Data Loss Disasters Come in Many Forms

If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that we don’t have everything figured out. Not only are we vulnerable as people, but so are the systems, processes, and devices we rely on. Natural and human-made disasters along with unexpected incidents can still cause major damage and bring business operations to a halt. Some of these incidents lead to data loss disasters.

Now is the time for companies of all sizes to take steps to ensure business continuity and disaster resilience. In today’s digital world, backup and disaster recovery (BCDR) should be a top priority. The consequences of even one data loss event can be devastating.

Imagine you are a healthcare provider and lose all patient records because a fire destroyed your on premises backup. An incident like that could cause irreparable harm to your business.

In this post, we’ll break down the different types of data loss disasters, how to prepare for them, and how to leverage BCDR to meet regulatory compliance.

The Many Forms Data Loss Can Take

Data loss disasters come in many forms from natural events to cybercrime. Here’s a look at the most common sources and how you can plan for them:

Natural Data Loss Disasters

Storms, hurricanes, floods, fires, tsunamis, and even volcanic eruptions can all trigger infrastructure damage, power failures, and mechanical breakdowns leading to data loss.

Hardware and Software Failures

Without BCDR in place, both hardware and software malfunctions can wipe out your data. These can happen due to bugs, glitches, outdated software, configuration errors, component failures, or devices reaching their end of life.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Sometimes, random accidents lead to data loss. For example, a portable drive could be stolen, a water leak might flood your server room, or pests could damage your data centre.

Human Error

According to Aberdeen Research, everyday human mistakes account for almost 64% of data loss incidents. These can include accidental file deletions, overwriting files, poor naming practices, forgetting to back up, or spilling liquid on a storage device.

Cyberthreats

Businesses face threats from malware, ransomware, and viruses, which can corrupt data and backups. Malicious insiders with unauthorized access are also a risk, and studies show employees are involved in up to 23% of all electronic crime incidents.

How to Plan and Prepare for Data Loss Disasters

Data loss can strike in many ways. Being proactive is essential don’t wait until disaster hits. Here are key steps to get started:

• Perform a business impact analysis and develop a recovery plan for key functions.

• Define your Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO).

• Create a business continuity team to lead during a disaster.

• Train staff on backup management and data recovery procedures.

• Back up critical data off-site and in the cloud.

• Conduct threat analysis and establish response steps for each scenario.

• Run regular security audits and disaster recovery drills.

• Keep your disaster plan current, and make sure everyone knows their responsibilities.

• Store banking information securely for quick access if needed.

• Invest in a reliable backup and disaster recovery solution that’s secure, frictionless, offers SaaS backup, and doesn’t require extra hardware or bandwidth.

• Use remote monitoring tools.

• Install waterless fire suppression, moisture sensors, surge protectors, and backup batteries.

Leveraging BCDR for Compliance

Preventing data loss is not the only benefit of a solid BCDR strategy. A robust solution with monitoring, advanced threat detection, immutable audit logs, strong access controls, data retention policies, and infrastructure safeguards will also help you meet your regulatory obligations with ease.

Data loss disasters are inevitable, but their impact doesn’t have to be. By making BCDR a core part of your business continuity plan, you can protect your company from the worst outcomes. Not sure where to start?

We can help. Contact us today to build a reliable disaster recovery plan.

Remember: everyday human errors account for up to 64% of data loss incidents. Even simple mistakes, like deleting the wrong file or failing to back up data, can have lasting effects. Be proactive and prepared.