How can you best store and backup your data?

I know with me, all my stuff is in the cloud in some way shape or form. However, if that was not possible, I would use DVDRW's to backup my hard drive.

Backup should be always made on-premise AND cloud solutions, if we agree that no method is 100% safe, this is the best solution, you can buy a third-party cloud service and also make a local backup on another physical server (if you can do it in another physical location (room or building), even better

in my opinion, choosing the right storage is like choosing the right method for quick treatment of incurable diseases. There is not any perfect and fixed methods about this issue. In fact, you should use a hybrid of methods for proper, and complete storage .Basically, the best way to store information is to store it in at least three different places. The use of SAS storage devices or the use of RAID technology in SAN and NAS storages, even burning DVDs are efficient for storing information of small size. In addition, cloud computing will be a modern, secure and low-cost solution undoubtedly. A few years ago I wrote a manuscript on the rise and Appearance of cloud computing, which I will share it as soon as possible and at right time.

With my experience in managing IT departments for a number of companies, I will infer that the best way to store and backup data is by using cloud. There are other ways and methods which one can also adopt to double as another layer for data safety and security. Lets consider the following methods and see how we can integrate them as hybrid solution for data security: For effective data storage and backup, store your data on the cloud. with this, easy retrieval is assured from any device anywhere in the world provided you have internet access. your data can be stored for a period of time as you desire. You can also duplicate those data on External Hard drive somewhere for high availability in the event of internet downtime.

This process involves multiple strategies. 1, using a reliable cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox and so on, is essential as it offers data encryption and instantly backups online. 2, invest in an on-site physical backup system like external HDDs, SSDs, or NAS. This provides extra security, and data can be accessed even without internet connectivity. Schedule automatic backups for both cloud and physical systems to keep all files up-to-date. Use RAID systems for redundancy. For security, consider vendors that offers versioning. 3, use strong passwords and MFA for your storage accounts to enhance security. Backup plans should be tested regularly and modified as needed. Always encrypt sensitive data for robust security.

I know I am prone to forgetting important tasks, especially if they seem redundant. Automating your data back ups is essential to make sure your work is not lost. If you are operating inside of a MS 365 environment, leverage Windows OS integration with One Drive to set up automatic back up. I also recommend educating your users how to check if a file is backed up on the cloud. Showing your users how to navigate File Explorer and use the status icons can be helpful in giving them the peace of mind their data is safely backed up. Additionally, leveraging storage sense in Windows can be a great way to clear up space on your drive, preventing future head aches of "run out of space" errors.

The regularity of backup depends on the type of data you need to safe keep. In my hotel experiences, guest data and PCI information are always a priority, backup up hourly, while media server (which the company provided the files online) were the last on the priority being copied only once a month

While working on a project with continuous updates and frequent data changes, I set up a backup system that was manual. One day, in the hustle of the project, I forgot to perform the backup. As luck would have it, a data corruption issue occurred that day, leading to the loss of an entire week's work. Lesson: This experience drove home the necessity of automating backups, especially in environments where data is continuously changing. By using tools like Mac Time Machine or third-party software, I learned to schedule backups, minimizing the risk of human error and ensuring that data is always secure and up-to-date.

Setting up constant backup routines that are automated without interaction are the best strategies to go with. Cloud backups happen in real time. Image backups should snapshot periodically depending on size and scope of the data involved. Ensuring that your data is synchronized is essential; so do not rely on manual backup procedures. Setting up reminders and flags for systems that have been offline for inordinately long durations is also requisite to maintain cohesive backups.

Verifying and testing backups is crucial in ensuring that your data is safe in the event of a disaster. There are 3 widely accepted approaches to backup validation: the checksum method, the recovery test method, and the synthetic test method. The best approach depends on your specific needs and resources. The checksum method ensures that the archive file is consistent. The recovery test method involves restoring data from a backup to a test environment and verifying that it works as expected. The synthetic test method involves creating a synthetic environment that simulates a production environment and then testing backups in this environment. In conclusion, verifying and testing backups is an essential part of any backup strategy.

