Data is one of your business’s most valuable assets; losing it can be disastrous. Whether it’s client information or sensitive business assets, data loss can result in a significant setback. Unfortunately, it’s common to experience data loss after a hardware failure, accidental deletion, or, most commonly, a cyber attack.
When this happens, the most important thing is to remain calm. There are ways to recover lost data; we’ll explore how you can reclaim your data after a loss and how to prevent it from happening altogether.
1. Identify the Source of the Data Loss
The first step in reclaiming your data after a loss is to determine the source of the problem. Identifying this is crucial in determining the best course of action for data recovery. Several common sources of data loss include hardware failure, accidental deletion, and cyber attacks. Troubleshooting options include running diagnostic tests on your hardware, using software tools to recover deleted files, and investigating suspicious activity on your network.
Your trusted MSP (Managed Service Provider) team can assist you in identifying the source of the data loss and guide the best recovery options based on your specific situation. By partnering with an MSP, you can benefit from their expertise and support in safeguarding your data and minimizing the impact of data loss events.
2. Check and Restore from Backups
The next step is to check in on your data backups. Backups provide a way to recover lost data quickly, and we recommend keeping multiple data backups in different locations to ensure you always have access to a recent copy.
Restore from Backups
It’s important to note that restoring data from backups can vary depending on the type of backup solution you are using. Some backup solutions may have automated restore processes, while others require manual intervention. If you are unsure about how to restore data from your backups, it’s recommended to consult with a data recovery specialist or your trusted MSP team for guidance and support.
Restoring data from backups typically includes the following steps.
- Identify the backup source: Determine where the backup is stored, whether on an external hard drive, cloud-based storage, or another location.
- Verify the backup: Before restoring data, it’s essential to verify that the backup is valid and contains the data you need. Check the backup file to ensure that it is not corrupted or damaged.
- Select the files to restore: Identify the files or folders you need to restore from the backup.
- Restore the data: Using the appropriate software or tool, restore the selected files or folders from the backup to the appropriate location on your computer or server.
- Test the restored data: Once the data has been restored, test it to ensure that it is working correctly and that there are no further issues or errors.
Implement Data Backups Before a Breach
Services, including data backup and disaster recovery solutions, can help protect your data and minimize downtime during a breach. With regular backups, your data is stored securely offsite and can be easily restored in an emergency. Additionally, MSPs can help you develop and implement cybersecurity measures to prevent breaches from happening in the first place.
3. Contact a Data Recovery Specialist
If you do not have a backup or cannot recover your data from a backup, it’s time to call a data recovery specialist. A data recovery specialist is trained and skilled in recovering lost, damaged, or corrupted data from various storage devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives, USB drives, memory cards, and other media. Data recovery specialists use specialized software and tools to recover lost data. They may be needed in situation due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, formatting errors, or malware attacks.
We work with a variety of clients, including individuals, small businesses, and large corporations, to help them retrieve important data that may be essential to their business operations. We also provide consulting services to help clients prevent data loss and implement backup and recovery strategies.
Protect Yourself in the Future
Secure your Log-ins, Passwords, and PINS
In today’s digital age, cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly common. If your data loss was due to a cyber attack, changing your passwords is crucial. According to Aura, a cybersecurity company, only 50% of people change passwords regularly.. Changing your passwords regularly and using strong, unique passwords can help prevent future cyber attacks.
Use Cloud-Based Solutions
Finally, Intuitive Networks recommends using cloud-based solutions to store your data. Cloud-based solutions offer several benefits, including easy access to your data from anywhere, automatic backups, and enhanced security. With cloud-based solutions, you can rest assured that your data is safe and secure.
Data loss can be a devastating experience, but it’s important to remember that there are ways to recover lost data. By identifying the source of the problem, checking backups, contacting a data recovery specialist, changing your passwords, and using cloud-based solutions, you can reclaim your data and get back to business as usual.
Need help recovering your data? The INI team is here to help! Click the link below to connect with our team of experts today.