Companies can protect their sensitive client data using some common-sense procedures, experts advise.

> Back up your data.

“Backups are the No. 1 solution to preventing data loss,” says Jim Reinert of Ontrack Data Recovery. Data should be backed up off-site for the best protection; power spikes and climatic conditions are less likely to affect two locations far apart.

> Test your backups and continuity plan.

Testing the integrity of your backups regularly is crucial to make sure they work when you need to recover damaged files. Be sure to back up regularly to reduce data loss in the event of a power outage.

> Protect data from damage.

Effective business continuity starts with procurement. A surge protector can stop power spikes from electrical storms damaging your equipment, while an uninterruptible power supply can give you valuable time to shut down your equipment safely in the event of a power outage.

> Buy power-friendly computing equipment.

Traditional cathode-ray tube computer displays consume significant energy and also emit heat that makes air-conditioning work even harder. Liquid-crystal display, flat-screen monitors can help mitigate this problem.

Purchasing laptops for staff reduces power consumption and carries the added benefit of built-in batteries, giving them the necessary juice to survive a short-term power outage. Finally, newer microprocessors such as Intel’s Core family are designed to consume less power.

> Enforce policies to preserve power and protect data.

“Turn off non-critical systems,” says Tim Margeson of CBL Data Recovery Technologies. “Many people go on vacation over the summer months and, in some organizations, they leave their computers on.”

Similarly, encouraging employees to save files to a network drive will put data in one place and make backups easier.



Technology can help enforce these rules. Seattle-based Verdiem sells power-management software that automatically puts PCs into “sleep” mode or shuts them off entirely when they are not being used. And software systems exist that can force desktop users to save files to a network drive rather than to the desktop.

— DANNY BRADBURY