Backing Up Your Computer Is Essential To Your Business

Writen by Cheryl Vallejos

Did you know:

* 1% of all computer data loss is caused by acts of nature

* 6% of all PCs will undergo an incident of data loss during the year

* 30% of all data loss occurs through human error (accidental data deletion, damaging hardware by dropping a laptop, etc.)

* 40% of all data loss is due to hard drive failures and power surges

* Another computer just crashed while you were reading this

Are you backing up the data on your hard drive on a regular basis? If not, why not? It's emotionally devastating losing what we think is protected. And if, like most professionals, you depend on your computer like you depend on your next breath, it can literally shut your business down-at least temporarily. Having your computer out of commission for a few days due to a hardware malfunction can cause a loss of business and any momentum you have built up because of lost contacts, not to mention the decline in income from the shutdown.

As much as 60% of corporate data now resides unprotected in PC desktops and laptops, while 60% of the companies that lose their data will be closed down within six months. Data loss can be avoided, yet statistics confirm that 40% of small businesses don't backup their data at all, and less than 1% perform daily backups. Less than 1%!!! Although most of us are quick to use the "save" icon to ensure our current work is stored, this only saves the work to the hard drive. It is not a backup, and it doesn't protect data from system crashes or viruses.

Not too long ago, I found myself knee deep in alligators when my PC crashed, and I lost much of my data including all e-mails and files. Don't let this happen to you! Here are some steps you can take to protect against losing valuable data, time and money!

1. One solution may be to use a remote backup service, many of which can be found online. Prices vary from $3/100mb per month to $199/month. Typically, home offices with approximately 500mb of data, might pay about $15/month to back up critical data, not the whole hard drive. If you regularly back up to an isolated location, like a remote backup service or a CD, you have a safeguard for when a virus or crash occur. Remote backup services will restore data from a backup made prior to a virus or a crash and replace your data with a minimum of lost work.

2. Another solution is to purchase a software backup program such as Roxio or Stomp and get into the habit of backing up daily to a CD or DVD. Have your computer technician set up an automatic backup to be scheduled at the end of the day after you're finished working. (Are we ever really finished?) Then all you have to do is rotate the CD every day or every other day, and store one in a fireproof safe or box, preferably at a location outside of your home or office. Rotate the stored CD on a regular basis. There are also storage facilities that will keep your backup files for a fee. Make sure you back up all your data files as well as e-mails and contact/database lists.

Every 15 seconds a computer hard drive crashes and 20% of all computers will suffer a fatal crash during its lifetime. Will you be next or will you be prepared?

Cheryl Vallejos is president of Endorse Success, and CEO of Prime Leaders Community. Cheryl is a Certified, Professional Business Coach, Consultant, Speaker as well as an author of over 11 books and audio series. She has over 22 years of organizational business management experience working with the public, customers, and large employer groups. Learn more from Cheryl by registering to receive her monthly ezine, A Joyous Journey, providing leadership tips to help increase your profits, improve your business, and help create life balance. You'll also receive a complimentary 37 page Leadership Guide when you register at http://www.endorsesuccess.com/get_37page_guide.html.