You know that Joni Mitchell song, Big Yellow Taxi? “Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.”
This couldn't be more true than when your computer crashes. It's a terrible feeling when your software or hardware suddenly doesn't work, or you can't find an important file you know you had last month. This experience can be a speed bump on your busy day, or a nightmare that takes you days and weeks, and a lot of money, to recover.
Do You Have a Written Computer Backup Plan?
Good business practices include having regular computer backup of your key documents, bookkeeping, website, emails, and databases including your Electronic Medical Record (EMR). If your information is personal or sensitive – to you, your client, or your business – the backup should also be encrypted.
Your backup plan should include a backup of your information in a separate location than the source documents. In case of a catastrophic failure – including bad weather, fire, theft – you can access your key information assets quickly. You could manage the backup yourself or outsource it to a remote backup provider.
Where Is Your Encryption Key?
Your encrypted backup files need a ‘key' or algorithm to de-encrypt the files so that you can read and access the information. Have you kept a copy of the encryption key in the same place as your source documents? Or have you kept the key in a separate location – away from the source documents and away from the backup files? Have you recorded in your disaster plan how to retrieve the key?
Cybersecurity is for all businesses – even if you are not using social medial or have a website! Many small business think that they are too small to be attacked – not true! Not reviewing your security practices and keeping up to date can leave your small business vulnerable to attacks.
You should review your backup plan regularly–at least annually. Check to make sure that it includes all the information that it should and that you can restore the backup to a clean machine.
A written computer backup plan is necessary, but the goal is to have a good restoration. Test your restoration process from your backup to confirm that you know how to do the restoration and that you can run your business using only the restored data.
If you use a computer managed service provider, schedule a test restore with them now! Do a complete restoration–not just a few files–to ensure that you have all the hardware, software, encryption keys, passwords, and written procedures up to date.
What will you do to improve your computer backup plan?
Do you want more tips and resources like these – for FREE?
Join Anne Genge and I for the “Ask Me Anything” style webinar for healthcare professionals, practice managers, privacy officers, and owners on Friday January 20 at 1pm EST.
Anne is the founder of Myla Training Co., and a multi-certified cybersecurity expert with global awards for her work in cyber risk management, ransomware prevention, as well as cybersecurity education for healthcare providers.
This month, we will be sharing backup tips for your practice.
It’s free to attend.
Once you register, you’ll have access to the Zoom link on the day of the event.
