I'd also add that you need to work with your organization's legal counsel to determine how long you should be retaining data. There is significant liability opportunity in either direction for not getting this right.
That aside, this seems like a process problem not a technical problem. Throwing more tools, complexity, layers, etc., isn't likely to really prevent a future mishap so much as implementing a process that ensures that all the correct data is being backed up at the correct times and successfully. Thanks, Brian Desmond [email protected] w - 312.625.1438 | c - 312.731.3132 From: Andrew S. Baker [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 5:04 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: Some Backup Advice Needed Frankly, while it is good to have as many backups as possible for a given scenario, having to manage 4+ backup applications seems like a lot of overhead. I'd argue that with too many ways to backup, it is easy to miss the fact that something is not being backed up at all. What you might want to consider, rather than looking for a tool, is to identify the types of backups you want to have for different classes of systems, and the associated retention for those systems. Then, once you have that all mapped out so that it covers that potential failure points that the business needs to address, then you should look at which combination of tools and products will cover your bases for you. UltraBac and Microsoft DPM are very good products that might actually address some aspect of your strategy, but I'd start with an complete outline of the desired strategy which addresses known/anticipated problems, then go from there. ASB http://XeeMe.com/AndrewBaker Harnessing the Advantages of Technology for the SMB market... On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 4:02 PM, James Kerr <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: The data loss occurred in a VM. The first problem occurred when the VM was reverted back to a much earlier (human error). The second problem was that the VM was not being backed up at all. We are not sure if it was ever working from the get go or if backup exec just decided not to back it up anymore, our backups only go back 1 month at the moment but we are going to start adding monthly backups also. The other issue is not having a scheduled time in which to check our backups in detail to determine if they are backing up everything they are expected to backup and being overwhelmed with work and not taking the time to do so. We need to come up with a procedure for making sure things are getting backed up, an ability to test our backups with restores on a recurring basis. We also need to reach out to management about the volume of work and their expectations from our IT team. I would also like to add additional layers to our backup stratagy to try to mitigate a problem in one layer caused by either computer or human error so we have other options available to us in case something like this happens again in the future. On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 3:21 PM, Andrew S. Baker <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: The question I would have before looking at what to add/replace, is "What failed in the current backup process, and why?" This is the best (or, at least, the preferred) starting point for determining what new/better solution to implement and what old solution to augment or retire. ASB http://XeeMe.com/AndrewBaker Harnessing the Advantages of Technology for the SMB market... On Tue, Jan 17, 2012 at 3:17 PM, James Kerr <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Hello all, In light of a recent issue in which we had some data loss at %dayjob% and a very expensive and ongoing recovery effort, I need to add more layers to our DR policies and procedures going forward. Due the data loss and its affect, I will have more backing ($) to get something more robust implemented. Currently we backup everything to tape with Backup Exec and we backup some data to disk based storage on a storage server for added redundancy and speedy file restores. We backup our SQL databases by having SQL's backup function create backup files to a folder and those files are backed up to tape also. I would like to add online backup to the mix as well and I was wondering what peoples thoughts and recommendations were on that keeping in mind that our data contains personal health information so it needs to be HIPAA compliant. We currently use SyncBack Pro to copy data from a remote office to a server at our main office where it is backed up to tape. I would like something a little more enterprise and idealy something that synchronizes real time. We used to use Replication Exec for this but it is no longer available and hasn't been for some time. I was also thinking about image based backups. Some of the functions of Ultrabac look enticing. Anybody using that? We are backing up files, SQL databases, Hyper-v VMs and an Exchange server. I was also thinking about proceedures where by we check at a regularly scheduled intervals to make sure our backups are actually backing up correctly other then recieving an email saying it was successful. We currently do this but it's on an adhoc basis, when we have time sort of thing. We also need the ability to actually test our backups from time to time and an environment with which to do this and I would love to hear some feedback regarding this, well all of this. It's been a trying couple of weeks and the last 6 months or so have been very hectic which is partially resonsible for the loss we have experienced. I really appreciate anyone who chimes in with some thoughts, or criticisms for that matter. James ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
