Backup & Recovery
What is backup?
Backup refers to the process of creating a duplicate copy of data or files that can be used to restore the original in the event of loss or corruption. Backups can be made for many different purposes, including preventing inadvertent deletion, system failure, theft, and natural calamities like fires or floods. There are different types of backups that can be created, including full backups, incremental backups, and differential backups. Backups can be automated with backup software or carried out manually. They can be saved on a number of media, including external hard drives, tapes, or cloud storage. The ability to restore lost or damaged data and recover from disasters is why regular backups are a crucial component of data management and disaster recovery planning.
What is recovery?
Recovery typically refers to the process of restoring a system or data to a previous state after a failure or error. This could involve restoring data from a backup, repairing or replacing hardware components, or other corrective actions to resolve the issue and return the system to normal operation. Recovery can be a critical aspect of ensuring the availability and reliability of computer systems, especially in enterprise or mission-critical environments. Recovery processes can be automated or require manual intervention, depending on the specific system and the nature of the failure.
What is data backup and recovery?
In the event that the original data is lost or corrupted for any reason—hardware failure, human error, cyberattacks, natural catastrophes, etc.—data backup and recovery refers to the process of making and keeping backup copies of electronic information and recovering them.
Data backup is transferring and storing data from a primary source to a secondary source, which can be on-premises or offsite, to assure its availability and accessibility when needed. There are several forms of data backup, including complete backup, incremental backup, differential backup, and continuous backup, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
In contrast, data recovery is the act of retrieving lost or damaged data from a backup source. Depending on the severity of the damage, it entails recovering the data from the backup source and transferring it back to the original place or a new site.
Businesses must have a solid data backup and recovery plan in place to maintain company continuity and limit the effect of data loss. It is critical to evaluate backup and recovery processes on a regular basis to ensure they are effective and efficient.
How does backup and recovery work?
The backup and recovery process typically involves the following steps:
Planning and preparation: The first step is to determine which data needs to be backed up, how often it needs to be backed up, and where it should be stored. This requires creating a comprehensive backup plan that includes identifying critical data, selecting appropriate backup types, and establishing backup schedules.
Data backup: The backup process must be executed once the backup strategy is in place. This involves creating a duplicate of the data and storing it on a different storage device or media, such as disks, tapes, or cloud-based storage.
Data recovery: When data is lost, the recovery process begins. Generally, this involves identifying the cause of the problem, selecting the appropriate backup, and restoring the lost data. Depending on the extent of the damage, this may require transferring the backup data back to its original location or to a new one.
Testing and verification: It is essential to regularly test and verify backup and recovery procedures to ensure they are effective and efficient. This includes verifying that the backup data is accurate and complete and that the recovery process works correctly.
Why are backup and recovery important?
Backup and recovery are critical components of any organization's data management strategy. Here are a few reasons why backup and recovery are essential:
Data loss can occur due to various reasons such as hardware failure, cyber-attacks, natural disasters, or human error. By implementing a backup and recovery plan, organizations can minimize the risk of data loss and ensure that they can recover their data in the event of an outage.
Data loss can significantly impact business operations, leading to downtime, lost revenue, and reputational damage. By having a reliable backup and recovery plan in place, organizations can ensure business continuity and minimize the impact of any disruptions.
Many organizations are required to comply with data protection and retention regulations such as HIPAA, GDPR, or Sarbanes-Oxley. By implementing a backup and recovery plan, organizations can ensure that they meet these regulatory requirements and avoid potential fines and legal action.
A backup and recovery plan keeps critical data safe and it can be quickly restored in case of a disaster. This reduces stress and allows organizations to focus on their core business operations.
In summary, organizations should develop and implement a comprehensive backup and recovery plan that is regularly tested and updated to meet evolving business needs and data protection regulations.
HPE and Backup and Recovery
HPE has a range of products and solutions for Backup and Recovery that are designed to meet the needs of enterprises. HPE GreenLake for Backup and Recovery is a cloud-based service that provides flexible and scalable data protection. It allows organizations to securely back up their data to the cloud and recover it quickly in the event of a disaster or data loss event.
HPE GreenLake for Disaster Recovery provides disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS), allowing organizations to quickly recover their critical IT systems and data in the event of a disaster. It provides on-demand resources that can be easily scaled to meet changing business needs, ensuring that businesses can recover from disruptions and continue to operate.
Following a disruptive incident to an enterprise’s IT infrastructure, HPE Managed IT Compliance can identify and fix security gaps in order to help prevent future data loss or disaster. It also provides proactive compliance monitoring across one’s entire enterprise regarding the regulatory landscape as well as access to a compliance expert, all delivered as a managed service.
Additionally, HPE Managed Security can ensure an organization meets the right security standards along with monitoring for vulnerabilities and securing platform configurations.