Think Your Business Data Backup Is Adequate? Not So Fast, Read This First Before You Answer

I have had some interesting experiences in my time of either working for, or consulting with businesses, especially in the area concerning data backups and data recovery. Most businesses when asked can tell you that they have adequate backups in place, and a good portion of them do. However, when you really drill down into what their plans are, or how they are actually backing up their data things get interesting very quickly.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s) Found in United States, Specifically in San Diego – Must See Interview

Recently, 10News - KGTV of San Diego conducted an interview with Al Hallor the Assistant Port Director with U.S. Customs and Border Protection with the Port of San Diego. The interview, which you can see below is quite interesting, and suggests that WMD's of either chemical or Biological in nature have been discovered somewhere in San Diego in the last year. During the interview they are called Weapons of Mass Effect.

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Severe Weather Safety & Preparedness Tips From the Folks at GEMA

Winter storms having been causing havoc and chaos in many areas throughout the country, and another storm is currently about to hit again along with a major cold front. Many people have been caught off guard by these storms and without adequate supplies. In light of this, I received an email from the Georgia Emergency Management Association (GEMA) asking me to pass along some information in conjunction with the Ready Georgia campaign and the Governor's Office to remind people about preparedness and severe weather.

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Book Giveaway To The 300th Person to Join Our Facebook Page

Hi Everyone,

The past year has been great for the Disaster Preparedness Blog. We changed to a new logo, readership has been increasing every month. Subscribers are up, and I have had a few offers to speak nationally and internationally.

All of this would not happen without you, my readers, subscribers, and devoted fans. Thank you.

We also quietly launched a Facebook page which we have been having separate contests and giveaways for just the people following there.

I am going to give away a book called It's A Disaster... And What Are You Going To Do About It? To the 300th person to sign up on the Facebook page.

More contests are in the works for both readers and followers of the Facebook page.

Disaster Preparedness Blog is also seeking out some sponsors, so if you are interested just head to the Contact page. If we can get some sponsorship going we are going to provide some excellent contests and giveaways this year, and may even do a small scholarship.

So, a great big THANK YOU to you my readers and fans again. With your continued support 2011 will be a great year as well.

What do you recommend I use for backing up critical files?

A very common question I get, especially from owners of small businesses looking for ways to protect their critical documents and files is… What do you recommend I use to back up my critical files?

Depending what your needs are, such as how many files you need to back up, the type of system you use, the costs of backing up your data this issue can get fairly complex to the point that I could not provide an answer without dealing with each of them on an individual basis.

With that said, I both use and recommend for most small businesses a service called Sugarsync. This is something I have been using this for the last few years, and started using it while it was still in the beta phase, and it has saved even me on more than one occasion.

The best part of using Sugarsync is its capability to sync your files across multiple computers and platforms. If you are someone like me with a multiple operating systems and computers the service is a godsend. Open the file on your Mac, edit it, hit save and it sync's the changes and you can open that same file on your PC or Smartphone and see the edited version.

My favorite part is the ability to access and view files on my Smartphone. If you know someone who forgets files, documents, or work on their home or office computer, this service is for them. Just access your account on your phone, and you have access to your file on your phone.

Coupled with the new service from Google called Google Cloud Print you may never have to worry about leaving that document you were going to give your client behind again.  

For my business I have multiple methods of backing up my critical files, including multiple backup drives that I keep offsite. But, my favorite tool and service by far is Sugarsync.

Recently I had a hard disk drive failure of my own on one of my primary desktop's for my business. This would be a big problem for anyone, but thanks to Sugarsync all of my critical files were accessible through my laptop. I just had to get a new disk drive, install the operating system, and Sync up with the Sugarsync web based access and ALL my files were back.

Sugarsync also offers a free 30 day trial, so you can see if it is right for you. Once you use it, you may never look back or have a need for anything else.