Performing regularly scheduled backups provides insurance against loss of your computer information due to hardware failure, fire, electrical failure, user errors, theft or any other acts of God (tornado, hurricane, flood, lightening, etc.).
If loss or damage occurs, you can restore the copy of information on tape, back onto your computer system. Consequently, if you don’t perform regularly scheduled backups, you risk having to re-key an extensive amount of information.
PLEASE BACKUP YOUR SYSTEM DAILY.
As soon as your system is installed, establish a backup procedure. Discuss the procedure with your local FACTS office to make sure the procedure is satisfactory.
Make sure the procedures are in place before anyone begins entering data so that you can backup additions and changes made to any data files.
Your computer system stores different types of information. Depending on the type of computer system installed, you will have an operating system, a language, application programs, data, and other miscellaneous software installed (i.e. Third Party Products, word processing software and documents, spreadsheets, etc.)
Make sure you backup the following types of information:
Remember restoring any backed up files only returns your system to the state it was in when the backup was made.
The following table illustrates our recommendation for backup frequency:
* See sample calendar for backup media rotation schedule
Note: The above recommendations pertain to FACTS backups. If you have other third party programs that work with FACTS, or other productivity programs such as word processing or spreadsheet software, make sure you backup these programs and data as well.
Once you have planned the type and frequency of your backups, establish a schedule (day and time) for making backups and adhere to the schedule. Give your users advanced warning about the schedule so they can plan accordingly.
We recommend that all users sign off the system before backup begins. Try to perform backups first thing in the morning or at the end of the day.
Media rotation requires that you keep multiple sets of back up media and that you alternate their use at regular intervals. If you encounter a problem with a your back up media, do not re-use.
The schedule below illustrates a recommended backup schedule with tape, external drive, server folder rotation for a business with a five-day work week.
Caution: Separate your back up media according to backup type. DO NOT MIX BACKUP TYPES ON THE SAME TAPE or FOLDER!!
