Storage of Data

It is always advisable to be careful with the storage of one's data. If one happens to lose data which has been collected with great pain and endeavour, spread over sizable time span, then it may not be possible to calculate the loss in monetary terms.

It does not involve very complicated or technical procedures to safeguard the data. Simple common sense precautions can do the trick. All that one has to do is to remember some simple points while storing one's data and the individual can be saved the pain involved in a data loss event.

Some of these points are:

Computer storage: One must never store his or her files in the C drive of the computer. This is because the C drive is used by the operating system of the computer. Most of the word processors save the files in the folder of my documents, in C drive. Unfortunately this is one place where the files must not be stored. This is because it does not matter whether one faces a virus attack on the computer or some other problem in relation to the software, the C drive will be automatically affected.

In such a scenario there is only one solution and that is to reformat the concerned drive. After reformatting the drive, the operating system has to be reinstalled. This, in other simpler terms, will mean that one will lose everything on the C drive.

Data Back Up: This is another very simple procedure to follow. However it can save a person all the pain that is involved in the possibility of losing data.

In order to save the troubles arising out of a data loss event, companies form special units which are physically away from the main operating units as a part and parcel of their contingency planning.

However operating such specialised unit's, means having to employ proper staff, this will also construe to mean security staff. Such set ups generally have special power back up facilities and cooling systems etc. to safeguard the machinery.

Even medium scale companies cannot afford such facilities to safeguard their data. These companies have another cheaper option. That is the data storage centres. These centres provide their services at suitable rates to their clients.

However the common man does not have even this option. Nevertheless he has other avenues for storing and safeguarding his important data. There are several data storage devices which are available in the open market. Some of them are:

External hard disk drive

Floppy disks

Tape drives

Compact disks

Digital versatile disks

Universal serial bus flash drives

Anti Virus: Installing a good and strong anti virus system can also help avoid the files and programmes from getting destroyed or infected by various viruses that threaten computer systems across the world. These viruses generally come as innocuous attachments to the sundry emails.

One must not open any attachment which has come from an unknown source. Generally all the major email service providers have software which can detect a computer virus and warn its users of the dangers involved in the opening of such attachments.

Unfortunately ever new versions of computer viruses and Trojans are coming to the fore. These may not always be detected by the software and ultimately one has to install his or her own firewalls and anti virus software.

Copies: One can also take the simple step of making multiple copies of important files and programmes and store them at different places on the computer system. If this is done then in the event of a file or programme getting corrupted one can have the copies to fall back upon.

Print out: Taking a print out of all data may not seem a feasible option. First of all the print outs add to the cost and secondly they too have to be safely secured. Nevertheless taking a print out of important data may prove very valuable in the event of data loss.