Too much data is lost because it wasn't backed up correctly. It's one of those things that you simply can't get back after it's gone. Peak 10 have put together a cheat sheet to help you manage the storing of your data. Good luck!

2. IF YOU THINK YOU CAN
SIMPLY BACK UP YOUR DATA
ON A STORAGE DEVICE AND
BE DONE WITH IT…

3. YOU’RE
WRONG.

4. YOU NEED TO STAY IN
CONTROL
OF THE SECURITY,
PRESERVATION, AND
ACCESSIBILITY OF YOUR
FILES AND INFORMATION.

5. DATA STORAGE
MANAGEMENT CAN
BE
OVERWHELMING…
There’s so much to consider. In fact, we set out to make a Top 5 list, but there are too
many crucial, yet oftentimes overlooked methods for improving the way you store data.
We tried not to drown you with suggestions but were careful not to oversimplify.

6. 1. GET TO KNOW YOUR
DATA

7. So, you’ve stored your data at a third-party
facility. This does not mean that your
organization is no longer responsible for
that data or any risks associated with it.
Becoming familiar with your data will help
you determine an appropriate storage
strategy and stay close to evolving needs.
Ask yourself: What level of security is
necessary? How quickly do I need to be
able to access this data? Does it require
short-term or long-term storage?

8. 2.DON’T
DUPE!
Now that large data storage
solutions are more affordable,
companies are less likely to
evaluate whether there are
duplications in their stored
data. Resist this temptation.
Remove redundant copies so that
you only store unique information.
And always be sure to keep the
version from the most reliable source.

9. 3. BE COMPLIANT.
BE COMPLIANT.
BE COMPLIANT.
BE COMPLIANT.
BE COMPLIANT.
BE COMPLIANT.
BE COMPLIANT.

10. Can’t stress this one enough. Do not
outsource data storage management to
a provider that does not have the
certifications (HIPAA, PCI, etc.) you need
for your data to be secure and compliant.
And don’t forget about data retention.
Having a data retention plan is necessary
for legal compliance, but it can also help
with internal data workflow. The retention
strategy you construct should reflect the
fact that mandatory retention periods can
range from days to years.

11. 4. COMPRESSION
HEARD OF
IT?
Reformat data by coding more efficiently.
The best compression systems come
close to cutting data loads in half without
distortion.

12. 5. ANOTHER REASON
FOR
HIGH-SPEED
NETWORKING
High-bandwidth connections make the process of
backing up data faster. Additionally, having a highspeed network improves restoration in times of crisis.
When there’s an unanticipated shutdown, don’t you
just want to get back online as quickly as possible?

13. 6. CUSTOMIZATION
IS YOUR FRIEND
There is no such thing as a onesize-fits-all solution for data
storage. Make sure your managed
services provider can tailor their
offerings to fit your company’s
specific IT infrastructure needs.
Companies don’t all operate the
same way, so it is important that
the provider collaborates with you
to craft a strategic plan that will
suit your specifications.

14. 7. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY…
You need to have a disaster recovery plan. Use multiple backup methods and
test them frequently – not just once a month or once a year. Any important
information should be stored in at least two different formats, one of which
should be offsite.

15. 8. CONSIDER VALUE
ABOVE COST

16. Data storage is not a place to cut corners.
You really do get what you pay for, so
focus on value instead of trying to find the
cheapest way to store your files and
software.
If you’re on the hunt for a storage
provider, you may want to make a list of
your organization’s needs and ask potential
partners if and how they can provide
solutions to your unique situation.

17. 9. GET FAMILIAR
9. GET FAMILIAR
WITH YOUR CLOUD. .
CLOUD
WITH YOUR
Some clouds are ideal for archiving, while others can function as the
Some clouds are ideal for archiving, while others can function as the
backend for a primary data storage system. Do you have an
backend for a primary data storage system. Do you have an enterprise,
enterprise, private, or recovery cloud? Is your cloud secure and
private, or recovery cloud? Is your cloud secure and compliant to
compliant to appropriate regulations? Does your cloud guarantee that
appropriate regulations? Does your cloud guarantee that data will not
data will not be lost? Know the answers to these questions.
be lost? Know the answers to these questions.
Don’t have a cloud to get familiar with? Look into whether going to the
Don’t have a cloud to get familiar with? Look into whether going to the
cloud can benefit your business.
cloud can benefit your business.

18. 10. NOW
WHERE
DID I PUT
THAT?

19. Data storage is pointless when you have
no idea how to retrieve the data. This
should be a no-brainer, but it’s not. During
a critical, emergency situation, could you
find the information you need? How long
would the search process take?
If you don’t care about these issues in
regards to your data, then you should
reflect on why you bothered to store it in
the first place.

20. If you liked this,
check out our new ebook!
www.peak10.com