Tips

Tips

• Lessons in business continuity and disaster recovery planning

  When crafting a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, you have to anticipate the unexpected. Here is what we can learn about BC/DR from two high-profile disasters.  Continue Reading

• Converged backup and recovery strategies offer efficiency, reliability

  Are you confident in your backup and recovery strategy? Make sure you have locked down the speed, testing and security of both processes to recover data appropriately.  Continue Reading

• Cloud data recovery challenges and how to overcome them

  For an organization with a short recovery time objective, what makes a good cloud DR strategy? Availability, along with strong security, is a must-have.  Continue Reading

• A ransomware recovery plan for SMBs in five steps

  SMBs are especially at risk of cyberattacks. Follow these steps, and even with a limited budget and staff, you could successfully recover from ransomware.  Continue Reading

• Data analytics architecture must break down higher ed silos

  Siloed data isn't only a problem for businesses. It's also a big issue for many large universities -- one that their data infrastructures need to resolve for effective analytics.  Continue Reading

• Beat the challenges of predictive analytics in big data systems

  Big data and predictive analytics may seem synonymous, but understanding the constraints of each discipline is the key to extracting business value from projects that combine them.  Continue Reading

• Three ways to turn old files into Hadoop data sets in a data lake

  Hadoop data lakes offer a new home for legacy data that still has analytical value. But there are different ways to convert the data for use in Hadoop depending on your analytics needs.  Continue Reading

• How predictive analytics techniques and processes work

  Predictive analytics is no longer confined to highly skilled data scientists. But other users need to understand what it involves before they start building models.  Continue Reading

• GDPR data protection officer role and responsibilities

  The data protection officer, required for many organizations to be compliant with the EU's GDPR, will face challenges in the new role but could improve how data is handled.  Continue Reading

• Create your best GRC program with business continuity and DR

  Any governance, risk management and compliance program should work with an organization's business continuity process. There are challenges to consider, though.  Continue Reading

• Using virtualized disaster recovery to fight ransomware

  When it comes to fighting and protecting against ransomware, there are some major features of virtual disaster recovery that top physical environments.  Continue Reading

• Don't overlook these business resilience plan essentials

  Business resilience planning requires preventive and proactive protections across power supply, systems, cybersecurity and backup procedures. Staff planning is important as well.  Continue Reading

• Hiring vs. training data scientists: The case for each approach

  Hiring data scientists is easier said than done -- so should you try to train current employees in data science skills? That depends on your company's needs, writes one analytics expert.  Continue Reading

• Ten steps to start using predictive analytics algorithms effectively

  A successful predictive analytics program involves more than deploying software and running algorithms to analyze data. This set of steps can help you put a solid analytics foundation in place.  Continue Reading

• Before you back up to the cloud, ask these big questions

  These five questions for providers will get you off on the right foot to backing up data to the cloud. Some considerations, like cost, may seem easy, but that's not the case.  Continue Reading

• Protection against ransomware takes flight with canary files

  As ransomware attackers get smarter, it's important for data protection systems to step up their game. Canary files and infection detection are a good start.  Continue Reading

• Get smart with cloud backup security through 'CIA'

  Encryption is just one important element of backup data security in the cloud. Ask the right questions of your organization and your cloud provider to make sure your data is safe.  Continue Reading

• Veritas Backup Exec 16: Two major supporting features shine

  Dig deeper into Veritas Technologies' Backup Exec 16 software, which can protect the 2016 edition of Hyper-V and support several cloud storage architectures.  Continue Reading

• Options for scaling out SQL Server applications to boost workloads

  Scaling out a database to meet the needs of a heavy processing workload can be a challenge. Here are details on the SQL Server scalability methods available to ease the process.  Continue Reading

• Mobile device security management practices enhance data protection

  While mobile security is a challenge, file sync-and-share products and mobile device management software can help protect your organization's vulnerable data.  Continue Reading

• Five data migration approaches for cloud archiving

  Administrators can take several approaches to migrating data to a cloud archive, from manual migration to using cloud-integrated storage.  Continue Reading

• Use Microsoft Azure Key Vault to protect your data backups

  The Azure Key Vault can serve as data backup protection through its encryption key storage management. Explore how to set up the vault and administer it in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Risk assessment analysis and BIA data in BC plans

  Examine how BIA and RA data are used to formulate business continuity strategies. It's common to bypass these steps, but the data can result in more precise and focused BC plans.  Continue Reading

