Imagine losing every piece of data stored on the phone or laptop that you're using right now. It sounds like a nightmare, right?
Data loss is a serious threat, and even more so when it comes to business. And, if you aren't prepared, you'll never see it coming.
The first step to protecting your business is understanding the risks you face. Keep reading to learn about the top causes of data loss and how you can prevent them.
When it comes to protecting your data, you should expect the unexpected. These might be the top causes of loss, but anything can happen!
Believe it or not, hardware and system malfunctions, usually involving the hard drive, are the most common cause of data loss.
A crashed hard drive can be the result of misuse, rough handling, overheating, and dust exposure. And, it usually comes with a significant loss of data.
While you may be able to recover some lost data from a damaged hard drive, you'll likely need professional help. And, in the case of total drive corruption, you could lose everything.
Regular backups are the only real solution in the case of a significant hardware malfunction. A saved version of your data held in safe storage could very well save the day if your local hard drive is a total loss.
When it comes to human errors and data loss, it all starts with "oops." The two most common mistakes caused by users are accidental deletion and physical damage.
One of the best solutions to accidental deletion in your business computer system is using a managed IT service plan. These monthly services employ professional technicians to protect, store, and backup your most valuable data.
Unfortunately, physical damage is much more challenging to prevent. All digital devices should be properly stored when not in use, regularly maintained, and kept far away from food and drinks.
Power outages can seriously interrupt your business operations, crashing software systems without warning. This sudden event can result in the loss of unsaved data and corrupt existing files due to improper shutdown procedures.
In some cases, entire systems may cease to function. And, under extreme circumstances, a computer that shuts down while it's writing to the hard drive may never start back up.
Even if you don't lose data during a power outage, improper shutdowns can take a toll on your computer's hard drive, shortening its lifespan and causing more frequent crashes.
Business continuity services, otherwise known as professional backups, are the best way to protect against these problems. If you're protected, you'll be able to carry on with business as usual, even during a catastrophic loss of data.
Cybercrime includes virus attacks, hackers, and insiders breaking, invading and possibly exploiting your data.
Unauthorized access to your network can cause extreme data loss, allowing invaders to delete and steal whatever they want. And, if left unchecked, all viruses cause severe destruction of computer data.
Preventing these crimes and minimizing the potential for such losses is easy. Use firewalls and anti-virus protection, plus the best computing practices to keep intruders out.
Thankfully, these are among the less common causes of data loss. But, their results are often extreme.
A stolen or destroyed computer can create an instant and total loss of data if you aren't backing everything up in a remote location. Because catastrophic events like natural disasters and looting can be widespread, cloud storage is your safest option.
All company electronics should be appropriately stored and carried with care when outside the office, to prevent theft. A security system or surveillance can assist with in-office data security.
If your workplace isn't using any security measures currently, you should work with an IT firm to upgrade. The added defense is an easy way to protect your business assets.
Now that you know about the most common forms of data loss protecting your business should be a breeze.
Consulting with a team of IT professionals is the best way to select and implement a protection plan for your business. And, it's the next step toward the peace of mind that comes with total data protection.
Get in touch with us to schedule a system assessment and start protecting your valuable data as soon as possible.
