Remote Data Recovery

Remote data recovery can be defined as the process of getting access to files and data that is not accessible using normal commands over the internet. When it comes to emergency situations, this is the fastest option for data recovery in terms of workstations and servers that are still active but that have had a logical loss of data because of corruption or user error.

Inaccessible Data

Computers are sensitive devices and many things can happen to them that can be truly destructive. There are quite a few reasons for them to fail, leaving your data inaccessible. The most common reason for them to fail is because of the hard disk. The system itself also plays a key role and there are times when the system itself will crash and compromise data.

How it Works

The key to remote data recovery is in using technology along with trained engineers to recover data right to your server, laptop, or desktop using a modem or internet connection. This is an excellent option for server recoveries due to there not being a need to dismantle and then ship your hardware or drive in to be serviced – which is something that can be extremely challenging because of the shipping costs and security. It also takes away the need for shipping time, which can be critical to most businesses.

The actual process for data recovery can vary due to the circumstances of the data being lost, the type of data recovery software that will be used and the target media for the backup. Consider this: many laptop and desktop software platforms will allow for end users to restore their own lost files, while restoring a database that has been corrupted from a tape backup can be a process that is more complicated and calls for IT intervention. Remote data recovery can also be something that is provided as a service. These services typically are used to retrieve your critical files that weren’t backed up and accidently got deleted from the file system of a computer, but are still fragmented on the disk.

Plan For It

All sorts of IT disasters have hit virtually every part of the planet in recent years. These can lead to the need for remote data recovery. If you don’t have a complete disaster recovery plan in place, you definitely need to develop one right now. Most businesses will put this type of planning off until it is too late, but realistically speaking, it is one of the most critical factors when it comes to the sustainability and success of a business. Businesses today don’t have the luxury of being able to be down for hours or days in the event of a disaster. It is totally imperative that they have a plan ready to put into play at the drop of a hat because that is all the time you have. Once that disaster hits, it is already too late.

Get It Right

There really isn’t a one size fits all solution for remote data recovery or disaster recovery that will work for every business and all data. That doesn’t mean that each piece of data isn’t an asset to the business… it is, and as such, it needs to be protected. However, not every single thing will be critical. The vitality of your assets and data will be the determining factor in how quickly each one needs to get back in the event of there being a disaster. The more vital the assets and data, the faster you need for them to be recovered. For example, something you haven’t even glanced at in the last 3 months might not be as vitally important as the deal you are in the middle of brokering right now. Determine which data is more critical and plan from there.

You should also ensure that you allocate the right resources to test your recovery plans. Switching between your remote data recovery site and your production site will allow you to find out if any holes exist in your strategy. Make sure once you test the data recovery that the data is usable too.