• A look at data backup techniques: Recovery-in-place

  Explore recovery-in-place technology to see if it is the right fit for your organization. But be aware that this data backup method requires some up-front planning.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure VM backup methods beyond Azure Backup vault

  You can back up an Azure VM using several different methods. Microsoft's preferred technique is to use Azure Backup vault, but this may not be the best choice in every situation.  Continue Reading

• Data protection methods: Mounting backups vs. recovering from backups

  Mounting a virtual machine image can save time, but there's a penalty to pay for the convenience. We list the questions to ask when deciding which data protection method to employ.  Continue Reading

• Docker data container protection methods: Pros and cons

  While Docker data container protection methods haven't reached the level found with hypervisor-based virtual machines, these four technologies can help users with the challenge.  Continue Reading

• Geocluster vs. off-site replication for VM protection

  Is a geocluster or virtual machine replication the best option for VM protection? Both approaches protect VM workloads by moving them to an alternate data center during a disaster.  Continue Reading

• Data backup and disaster recovery made simple

  Many backup products include DR, enabling users to manage both tasks from the same platform. Learn how to streamline data backup and disaster recovery.  Continue Reading

• Relational database design tips to boost performance

  As relational database management systems handle more and more data, a strategic approach to data modeling has become vital.  Continue Reading

• Use business continuity to boost your corporate governance process

  Business continuity planning can round out a corporate governance plan by identifying potential areas of failure and how to survive them.  Continue Reading

• Avoid Docker host backup issues on Hyper-V virtual machines

  Learn about common issues associated with Docker host backup on Hyper-V and how to avoid them.  Continue Reading

• Speed Hyper-V replication process by seeding replica VM

  Hyper-V replication lets IT create secondary, offline virtual machines that can be used to recover operations following an outage of the primary VM.  Continue Reading

• Restoring data from backups after a security breach

  Once you've established how an attacker penetrated your network's defenses, and what they did after gaining access, the real work of restoring data begins in the wake of a security breach.  Continue Reading

• Backing up Linux VMs running on Microsoft Hyper-V

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey explains what you should know about backing up Linux VMs running on Microsoft Hyper-V.  Continue Reading

• The truth about using snapshot technology as data protection

  Marc Staimer discusses using snapshot technology in your data protection strategy and outlines issues you should know about before opting for this approach.  Continue Reading

• Six steps to build an effective enterprise risk management program

  Follow these six steps to develop an enterprise risk management program that maps risks and establishes countermeasures.  Continue Reading

• Ten common reasons for VM restore failure

  When a VM restore fails, you must troubleshoot quickly. Event logs are a good start, but can be cryptic. Here are 10 causes of VM restore failures.  Continue Reading

• Using data profiling techniques -- and estimating the effort required

  Data profiling is a key part of data quality efforts. Here's a simple formula for calculating the amount of time needed to profile a data set.  Continue Reading

• Techniques for performing EFS recovery

  IT pros face the daunting task of EFS-encrypted data, but Brien Posey offers EFS recovery tricks in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How to dispose of unwanted backup media

  Brien Posey looks at the inherent problems with backup media disposal. Because it contains sensitive data, you must dispose of it safely.  Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell for bare-metal recovery

  Brien Posey shows you how to create backup in PowerShell that is suitable for performing a bare-metal recovery.  Continue Reading

• Data steward role needs some shepherding itself

  Consultant David Loshin gives suggestions for building and managing a data stewardship program that can effectively support data governance.  Continue Reading

• Coca-Cola overcomes challenges to seize BI opportunities

  The Coca-Cola Co. understands that analytics challenges can be overcome and that a team approach helps businesses take advantage of BI opportunities.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of the integrated data backup appliance

  Data center backup solutions are complicated; hence, the integrated data backup appliance. George Crump examines whether it is the right approach.  Continue Reading

• Data governance tools: Part, but not all, of the governance puzzle

  While tools designed for data governance are helpful, organizations must also implement best practices and standard processes to be effective.  Continue Reading

• The keys to a compliance-ready records retention schedule

  Data retention and destruction have become key elements of compliance, making a retention schedule essential to a successful GRC program.  Continue Reading

• Building an incident response plan

  Learn how incident response plans offer a starting point for responding to a situation and then deciding how to proceed in this tip from Paul Kirvan.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft ReFS backup: Ensuring compatibility and testing

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey outlines important considerations for Microsoft ReFS backup in this tip.  Continue Reading

• The importance of cloud recovery testing

  Brien Posey explains why it is extremely important to perform cloud recovery testing that simulates a real recovery following a catastrophe.  Continue Reading

