Backup seems to make the “Most Wanted” list in IT every year, most wanted to fix. This seems to be true even though backup’s essentially the same job it was when Legato and Veritas were the Coke and Pepsi of data protection and there were three enterprise backup tape formats to choose from (DLT, AIT and LTO).

So why do most IT managers put backup on their “Most Wanted (to fix)” list every year? Most likely it’s because they don’t have a system they can really rely on - and because they make too many assumptions. For example:

1. 1)They assume having a backup system that’s worked in the past means they’re done. Unfortunately, things change, data grows, networks get full, IT personnel leave and they miss the backup window.
   

2. 2)They assume getting a complete backup today means they’re done. Unfortunately, their recovery may take so long that it creates a down time event.
   

3. 3)They assume that having data restored from backup means they’re done. Unfortunately, services have to be restarted, which can mean rebuilding servers, reloading applications, etc.
   

4. 4)They assume that having data stored offsite means they’re done. Unfortunately, data that’s offsite still needs to be usable by the servers and applications that it’s being protected for. Or even worse, they don’t assume they need to move it offsite in the first place.
   

5. 5)They assume that having a comprehensive, functional data protection system in place means they’re done. Unfortunately they don’t test the system regularly and software or firmware upgrades cause things to go awry when they’re needed the most.
   

Fortunately, Storage Switzerland and QuorumLabs are having a webinar that deals with these assumptions and how to avoid them. Join George Crump, Lead Analyst at Storage Switzerland and QuorumLabs CEO Larry Lang as they discuss the Five Ways Backup Can get Your Fired - and what you can do about it.