For companies, the backup routine is fundamental to data protection. However, the most important and often overlooked point is the restoration of this information. Well, the main purpose of backup is to safeguard the information and be able to use it again.
Especially, through unforeseen events, server failure, and cybercriminal attacks. Even in some natural events that could damage the physical storage structure.
Because of this, data restoration is a fundamental part of the operation of the backup system, being crucial for the use of recovered files and, thus, ensuring the continuity of that company’s business. So, we have prepared this post in which we delve into the topic and help you to carry out this verification. Follow up!
The concept of data restoration
The backup routine consists of two very important steps. The first is when data is selectively copied and then stored in a secure space. The second moment happens when it is necessary to return this data to its source device or any other. That is, while the first stage stores and protects, the second stage retrieves and transfers.
Restore is the action of recovering the data stored on a given device during the backup routine, ensuring that all recorded information is intact. Many IT service providers sell the backup only as a backup but are not prepared to restore this data if requested by the customer.
As you can imagine, this is a big problem as it tends to lead to a very negative experience for the consumer. This is because, in general, the customer expects that their data is not only safe and ideally stored, but, above all, that it is accessible at the moment of emergency, ensuring the recovery of the business in a very short time and, with that, minimizing losses.
The moment when restoration matters most
First of all, it is important to realize that the relationship between the backup routine and the restore is intrinsic. Because of this, the only way to guarantee that the data will be restored is through backup copies. However, that alone is not enough!
Imagine the following scenario: you provide a backup solution to a customer who sells tickets on the web and at one point their server crashes. Immediately, he performs the hiring of a new cloud server, as it is necessary to get the ticket system up and running again.
When he asks you about the backup, you respond by saying that the copies will take more than a day to restore or, in the worst-case scenario, that they are corrupted and unusable. In this case, you have no alternative to the customer other than to think badly about your service, as you will be causing damage in any of the scenarios, either due to the delay or the inability to recover your files.
A situation like this can generate a huge loss and possibly lead to the closing of the client’s company. Not to mention that the service provider will have its reputation tarnished and will probably suffer from the counter-propaganda generated by the dissatisfied customer, who can use Google and Facebook reviews to expose this situation.
Because of this, data restoration is crucial in any IT strategy and you cannot sell a backup service in which data restoration is not efficient, as it cannot be used properly when needed.
The way to implement backup and restore
A common mistake among service providers is the concept that routine backup and data restoration can be achieved through a product, a tool, or even a technology.
However, for the created copies to be efficient and to be able to be restored in a timely manner, it is necessary to invest in processes, constantly monitor routines, manage backup copies, and collect information for analysis.
So, it is necessary to develop expertise in the entire backup routine and the points that form it, in order to guarantee that the end customer can have access to their backup copies with the quality they need. IT service providers must understand that routine data backup and restoration is much more than just making a copy of the information.
It is necessary to interpret the routine as complete management of the entire process, with various verifications and validations, in addition to frequent restoration tests. For example, you need to ensure that significant changes are stored in copies. However, at the same time, care must be taken with what is saved so as not to compromise the backup with irrelevant information.
How to ensure that backup and restore are performed correctly
The keyword here is monitoring. Not only do you need to keep a constant eye on backup routines, but also perform periodic tests to ensure system efficiency.
At the end of the day, only with close and detailed monitoring will you be able to achieve excellence in managing your customers’ data.
As an example, we can return to the ticketing system scenario. In the situation where the service provider had performed some restore test, he could have found that the time required for the restore would be too long. Aware of this information, the analyst could devise strategies to circumvent this vulnerability, without letting the problem occur suddenly.
In this case, alternatives could be created to optimize routines and ensure the continuity of the client’s operation without major problems. This could be achieved by creating lean backups and, with the minimum necessary for the system to function, virtual machines that can be used as support, among other solutions.
In a way, technology is a crucial part of the success of customer services, both in software and hardware solutions. Despite this, it alone is not enough to guarantee security and agility when retrieving and handling this data. It is at this moment that both you and your team need to take action, applying strategy and planning to avoid scenarios of slowness or total loss to the customer.
Defining a backup routine
Some points must be taken into account when defining the ideal backup routine for your client. Not all companies will be able to use the same models, as each one of them has different demands. Therefore, check below the most relevant points in structuring a backup plan. Follow up!
Data volume
Here, there are no secrets. The time required to create and restore a backup is proportional to the amount of data worked on. After all, this is an issue limited to the operational and technical capacity of the devices and systems used, in which one must consider the displacement speed of HDDs, SSDs, download and upload speeds, and the like.
Be that as it may, knowing these specifications intimately is critical to recognizing working time, both to protect and to recover. Obviously, there are technological solutions such as True Delta — exclusive to N-able’s software — which is capable of updating backup copies whenever a file is changed.
With this, the company will always have the most recent restore point possible, as the system will be constantly updating the backup copy. In addition, the elegance of this function lies in the low consumption of processing and network, because as it updates files individually as they are changed, it ends up not requiring a lot of computational resources for the task. Maximum security, maximum efficiency.
Relevance of data
Each and every interaction generates data, but not all changes are relevant to the continuity of your customers’ operations. In this case, it is interesting to segment which is the most important entries in the machines and servers.
As a result, you ensure greater selectivity of files that are constantly updated and refine your periodic backup strategy, performing full backups at longer intervals and allowing crucial files to be frequently renewed on top of the backup. Once again, we hit the key of True Delta technology, which makes it all look like magic with the use of N-able RMM.
Data security
There is a very interesting theoretical concept about structuring a company’s backup. Basically, it is recommended to make the backup available through the 3-2-1 Rule:
- There are 3 backups;
- Distributed to at least 2 different storage types;
- And with 1 of them outside the company’s perimeter.
It’s easy to understand the logic of this concept, because at first, it recommends a basic precautionary routine, with plans A, B, and C — the three backups. Then, the rule suggests a new layer of precaution, recommending storage in 2 different formats, which can switch between physical media (HDs and SSDs) or virtual, in cloud services.
Finally, the concept also considers natural or eventual catastrophes that may make physical storage vulnerable to fire, floods, power outages, or the like, recommending that one of the copies be left outside the company. As you can see, the rule bets on simplicity and achieves efficiency.
It is even worth mentioning here that ADDEE provides technology for data backup and restoration with all the necessary security and integrated monitoring, allowing it to deliver the best service to its customers and enabling them to use the best technical practices.
Did you like this article clarifying the importance of data restoration to companies? So don’t miss the chance to offer the best services to your customers! Contact us right now and see what our consultants can do to improve your company’s IT services!
