some companies use security camera tapes. However, realistically you should develop a system that incorporates both daily and weekly archives, preferably monthly and yearly as well. This will make your life significantly easier and your data and clients’ private information much more safe.