Offsite Storage

Offsite Storage Offsite storage refers to a location away from the computer center where paper
copies and backup media are kept. Offsite storage can involve something as simple as keeping a
copy of backup media at a remote office, or it can be as complicated as a nuclear-hardened high-
security storage facility. The storage facility should be bonded, insured, and inspected on a regular
basis to ensure that all storage procedures are being followed.
Determining which storage mechanism to use should be based on the needs of the organiza-
tion, the availability of storage facilities, and the budget available. Most offsite storage facilities
charge based on the amount of space you require and the frequency of access you need to the
stored information.
Crafting a Disaster Recovery Plan
A disaster recovery plan helps an organization respond effectively when a disaster occurs. Disas-
ters may include system failure, network failure, infrastructure failure, and natural disaster. The
primary emphasis of this plan is the reestablishment of services and the minimization of losses.
In a smaller organization, a disaster recovery plan may be relatively simple and straightfor-
ward. In a larger organization, http://wedrfgtqqq.blackapplehost.com/ it may involve multiple facilities, corporate strategic plans, and
entire departments. In either case, the purpose is to develop the means and methods to restore
services as quickly as possible and to protect the organization from unacceptable losses in the
event of a disaster.
A major component of a disaster recovery plan involves the access and storage of information.
Your backup plan for data is an integral part of this process. The following sections address
backup plan issues and backup types. They also discuss developing a backup plan, recovering a
system, and using alternative sites. These are key components of a disaster recovery plan: They
form the heart of how an organization will respond when a critical failure or disaster occurs.
Backup Plan Issues
When an organization develops a backup plan, it must be clear about the value of the informa-
tion in the organization. A backup plan identifies which information is to be stored, how it will
be stored, and for what duration it will be stored. To do this, you must look at the relative value
of the information you retain. To some extent, the types of systems you use and the applications
you support dictate the structure of your plan.
Let’s look at those different systems and applications:
Database Systems Most modern database systems (such as Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server)
provide the ability to globally back up data or certain sections of the database without difficulty.
Larger-scale database systems also provide transaction auditing and data-recovery capabilities.