Backing Up Your Information
In a world where computers keep getting smaller and more portable, and our professional and personal information is increasingly being stored on tiny devices, one small event is all it takes to cause a huge loss of data. Whether your hard drive fails, your computer is lost or stolen, a virus attacks, or some other loss or damage occurs, once is enough. Start backing up now, and know that you're doing your future self a huge favor.
But I'm too busy to back up my computer!
Backup solutions keep getting easier; some just require you to plug in a drive, or install a software program. And think of how much time it would take to recreate ALL your data. Isn't backing up now a better solution?
But my computer never crashes!
Just because it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it never will. One crash is all it takes to destroy years of data or research.
But I don't know how!
We can help you! Below you'll find a variety of ways to back up your files. If you need help choosing a backup method, contact the IRT Service Desk with a Help Request or by phone (725-8000).
- Ask Your Department:
- Some departments provide backup facilities; check with your department's computer services administrator
Automatic Backup for Home or Office (ways to back up your computer automatically every day, as long as your computer is turned on and connected to a network)
- Hosted on campus, and required for certain users:
CrashPlan
- Centrally managed backup software, hosted on campus
- Required for all Stanford computer users who handle PHI or other restricted or prohibited data (as of January 2013)
- To find out more about Crash Plan, visit the Data Security Program's Backup FAQ
- Hosted on campus: ITS Backup and Recovery Service (BaRS)
- A subscription-based service (charged to your IT department)
- Available for Mac, Windows, Unix, and Linux
- Data is stored on a secure campus server and backed up off-site for disaster recovery
- Approved for prohibited/restricted data, IF the backups are encrypted (this is set up during installation)
- To request BaRS service, use OrderIT, or submit a HelpSU request
- Hosted off-site: Iron Mountain or MozyPro
- Approved for Prohibited/Restricted data storage
- HIPAA-compliant
- Hosted on a local drive: Time Machine, etc.
- Automatic
- Can be encrypted if your computer is encrypted
- Local backups should be duplicated in a location physically far from your computer (ie, on Iron Mountain or MozyPro servers) in case of fire, etc.
Other information storage (non-automatic, self-guided ways to back up):
- Hosted on campus: Central Storage or Low-Cost Central Storage
- NOT APPROVED FOR PROHIBITED/RESTRICTED DATA STORAGE
- Not an automatic backup service, but can be used as storage for your own individually-configured backups (as a target for TimeMachine, or for individual files)
- Local backups (to CDs/DVDs, portable hard drives, etc)
- Handy for backing up specific files
- Local backups should be duplicated in a location physically far from your computer (i.e., on Iron Mountain or MozyPro servers) in case of fire, etc.
- PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED INFORMATION MUST BE ENCRYPTED EVEN WHEN STORED AS A BACKUP.
If you need help choosing a backup method that works the best for you, contact the IRT Service Desk at 5-8000 and the folks there will help you.
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