1.4 Data Loss Flashcards
Two areas where data loss can occur
hardware and software
factors affecting the cost of data loss
(1) how costly it will be to continue without the data
(2) how costly it will be to recreate the lost data (3) how costly it will be to notify users of data loss
causes of data loss (13)
- accidental deletion
- administrative errors
- poor data storage organization system (misplacement)
- building fires
- closing the program without saving the file
- computer viruses
- continued use after signs of failure
- data corruption
- firmware corruption
- natural disasters
- outsiders wanting to steal, alter or delete informatio
- physical damage of storage device
- power failure
most common causes of data loss (3)
accidental deletion, closing the program without saving the file, computer viruses
most rare causes of data loss (2)
building fires and natural disaster
solution to preventing data loss caused by: accidental deletion
use of file recovery software
solution to preventing data loss caused by: administrative errors
need for care
solution to preventing data loss caused by: poor data storage organization systems (misplacement)
restructure/improve the data organization
how is data lost due to a poor data storage organization system
data is misplaced and cannot be found
solution to preventing data loss caused by: building fires
storing data in different/multiple locations
solution to preventing data loss caused by: closing the program without saving the file
- need for care
- use of autosave features
solution to preventing data loss caused by: computer viruses
- need for antivirus software
- regular backups
solution to preventing data loss caused by: continued use after signs of failure
- need for self monitoring analysis and reporting technology (SMART)
- regular PC check-ups
- regular backups
solution to preventing data loss caused by: data corruption
regular backups
what is data corruption?
errors in computer data
what does SMART stand for?
self monitoring analysis and reporting technology
how does firmware corruption happen?
hard disk failure
solution to preventing data loss caused by: firmware corruption
regular backups
solution to preventing data loss caused by: natural disasters
- storing data in different/multiple locations
- regular backups
solution to preventing data loss caused by: outsiders’ malicious use of data
- regular backups
- use of firewall
- use of authentication methods
solution to preventing data loss caused by: physical damage of storage device
- regular backups
- need for care
solution to preventing data loss caused by: power failure
- use of UPS or backup battery
- regular backups
what does UPS stand for?
uninterruptable power supply
example of when data loss can have extreme consequences
medical records of a hospital patient being lost
problems with data retrieval
- its time consuming
- its not always possible
Methods to prevent data loss (7)
- regular backups
- firewall installation
- data storage in multiple/different locations (offsite storage)
- hard copies (printed versions of data)
- installation of an antivirus program
- human error reduction techniques and/or failsafe
- online autosave backup (iCloud, dropbox)
Factors considered when backing up data
- what you back up
- how often you back it up
- what you back it up to
- where you keep the backups
what did data used to be backed up to before the cloud?
tapedrives
what is redundancy?
the duplication of storage devices and stored data of a computer system with the intention of securing the stored data
what is redundancy a type of?
- failsafe methods
- data storage
- back up methods
what can storage devices used in redundancy do?
permanently store data
why can storage devices used in redundancy permanently store data?
because they are non-volatile (remains after power turns off)
what is a failover system?
a computer system which is on standby, capable of switching to a spare computer system upon hardware failure, network failure or any other type of error
scenarios that can trigger a failover system
- hardware failure
- network failure
- software malfunction
difference between a failover system and a switchover system
failover: less/no human intervention needed - done automatically
switchover: needs human intervention - needs someone to initiate the process
types of software development
- patches
- updates
- upgrades
- releases
reasons why companies update/upgrade?
- resolving security issues
- releasing new features/functions
- releasing the final working version of the software
what are patches?
used by software companies to update application by fixing known bugs and vulnerabilities
disadvantages of patches
may introduce new bugs as side effects
what are upgrades
software development containing novel functionalities or characteristics and cumulative bug fixes
how do customers implement upgrades?
they need to pay for it usually
what are updates?
software development that improves a product in a minor way by adding new functionalities or fixing known bugs
how do customers implement updates?
can be implemented for free (usually)
how are users notified
- email
-pop-ups in software
how do updates happen
- automatically
- on a reccommended basis
what are releases?
final working versions of software applications
what do releases consist of?
new or upgraded software applications
what testing is done before releases?
beta and alpha
