Avoiding Data Storage Nightmares: 10 Tips for SMBs

Avoiding Data Storage Nightmares: 10 Tips for SMBs
Published: Oct 21, 2010
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
2 minute read
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Avoiding Data Storage Nightmares: 10 Tips for SMBs

Avoiding Data Storage Nightmares: 10 Tips for SMBs

by Chris Preimesberger


Your Server Dies and the Backup Is a Month Old

2

Make sure you set up alerts the first day you install a backup, and check to see that your backups are working at all times. With critical business data, consider augmenting your backup process with a disaster recovery strategy.


Suddenly Youre Out of Storage Space

3

Data, whether structured in databases or unstructured in file systems, always grows faster than you think. Make sure your storage is at less than 70 percent utilization and take proactive steps to monitor storage growth and understand what’s being stored and what can be moved, tiered or archived.


Sensitive Company Data Stolen by an Outside Hacker

4

Use external security consultants to verify that your data protection initiatives stand up to outside threats.


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You Just Found Out Youre Being Audited

5

First, take a deep breath. Then establish a process that highlights your organization’s data governance policy.


CEOs Laptop Stolen

6

Encryption or remote wipe. They’re the only things you can do, aside from chaining the laptop to your CEO’s arm.


Malware and Rootkitson Your Network

7

Use a tool that will find contraband files and will alert you. This is an ongoing battle.


Your Google Docs Get Exposed to the Outside World

8

If you’re using a cloud provider such as Google Docs make sure your Google Docs are not shared with the Internet. Find a workable software platform to secure Google Docs and other cloud applications.


Your Payroll Data Becomes Open to Everyone in the Company

9

Employ a “least privileged access policy” so only approved users and groups are granted permissions to data.


A Departing Employee Leaves with Company Secret Data

10

Audit file activity to know if and when a departing employee has copied data before leaving.??í


Data Is Not Accessible to Remote Users

11

Use a??ísecure cloud service to make sure important data is accessible to everyone.??í

Chris Preimesberger

Chris J. Preimesberger is Editor Emeritus of eWEEK. In his 16 years and more than 5,000 articles at eWEEK, he distinguished himself in reporting and analysis of the business use of new-gen IT in a variety of sectors, including cloud computing, data center systems, storage, edge systems, security and others. In February 2017 and September 2018, Chris was named among the 250 most influential business journalists in the world (https://richtopia.com/inspirational-people/top-250-business-journalists/) by Richtopia, a UK research firm that used analytics to compile the ranking. He has won several national and regional awards for his work, including a 2011 Folio Award for a profile (https://www.eweek.com/cloud/marc-benioff-trend-seer-and-business-socialist/) of Salesforce founder/CEO Marc Benioff--the only time he has entered the competition. Previously, Chris was a founding editor of both IT Manager's Journal and DevX.com and was managing editor of Software Development magazine. He has been a stringer for the Associated Press since 1983 and resides in Silicon Valley.

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