Nearly everyone knows about the dangers of hoarding now, thanks to some very popular television shows pulling back the curtain. However, many business owners and community organizers don’t realize there’s a similar problem affecting their attempts to protect their information through regular data backups. While backing up your data is certainly important, it can also lead to data backup sprawl. It’s the digital equivalent of hoarding every receipt and bit of packaging, and the resulting effects on your system are surprisingly similar. Learn why computer backup sprawl occurs, then pick up a few handy computer tips to keep it under control.
Duplicates, Dozens, and Dated Data
Data sprawl happens when you rely on basic computer backup software. It is a good idea to backup crucial data because it’s the only way to protect it in case of a hacked server or a stolen laptop. Unfortunately, the software that automatically copies your files to create a backup isn’t necessarily very smart about what it copies, especially when it’s running on auto-pilot without an IT professional to keep it on track. This results in:
- Duplicated files, which racked up over $44 billion in data storage charges in 2013 alone;
- Dozens of files being backed up that aren’t necessary, like temporary files;
- Outdated files that are simply not needed anymore, even for long-term record keeping;
- Improperly labeled files that appear to be important or unique, but are simply copies of files you don’t need.
{{cta(‘5fa2e210-4587-495c-945f-5acfda29754d’,’justifyright’)}}Data is growing at an unprecedented rate across the globe, so it’s necessary for even the smallest business to get a handle on how they manage their data backups now.
Of course, data backup sprawl goes beyond the sheer size of your backup. Even if every file is necessary and free from duplicates, you can face a sprawl problem if the files are spread out over multiple hard drives, servers, and cloud storage units. If you can’t find a file because it’s lost in the sprawl, it defeats the purpose of computer backups altogether.
Paying Out the Nose
If you don’t get computer backup sprawl under control, you’ll end up spending more than necessary while having a hard time actually using the backup service as intended. Many companies and organizations quit their computer backups over sprawl because of rising storage bills, which leaves them unprotected.
Software and Storage Solutions
Instead of trying to go in and prune your own files with basic computer tips, find a more professional solution by getting help from an IT team. Installing the right data management software, or configuring your current system to better check and exclude unnecessary files, can greatly reduce the effects of data sprawl. On top of limiting the size and controlling the growth of your backup to manage storage costs, the right software makes it much easier to find a single specific file when you need it. Each backed up file is tagged and categorized properly, allowing you to better access certain sections of the data.
Oversized, disorganized, and complicated data also increases the chances of a security breech. If you need to make your system more secure at the same time to protect your clients, you’ll be happy to hear that the same software used for managing sprawl from data backups also keeps data safer.
Written By Kevin Gray
Hello! I am the Sales Manager and one of the Senior IT Consultants @ EnvisionIT Solutions. I help our clients envision great technology solutions that help their businesses grow. Let me know if you have any questions. I am an avid outdoorsman who loves fly fishing and camping. I also love sports – soccer, basketball, football….