Top Tips for Protecting Data Against Extreme Weather

Top Tips for Protecting Data Against Extreme Weather
By Mischa Weston-Green

As the information technology we rely on becomes more prevalent in everyday life, so does the need to protect it from harmful conditions. The secret to most modern companies' operational success is the holding and handling of massive amounts of sensitive data. There are many external risks to the storage of this data such as: loss of power, fire and probably most common of all, unforeseen weather impact.

From extreme storms like Hurricane Katrina and Sandy in the United States, to the re-occurring flooding of many areas within the United Kingdom, companies have realised they are far more prone to the elements than they would like to be. If your company is concerned about weather affecting the operations of your business, here are some top tips on preventing possible damage and recovering data after an event -

• Install an uninterruptible power supply system- The most common reason for loss of data in extreme weather is the loss of power to data servers. Extreme weather can affect power stations and pull down power lines so ensuring that your data centre has a constant supply of clean back up power is of the utmost importance.


• Install appropriate air conditioning for servers - Particularly important in areas that are susceptible to heat waves. Servers consume a lot of power and therefore generate large amounts of heat. Ensuring that your system is cooled will lessen your chances of damage through overheating.


• Don't presume data is lost - No matter what has happened to a drive or data centre, a professional retrieval company may be able to salvage data.


• Don't attempt to fix it yourself - If the unit is not working, do not shake, clean or attempt to repair the server yourself. Any mishandling of already broken units can make data recovery even more difficult.


• Carry out regular tests on protection systems -If you have any major protection systems installed then carrying out regular examinations of your equipment will highlight any shortcomings in your system.


• Don't operate visibly damaged devices - If the piece of hardware in question is showing physical signs of damage, do not touch, switch on or attempt to move it. Make sure that there is no power supply going to the system and call in experts.

Although there is no way you can guarantee equipment and data against all weather conditions; following these simple tips will help to prevent or avoid possible damage to sensitive data systems.

If you're keen to protect your Data centre infrastructure from damage by extreme weather your first step should be to install an uninterruptible power supply system. If you're interested in doing so, contact the UK's leading provider of systems uninterruptible power supply LTD. As well as designing and installing bespoke uninterruptible power supply, UPS LTD also supply a range of equipment including ups replacement batteries, data centre infrastructure and battery racks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mischa_Weston-Green
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Tips-for-Protecting-Data-Against-Extreme-Weather&id=7397514