What to Do Your When Data is Lost

Data is the lifeblood of most businesses operations, driving the decision-making process and strategic planning. So safeguarding this invaluable asset should be one of the top priorities, and part of that is understanding what causes data loss and adopting the right approach to properly mitigate against it.

The Critical Role of Business Data Recovery

Data powers everything a company does, so needless to say most setbacks involving a loss of data, even a temporary one that you are able to recover from, would be a significant setback. A strong backup plan is not just about preserving the information itself, but building a safety net to save you from events that disrupt operations.

Common Causes of Data Loss

Various factors contribute to data loss, including:

• Hardware failure - disk failures, power surges,  physical damage (a cup of coffee dumped over a laptop) can lead to loss of data
• Human error - accidental deletion or modification of files are quite common and can cause some panic while being sorted out
• Software issues - corruption, bugs, or compatibility issues can compromise data integrity
• Cybersecurity threats - malware, ransomware, phishing, and hacking pose significant risks

Business Data Recovery Best Practices

When faced with potential data loss, some quick thinking and proper planning ahead of time will make sure you have lots of options available so you can reach a favorable outcome.

• Complete backup strategy - automated backups of data that are held in multiple locations, with a verification process to avoid a nasty surprise when you least need it
• Avoid overwriting/modifying - in the case of something like a laptop hard drive or cameras memory card, refrain from writing new data on the affected device as this might overwrite lost information and reduce your chances of recovery
• Use an expert - in serious cases of data loss, especially involving physical damage, consult with a data recovery company that has specialized tools or even a clean room for disassembly
• Implement cybersecurity measures - "an ounce of prevention...", strengthen your org's protocols (regular updates, employee training, etc.) to thwart potential threats and avoid the data loss in the first place

Strategic Actions Following Data Loss

When the worst happens, a structured approach is will help ensure you come out on the right side of things

1. Assess your data loss

Start off by assessing the scope and depth of the data loss, as knowing the extent and cause will be pivotal for an effective recovery plan. Identify affected systems, evaluate the magnitude of data compromised, and plot out a suitable course of action.

2. Isolate the affected systems

If data loss is due to compromised systems, isolate them quickly to contain the damage. Disconnecting compromised devices from the network and suspending their usage can prevent additional data loss and/or the spread of an active threat.

3. Activate your disaster recovery protocol

Having a good recovery plan ready to go ahead of time will help avoid mistakes by reducing the amount of decisions you need to make in a crunch. Start working your way through it, alerting your team members and third-party associates, prioritizing the critical systems and data that was identified when the plan was developed.

Once you've made it through take a breath, thank your team members, and give yourself a high-five for a successful recovery. Then make sure to follow-up the incident with a post-mortem analysis to identify any possible improvements that can be made for future incidents!