• Virtual machine backup and restoration in a Windows failover cluster

  Learn about Windows failover clusters and their role in VM backups and restoration in this tip from Microsoft expert Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Performing Microsoft System Center DPM bare-metal recovery

  Bare-metal recovery with Microsoft System Center DPM is easier than you might think. Brien Posey explains the process in this tip.  Continue Reading

• The value of VMware’s Changed Block Tracking (CBT)

  VMware’s Changed Block Tracking is an important part of VMware’s efforts to simplify and improve the VMware virtual machine backup process.  Continue Reading

• Active Directory restores: How to restore deleted objects

  Brien Posey shows how to perform an Active Directory restore using authoritative and non-authoritative techniques.  Continue Reading

• Removing a bad patch using Microsoft Windows Server Update Service

  This tip offers information about how to remove a bad software patch using Microsoft Microsoft Windows Server Update Service.  Continue Reading

• IIS backup: How to protect Microsoft Internet Information Services

  This tip offers information about how to perform a Microsoft IIS backup.  Continue Reading

• Five Microsoft DPM errors and how to prevent them

  Microsoft DPM can produce a wide variety of errors. This article discusses how to solve five common errors that you are likely to encounter.  Continue Reading

• Backing up a Windows Server 2008 group policy

  While a Windows Server 2008 group policy is copied automatically, it is easier to manage when you make your own group policy-specific backup.  Continue Reading

• Backing up VMs: Traditional apps vs. virtual machine backup software

  In this tip on backing up VMs, learn about the pros and cons of traditional backup software vs. VM backup software.  Continue Reading

• Wbadmin backup tips for backing up Windows

  The Windows Wbadmin backup command can appear deceptively simple to use. In this tip, we'll teach you the basics of using Wbadmin and its commands.  Continue Reading

• Printer backup and recovery tips

  Learn the best way to back up and recover your printers when you upgrade a server from Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft's Hyper-V snapshots offer quick VM backups, but with limits

  Microsoft’s Hyper-V snapshots offer a quick way to back up virtual machines during upgrades, but they’re no substitute for long-term archives.  Continue Reading

• Five IBM Tivoli Storage Manager backup errors and how to prevent them

  Learn how to correct the top five IBM Tivoli Storage Manager backup errors in this tip from backup expert Pierre Dorion.  Continue Reading

• Hyper-V recovery: Top tips for restoring Hyper-V virtual machines

  Good backups are only one half of a solid data protection plan. Check out our best tips for solving common Hyper-V recovery problems.  Continue Reading

• Free disaster recovery planning templates

  Download our free templates today to help create the best disaster recovery plan for your business.  Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery planning for your help desk: A help desk template

  The help desk is a vital part of IT operations, but it's often not included in disaster recovery plans. Download our help desk template for DR planning.  Continue Reading

• Off-site disaster recovery: DR solutions for remote offices

  Learn how to find the right off-site disaster recovery solution for your remote or branch office.  Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore domain controllers with Windows Server Backup

  Learn how to back up and restore domain controllers with Windows Server Backup in this backup tip by Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• CommVault Simpana 8 backup tips: Storage policies and data retention

  Learn important data backup tips using CommVault Simpana 8 about storage policies and data retention.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting common NDMP backup errors

  Learn how to troubleshoot the most common NDMP backup errors, and what you can do to prevent them.  Continue Reading

• Data backup and storage networking basics: Why back up network hardware?

  Learn about why it's important to back up your network hardware, get troubleshooting tips and expert advice about network hardware backup in this article.  Continue Reading

• Due diligence on a disaster recovery plan enables business continuity

  Creating an effective disaster recovery plan is essential to business continuity, regardless of ambiguity around IT controls for data protection.  Continue Reading

• Network server backup best practices: Backing up clustered servers

  Backing up network servers can be tricky, especially if you're backing up clustered servers. Learn clustered server backup best practices in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Service-level agreement management considerations when using online data backup services

  There are many service-level agreement management considerations to be aware of when using online data backup services. Read our list before you sign on the dotted line.  Continue Reading

• How to back up encrypted files and how to use the Encrypting File System

  With data backup security being such a high priority, more organizations are encrypting the contents of their file servers. Although encryption improves security, it can complicate an organization's backup efforts.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of tape media storage for backup and recovery in SMB environments

  Learn about the pros and cons of tape media storage, and if tape storage is the right fit for your SMB environment.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of IT disaster recovery outsourcing

  Outsourcing DR is becoming a popular option for many companies because of its lower cost. Learn about the pros and cons of outsourcing DR in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Using different types of storage snapshot technologies for data protection

