Backups, Disaster Recovery and Security
Each year we respond to several questions regarding one or more of the following topics from our users.
- Backup Plan
- Disaster Recovery Plan
- Computer Security Plan
An audit of some type at your organization is usually the initiator of these type question(s). We are happy to answer them. We understand that, for the most part, these topics are not part of your day to day operations. They are critical nonetheless. We at RDA take them very seriously.
As the Proverb explains, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken”. In this case, for any one plan to be strong, it will involve or include the other two.
Backups and Disaster Recovery are similar in principal yet very different in execution. Computer Security, in light of recent events with local governments (ransomware), has become even more important to you. What is important to you is important to us.
So that all may have a better understanding of the terms, below are wikipedia definitions for review. Parts of each definition do not apply to our applications. But they do give us common ground from which to have discussions.
Backups
In information technology, a backup, or data backup is a copy of computer data taken and stored elsewhere so that it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. The verb form, referring to the process of doing so, is “back up“, whereas the noun and adjective form is “backup“.[1] Backups can be used to recover data after its loss from data deletion or corruption, or to recover data from an earlier time.[2] Backups provide a simple form of disaster recovery; however not all backup systems are able to reconstitute a computer system or other complex configuration such as a computer cluster, active directory server, or database server.[3]
Disaster Recovery
Disaster Recovery involves a set of policies, tools and procedures to enable the recovery or continuation of vital technology infrastructure and systems following a natural or human-induced disaster. Disaster recovery focuses on the IT or technology systems supporting critical business functions,[1] as opposed to business continuity, which involves keeping all essential aspects of a business functioning despite significant disruptive events. Disaster recovery can therefore be considered as a subset of business continuity.[2][3]
Computer Security
Computer security, cybersecurity[1] or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems from the theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.
The field is becoming more important due to increased reliance on computer systems, the Internet[2] and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and due to the growth of “smart” devices, including smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the “Internet of things“. Owing to its complexity, both in terms of politics and technology, cybersecurity is also one of the major challenges in the contemporary world.[3]
One constant in our world is change. Technology for good is always getting better. Regretfully, the bad guys are always learning new techniques. As stewards, we want to be diligent in our approach to both.
Over the next few articles, I will dive deeper into these topics including options that might work best for your organization.
We are grateful that you have chosen RDA as your provider of ERP software and services.
