Remote work has become the new normal for many corporate employees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have also been many reports about companies’ intention to keep remote working options for their employees even after the pandemic ends.
Now that a huge chunk of business operations are happening at various homes, it’s become more crucial for companies to invest in data backup and recovery tools. Business data is more vulnerable when it is taken outside the office, more so because residential networks don’t have the same stringent protection and firewalls against malware and ransomware.
Common Causes of Data Loss
Employees working remotely from home must practice vigilance and care in how they handle and store data. Although net new ransomware activity is reportedly higher than ever in 2019, cyber thieves are not the only causes of data loss; human error is a big factor as well.
Here’s a review of some of the most common causes of data loss among remote workers:
- Accidental deletions -One of the most unfortunate and regrettable causes of data loss, accidentally deleting files and data is very common. It can even happen to the best of workers. The takeaway from these incidents is always this: accidental deletions can be remedied by backup software. Human error isn’t always the culprit, after all: data can also be deleted when there’s a sudden power outage or if the computer hardware unexpectedly gets corrupted. These are factors employees have little control over. They can, however, protect their data from both human error and uncontrollable factors by buying backup and restoration software like Office 365.
- Hard drive damage- Speaking of corrupted hardware, computer and laptop hard drives can wear out and malfunction over time. Overheating, rough handling, dirt, and overuse can damage hard drives and cause them to stop working. Since the data stored in damaged hard drives are difficult to retrieve unless you have sophisticated software and tech for data recovery, the best preventive method would be to regularly back up data in another hard drive or upload them to the cloud.
- Corrupted software – Computer software can also get corrupted because of human error and uncontrollable causes like sudden power outages and improper program shutdown. When software gets corrupted, you’ll be unable to access the data stored in it. Training on how to use a software program properly can prevent corruption; but to be safe, it’s still necessary to use data backup programs or cloud storage.
- Computer theft – Laptops are the most vulnerable to theft. They attract both data thieves and burglars who’re out to make a buck by selling things they steal. While there’s no guarantee that you can recover your computer once it gets stolen, you can at least secure crucial business data if it’s backed-up on cloud storage.
- Careless mistakes- Besides human error in handling computers, careless mistakes like spilling liquids on the keyboard or CPU can also lead to data loss. These accidents are also dangerous for the employee because the electronics can short-circuit and become a fire hazard.
There are many other strategies that can prevent data loss. Examples are partitioning your computer hard drive; installing anti-virus software; regularly cleaning your computer hardware and running diagnostics; keeping computers and laptops with sensitive business data in the most secure room of your home; investing in UPS (uninterruptible power supply), and restricting the use of your computers and linked devices to a trusted few. Combining these strategies with reliable data backup and recovery software will greatly reduce the risks of accidental data loss and data theft. These measures are necessary for any employee working from home.