During a critical software development phase, I relied on daily backups. However, I failed to verify and test them regularly. One day, a major system failure occurred, and I needed to restore the data. To my horror, I discovered that a configuration error had rendered the backups unusable. Lesson: This incident taught me never to assume backups are error-free. Regularly verifying and testing backups is essential. Without this practice, you might discover, too late, that the safety net you believed was in place is not there when you need it.

Ensuring the data you're backing up is salient is critical. Hoping is not enough; and mock event catastrophes should be run to avoid being caught unaware of failure points. Checksums for data should be implemented, and also reintegration strategies of recovered data should be walked through. Every team has a part in a recovery effort from the Help Desk to DevOps Groups to Software Engineers to Site Reliability Engineers. If going through a fully thorough restoration trial; ensure you have a valued set of users or customers to assist in a mock catastrophe. This will also give them a sense of security if they can see how your recovery efforts work.

In my experience as a software developer, a client once lost crucial data due to an office break-in where physical backup drives were stolen. Though the data was backed up, it wasn't encrypted, leading to sensitive information leakage. Lesson: This incident reinforced the importance of encrypting backups and using multiple storage locations. It's vital to combine physical security (like a locked safe) with digital encryption, ensuring that even if physical backups are compromised, the data remains inaccessible.

Again, as stated above, FileVault, BitLocker, or Tomb are valid ways per each operating system to encrypt your local backups. Other services also offer enterprise grade encryption for more larger portions of data. Cloud backups are encrypted by default, but running through a strategy on how the encryption keys are maintained is essential. Keep in mind no data format lasts for eternity; refreshing vaulted backups every few years is critical to maintaining data saliency. This includes local backups most importantly.

Along with encryption, all and any server/media with sensitive information should have limited access online and physically, the server room should only be accessible by people who has crucial need to be there and not be used as a office (even by IT professionals) if avoidable.

As a software developer, updating and replacing storage devices is vital for maintaining workflow efficiency and data integrity. Regular upgrades, like larger HDDs or faster SSDs, accommodate growing datasets and enhance performance. Concurrently, replacing worn or outdated devices, by following proper guidelines, mitigates data loss risk. This ongoing cycle supports a resilient development environment, letting us focus on software creation without storage concerns.

Local backups and storage devices are often times the most prone to failure in a backup scenario. HDD's are cheaper than SSD's for backups, but these fail more often. SSD's fail less often and should be considered the top tier of storage in the year 2023 for local storage. Cloud storage is by far the best overall though in terms of reliability.

Optimizing storage and backup strategies is essential for ensuring that your data is safe and recoverable in the event of a disaster. There are many different types of backups, including full, differential, and incremental backups. To ensure that your backups are working correctly, there are three widely accepted approaches to backup validation: the checksum method, the recovery test method, and the synthetic test method. The best approach depends on your specific needs and resources. In addition to backups, you can optimize storage by using data deduplication, compression, and tiered storage. By optimizing storage and backup strategies, you can ensure that your data is secure and recoverable in the event of a disaster.

Consider 3-2-1 backup strategies for your data. 3 copies of your data, 2 of the data to be onsite with a different media, and 1 of the copies to be offsite. However, others new strategy is emerging, such as 3-2-1-1-0 and 4-3-2. Do study these and find the best for your backup circumstances.

Ensure the equipment you choose is up to the task. Many manufacturers make disks intended for NAS or backup use such as WS red and Seagate ironwolf.

The manner of backup will depend on the 'what' and by 'who'. An average user can simply copy system files to a portable hard drive and that'll suffice. A corporation night need a robust RAID or cluster solution with varying manners of backups and specific schedules for such; ie. full backup on one day with incremental or differential backups over the course of the week. Most companies will have this spelled out in their business continuity plans.