Earlier this month, we examined “Backup Mistakes” that could cause business failure or, at the very least, a loss of revenue. This week, we are examining what data loss is and what events are at the root cause of this phenomenon.
Data loss is the intentional or unintentional loss of information caused by people within an organization or forces from outside. It can happen in an instant, by a few keystrokes, that will haunt you for days or even weeks. In some cases, it may even cause a business to fail.
Data loss causes vary by industry and field of work but there are some common elements that cross all boundaries. Here are a few of the most common ways that data is lost.
Human Error
Even in this tech savvy world that we live in, human error is the most common cause of data loss. It usually happens in one of two ways: either an employee clicks something they shouldn’t, such as a delete or reformat button, or s/he drops a piece of hardware that causes damage. Both events could cause some serious problems. The best solution is to train your employees well so they understand what clicking something can do and encourage employees not to travel without protective coverage on devices.
Hardware Failure
Another top cause of data loss is hardware failure. Tech experts estimate that more than two-fifths of users lose data because of hardware or system malfunctions. Yikes! Two methods to avert data loss due to hardware failure are to find a safe, dust-free, dry, low-traffic, and temperature controlled place for your hardware. In addition, check the power supply and power protections that could cause a surge and fry your hardware.
Software Issues
It’s probably happened to all of us at some point – our software programs shut down without notice. While it may be benign enough, corruption of software may actually cause your data to be lost. This is especially true if you have not saved or documented what you were working on during the failure. We recommend following safe shutdown procedures and saving data periodically as you work.
Malicious Viruses and Malware
Unfortunately, we live in a world where hackers and cyber criminals exploit even the slightest of vulnerabilities and find their way into our data. Be sure to have the latest updates on your computer and never delay installing patches for security issues.
Do you need help navigating backup plans and avoiding data loss? Call M&H Consulting for more information at 1-866-964-8324, or visit our website.
Categorised in: data breach, data management, Data Retention, IT Consulting Services, Security