In the highly computerised world where we work, data is not only valuable, but it is volatile too. These two inherent characteristics of data make its protection a necessity. Almost all computer users make exact copies of the important data their computer holds. This process is called as creation of data back up. Its main advantage is that it entails unhindered business continuity even if data happens to get lost by circumstances beyond our control. Data backup allows retrieval of either the entire data or just a few needed files.

Creating a backup for data is not as simple as it sounds. The true magnitude of the job would be revealed once you begin creating the backup. The entire operation must be well planned. Proper planning comprises of charting out a routine for both the short term and long term jobs.

Next, you have to identify the important data that necessitates protection via a backup. You might find this very first step difficult (like many other computer users.) Irreplaceable data generated by the computer user is important. All such data necessitates a backup protection. For example if you are planning to create a backup for your home pc the vital data would comprise of financial statements, tax details, important email, photographs, music and games downloaded, etc. For business enterprises crucial information ranges from accounting files to important emails containing client orders and delivery details of the purchases made.

Place the entire important data in a single drive. This speeds up the backup process.

Selection becomes a difficult, when it calls for a choice from a wide array of storage devices. Plenty of backup storage devices are available in the market.

The backup devices initially in use were the floppies. However, these have now turned obsolete for their low storage capacity. You can at best use them if you have to transport data.

CDs are being popularly preferred for their high storage capacity and faster data transfer rates. It takes just a few minutes to transfer 800MB of data into a CD. Its high storage capacity makes it possible to place all the data in few devices making it easier for you to store it too. CDs are highly portable, and this allows the advantage of offsite placement of the device. If you are planning to regularly update and store data of about 500 MB use a CD.

External hard drives are also an ideal storage media for they are easy to use and their failure rate is much lower than the CDs. This is the right backup storage device if you have a large data to store.

A tape drive (that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape) is also an ideal data storage media. It has a comparatively lower per unit cost of data storage and enables long archival life.

Your choice of the backup media should be based on the following considerations.

Once you make a selection of the appropriate data storage device, it is vital that the process takes place regularly. Maintain a strict backup schedule depending upon the amount and importance of data generated. You should also well catalogue the backup media tat contains your data. Absence of a catalogue could also mean the loss of data for identifying data from the many storage devices is an extremely difficult job.

Whenever you plan to create a backup for your data remember that backups are effective only if you keep them regularly updated. However, making a back up for your data is not as simple as it appears. Many obstacles present themselves in the form of unavailability of skilled man power, time shortage, etc.

An ideal backup takes place during non busy business hours, of the encrypted and compressed data. Effective backup also entails easy data availability and restoration. Backup media should always be placed offsite for proper protection.