IF YOU THINK YOU CAN SIMPLY BACK UP YOUR DATA ON A STORAGE DEVICE AND BE DONE WITH IT…

YOU’RE WRONG.

YOU NEED TO STAY IN CONTROL

OF THE SECURITY, PRESERVATION, AND

ACCESSIBILITY OF YOUR FILES AND INFORMATION.

There’s so much to consider. In fact, we set out to make a Top 5 list, but there are too many crucial, yet oftentimes overlooked methods for improving the way you store data. We tried not to drown you with suggestions but were careful not to oversimplify.

DATA STORAGE MANAGEMENT CAN BE OVERWHELMING…

1. GET TO KNOW YOUR DATA

So, you’ve stored your data at a third-party facility. This does not mean that your organization is no longer responsible for that data or any risks associated with it. Becoming familiar with your data will help you determine an appropriate storage strategy and stay close to evolving needs.

Ask yourself: What level of security is necessary? How quickly do I need to be able to access this data? Does it require short-term or long-term storage?

2.DON’TDUPE!

Now that large data storage solutions are more affordable, companies are less likely to evaluate whether there are duplications in their stored data. Resist this temptation.

Remove redundant copies so that you only store unique information. And always be sure to keep the version from the most reliable source.

BE COMPLIANT.BE COMPLIANT.BE COMPLIANT.BE COMPLIANT.BE COMPLIANT.BE COMPLIANT.

3. BE COMPLIANT.

Can’t stress this one enough. Do not outsource data storage management to a provider that does not have the certifications (HIPAA, PCI, etc.) you need for your data to be secure and compliant. 

And don’t forget about data retention. Having a data retention plan is necessary for legal compliance, but it can also help with internal data workflow. The retention strategy you construct should reflect the fact that mandatory retention periods can range from days to years.

4. COMPRESSIONHEARD OF IT?Reformat data by coding more efficiently. The best compression systems come close to cutting data loads in half without distortion.

5. ANOTHER REASON FOR

HIGH-SPEED NETWORKING

High-bandwidth connections make the process of backing up data faster. Additionally, having a high-speed network improves restoration in times of crisis. When there’s an unanticipated shutdown, don’t you just want to get back online as quickly as possible?

6. CUSTOMIZATION IS YOUR FRIEND

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution for data storage. Make sure your managed services provider can tailor their offerings to fit your company’s specific IT infrastructure needs. Companies don’t all operate the same way, so it is important that the provider collaborates with you to craft a strategic plan that will suit your specifications.

7. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY…

You need to have a disaster recovery plan. Use multiple backup methods and test them frequently – not just once a month or once a year. Any important information should be stored in at least two different formats, one of which should be offsite.

8. CONSIDER VALUE ABOVE COST

Data storage is not a place to cut corners. You really do get what you pay for, so focus on value instead of trying to find the cheapest way to store your files and software.

If you’re on the hunt for a storage provider, you may want to make a list of your organization’s needs and ask potential partners if and how they can provide solutions to your unique situation.

Some clouds are ideal for archiving, while others can function as the backend for a primary data storage system. Do you have an enterprise, private, or recovery cloud? Is your cloud secure and compliant to appropriate regulations? Does your cloud guarantee that data will not be lost? Know the answers to these questions.

Don’t have a cloud to get familiar with? Look into whether going to the cloud can benefit your business.

9. GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR

CLOUD.

9. GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR

CLOUD.Some clouds are ideal for archiving, while others can function as the backend for a primary data storage system. Do you have an enterprise, private, or recovery cloud? Is your cloud secure and compliant to appropriate regulations? Does your cloud guarantee that data will not be lost? Know the answers to these questions.

Don’t have a cloud to get familiar with? Look into whether going to the cloud can benefit your business.

10. NOW WHEREDID I PUTTHAT?

Data storage is pointless when you have no idea how to retrieve the data. This should be a no-brainer, but it’s not. During a critical, emergency situation, could you find the information you need? How long would the search process take?

If you don’t care about these issues in regards to your data, then you should reflect on why you bothered to store it in the first place.

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