Backing up your data is a job for in-house or outsourced IT services team in Los Angeles. IT experts can help you plan backup systems, which can be tricky if you’re not looking ahead and forecasting storage space requirements. The more you backup data, the more storage space you consume. Here’s how IT technicians can make backups more efficient through a policy-based storage system:
Planning for Data Growth
Over time, storage systems, such as network-attached storage on LAN servers, can be flooded with redundant and outdated files. As stored files increase in the age of big data, so must storage space. Some companies tackle this problem the hard way, manually deleting unnecessary files one at a time. Other companies prefer a combination of incremental and full system backups. A more efficient and practical solution to this growing problem is developing a data retention policy.
The more you use the incremental process, the more time it takes to double-check for errors. Full backups are more reliable if you need to access specific data quickly. The incremental approach is useful for quickly making copies, but it can create inconsistencies in your overall storage in terms of the age of backups. If you don’t set a clear policy for backing up data, your storage system can become complex, confusing, and cluttered.
Prioritizing Data
An essential part of a data retention policy, in which IT services in Los Angeles can be a big help, is separating critical data from less-used data. By dividing data into two groups, you can keep critical data available for on-demand use, while less-critical data can be archived on more affordable storage media. This planning will save you time and money in the long run.
Certain businesses, such as in the healthcare, financial and legal fields, have no choice but to save volumes of data due to compliance with government regulations. Businesses not bound by these restraints can be more flexible in deciding what data should be discarded. In bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments, you may find it necessary to wipe certain data from employees’ personal devices, especially when they leave your company.
Defining Your Data Retention Policy
Automation software is the foundation of a strong data retention system. By tagging each object with comprehensive metadata, you can pre-define the rules for automatic data storage and encryption. You can use this system to schedule either backups or disposal of files. The main concerns for establishing a data retention policy are:
- Reviewing and organizing data
- Evaluating what files should stay or go
- Formatting data
- Deciding on storage systems
- Determining how long data should be stored
Businesses that use data retention policies tend to customize these solutions based on specific company needs, as well as meeting government requirements. Once the policy is put in place, it’s still important to periodically test data to make sure files haven’t been corrupted, misplaced or overwritten.
Big data is leading to big storage. The more complex it gets, the more an experienced IT services provider in Los Angeles can help you protect your digital assets. Contact us now at Intelecis to learn more about developing your own data retention policy.