  Storage snapshots are commonly used to enhance data protection systems and dramatically shorten recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs). Here's a look at the different types of snapshot technologies and the pros and cons...  Continue Reading

• Solutions for backing up open files in a Microsoft Windows environment

  Just because a file is open doesn't mean it shouldn't be backed up. Learn solutions for backing up open files in a Windows environment in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Real-life examples of effective dashboard design

  Browse through these optimized dashboard examples from BITadvisors, Inc., including examples of strategic, tactical and operational dashboards. Find out how to encourage interactivity in dashboards and how to set up your dashboard.  Continue Reading

• Using Symantec Backup Exec Advanced Open File Option

  Symantec Backup Exec has been around for more than a decade. Learn about using its Advanced Open File Option to back up open files.  Continue Reading

• Data replication tools for disaster recovery

  For companies whose recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO) for business-critical applications is a few minutes, data replication tools represent an efficient strategy for disaster recovery (DR).  Continue Reading

• Using an autoloader tape drive for data backup in SMBs

  For SMBs, an autoloader tape drive offers more convenience than a standalone tape drive, and a lower price than a tape library. Learn more about using an autoloader tape drive in an SMB environment.  Continue Reading

• Understanding data deduplication ratios in backup systems

  Data deduplication ratios can be very confusing. Learn about how to estimate a data deduplication ratio in your backup system and how to evaluate a dedupe product in this tip.  Continue Reading

• EMC NetWorker backup best practices

  Brien Posey shares EMC NetWorker backup best practices and troubleshooting tips in this article on EMC NetWorker backup.  Continue Reading

• IBM Tivoli Storage Manager backup software tips

  IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) has been a popular data backup software product for more than 15 years. Learn about TSM implementation best practices, and how to troubleshoot common Tivoli Storage Manager issues.  Continue Reading

• Data deduplication technology: The business case for dedupe

  If you've considered implementing data deduplication, you may be asked how it will benefit your business. This tip will help you decide if dedupe is right for your business.  Continue Reading

• Including employees in your disaster recovery plan

  To really ensure business continuity, organizations need to protect and support employees while continuing to manage the business. This tip examines key issues that are affecting employees in business continuity and disaster recovery situations.  Continue Reading

• A comparison of data compression and data deduplication technologies for SMBs

  Data deduplication can often refer to technologies that aren't really deduplication at all. In this tip, we'll discuss the different types of data compression, the pros and cons of each and offer recommendations for SMB storage environments.  Continue Reading

• How to back up and restore a certificate store

  One type of server that is critical to back up is your enterprise certificate authority. If you lose your certificates, you lose data.  Continue Reading

• Data deduplication methods: Block-level versus byte-level dedupe

  Block-level and byte-level data deduplication methods deliver the benefit of optimizing storage capacity. When, where and how the processes work should be reviewed for your data backup environment and its specific requirements before selecting one ...  Continue Reading

• Top 10 things to ask a vendor when buying backup software

  Before you rush out to buy new data backup software, here are 10 questions you should ask potential backup vendors to help you decide what is best for your backup environment.  Continue Reading

• Benefits and drawbacks of incremental and differential backup

  The differences between incremental and differential backups continue to generate many debates and cause confusion. Read this tip to learn how incremental and differential backups differ, and the benefits, drawbacks and uses of each.  Continue Reading

• Backup and recovery basics: Testing your backups

  All too often testing is the missing step in making backups. This tip explores how often you should be testing your backups and some things to look out for.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of file-level vs. block-level data deduplication technology

  Some data deduplication approaches operate at the file level, while others examine data at a block level. This tip explores advantages and disadvantages of each method.  Continue Reading

• The differences between block-based and file-based data backup

  This tip examines the differences between block-based and file-based data backup and will help you choose what's best for you.  Continue Reading

• Data deletion or data destruction?

  It's often assumed that once data has been marked for disposal, it no longer requires much attention. But when data backups or archives are deleted, are they really gone?  Continue Reading

• Four ways to streamline your data backup process

  Are your data backup operations out of control? Here are four tips to help you streamline your data backup and recovery process.  Continue Reading

• What is electronic vaulting?

  Electronic vaulting usually fits between tape backup and disk mirroring as part of an overall data protection plan.  Continue Reading

• How to estimate your data deduplication ratio

  This tip details the factors that influence data deduplication ratio (the ratio of data before deduplication to the amount of data after deduplication), so you can estimate the data deduplication ratio you can reasonably expect to achieve.  Continue Reading