UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 31, Page TT-2
May 9, 1996
TechTalk
An ounce of prevention

     Few people listen to warnings about making backup copies of their
computer files until disaster strikes," Sigurd Andersen, user
services, says.
     "It's true," Jean Brown, archives, adds. "Too many people forget
that individual departments are responsible for the integrity of the
information stored on their computers and diskettes."
     Brown says the University does have policies concerning
electronic record-keeping (Policy I-14 and I-15) and information
security (Policy I-17).
     These policies are designed to help University departments
establish procedures for protecting critical University information in
all foreseeable circumstances, she explains.
     Many people think they have made a copy of an important file.
"There are plenty of instances when that is not sufficient," Andersen
says. "Should a disk be damaged, multiple copies on the same disk may
be damaged," he says. "In the event of an office fire," Brown says, "a
department that stores backup files next to the computer might
essentially have to shut down." To prevent these disasters from
happening, University Archives works with departments to provide "off-
site" storage for diskettes containing backup copies of their critical
computer files.
     "We will work with an individual department, helping them
determine what their backup schedule should be," she says.
     "There are simple things individuals can do to start," Andersen
says.
     For example, copying important files from a computer's hard disk
to a diskette and keeping that diskette in a safe location away from
the computer is the first step.
     Employees who have files larger than one diskette, a large number
of files or an entire file server to back up, may need specific
hardware and software to assist them, he says.
     "More and more people are using computers with large hard disks
and are using software that creates large files," Larry Larraga, user
services, says.
     As a result, Larraga says more users require special hardware or
software to back up their systems.
     Ron Nichols, user services, urges students, faculty and staff who
want to learn more about backup options for Windows and Macintosh
systems to stop by the Technology Solutions Center.
     "We can help determine if specialized software or hardware will
make it easier for a department to keep its information safe," he
says.
     Larraga adds that backup options for individual systems are
surprisingly inexpensive.
     "There are options available for both Macintosh and Windows users
beginning at about $200," he says.
     Ron Reisor, network and systems services (NSS), says departments
with UNIX-based file servers can arrange to have NSS back up their
servers. This option allows a department to be sure that everything on
their UNIX file server is backed up on a daily basis.