Disaster Backup And Disaster Recovery

By Author: Sherry Roberts
Total Articles: 580

Introduction
A database is a collection of harmonized information stored in such a way that, it is easily retrieved, managed, and updated. Database backup, on the other hand, refers to the storage and preservation of data. A database, therefore, preserves data against possible loss in cases of occurrence of a disaster. Failure of the system that keeps the data and information is a potential catastrophe. Database backup prepares for potential loss of information and comes with database recovery. A successful database recovery borrows from a successful database backup.
Database backup
Unforeseen disasters occur in an organization. Files containing crucial information get deleted accidentally. Files don’t only become deleted; they get corrupted. Deleted and corrupted files become of no use to the organizations. According to Preston (2007) organizations, therefore, find themselves on the losing end. There are needs to protect against such disasters. Database backup is what organizations at such risks need. It acts as a cover system since it recovers data from every type of accidents. Database backup recovers lost information from both natural and man-made disasters.
Database backup has several factions. Physical backup and logical backups are the most recognized systems of database backups. Besides the above two systems, others such whole database backup, partial database backup, inconsistent and consistent backups, user-managed backup, and RMAN backups find their uses. They are as good as the primary backup systems (Little, Farmer, & El-Hilali, 2007). Although they are as good as a physical and logical backup, the above methods of database backup are not popular.
Physical database backup is less complicated compared to the logical backup. Physical database backup preserves data files. Physical database backup moves all data, and information from one device to another as Hausman (2011) points out. The source devices are the internal computer hard disk. The destination devices are usually external to the computer that holds the information. The devices may include disk and CDs.
The immediate benefits of the physical backup system are the simplicity and speed. Simplicity in the way the backup takes place. The physical system happens without one knowing. One does not need lessons to learn how to transfer information from a computer system to a flash disk. Every bit of the information is transferred from the source where it appears to the destination device. Transfer of this information takes happens faster. Moreover, it needs to look to order access to the media in what way it deems most efficient (Bradford, 2012).
Logical backup is a database backup system that uses import and export utilities to the backup database. Logical backup, therefore, backs up the whole contents of the database. Logical database backups store valid data. Valid data is procedures and tables. Unlike physical backup, logical backup recovers the entire database. Logical backups are not however efficient. Logical database backup system cannot adequately protect loss of data without the use of physical reserves.
Organizations should, therefore, have a recovery strategy. Recovery procedure involves restoring the set of backups and recovering the database. It is an effective way of responding to the disaster that is bound to occur. It should. However, people need to know that a successful data recovery is only possible if a valid database backup existed in place (Guise, 2009).

Disaster planning
Technologically, a failure refers to an accident or a natural catastrophe that causes significant damage or loss of data and information. Disasters, therefore, disrupt the smooth running and performance of a system when they occur. Their effects affect in all the departments of an organization. There is a need to have a recovery plan in place to help in recovering data and information whenever the disaster has occurred. Disaster planning is required. Disaster planning describes how an organization ought to deal with emergencies when they unexpectedly occur. The plan ensures that an organization has resources to get back into its system in the shortest time possible (Kramer, 2009).
Every organization needs to have well set out procedures that are going to get the company back to its knees when the disaster happens. A disaster recovery plan, therefore, is necessary. What is a disaster recovery plan? Disaster recovery plan is a detailed process and procedures that guide a business IT infrastructure on healing and protection when an accident happens. It is a comprehensive document of very definite and consistent actions that should be taken before, during, and after the catastrophe has occurred (Sandhu, 2002).
The sole purpose of disaster planning is to maintain the continuity of the business. It is an important tool of business management because it helps a business to ensure a substantial financial loss that would have been felt. The planning document should, therefore, appears in a way that it will capture all the details. It’s hard to think of a scenario in which business organizations cannot avoid disasters. What there is for companies is to minimize the effects of the catastrophe. The other objective of the recovery plan is to reduce the time the organization will be down and data that is going to be lost. Minimizing downtime means minimizing disruptions of operations and brings back the organizational ability that is needed. The plan ensures an orderly recovery from the disaster.
Benefits of disaster recovery
Having a recovery plan in place makes the process of recovery from a failure quick and efficient. The process will be swift since the team responsible for recovery will be reading from the same blueprint on how the process needs to be carried out. The plan will have eliminated disagreements between individuals with differing opinions. The reasons here are the individual will be reading from the same manuscript.
Recovery plan increases the likelihood of business survival. The plan will have documented the procedures in storage and preservation of data and information. Even there will be if a significant loss of items and facility, the most valuable asset of the organization will still be in place. The organization will, therefore, use the information and data to rise from the disaster.
The recovery plan will assist the business to secure contracts with their famous clients. By having the plan, in place, will convince consumers of business continuity. Business continuity in a sense that, the business will still be in operation and that the company will be able to provide goods and services in the event of a disaster.
Integration of disaster backup and disaster recovery
The importance of database backup has led many organizations to have the system in place. The groups appreciate the importance of protecting company data and keeping it from possible loss due to disasters. Database backup works hand in hand with a recovery plan. None can succeed without the other. Database backup helps in mitigation of having data lost. Recovery plan contributes to getting the data back when disaster strikes. The database keeps duplicates of files. Recovery plan ensures that there is an availability of resources to mine the data from to where it is intended to be used. The two processes work together, and none can function without the other (Toigo, 2000).
Integration of database backup and disaster planning will enable the process of data recovery to be fast when an accident occurs. A documented process of data recovery in place means that any expert will be able to carry out the recovery. The process of data recovery will be quick thereby saving cost and time. A system that has neither database backup nor recovery plan could be heading for disaster. Such a company will experience disruptions when an accident happens. There will be a loss of vital data that a business needs to resume operations. Integration of both will prepare the administrator for any anticipated problems. The combination will eliminate confusion among workers when such disasters strike.
Conclusion
Data is a valuable asset to an organization. Organizations should, therefore, protect it from possible loss. However, the data is protected; database backup and disaster plan should always be in mind. The systems of data protection will not only protect data, but it will also be protecting the organization from a possible collapse. Integrating both systems will have a far greater importance. Organizations will be able to recover data smoothly even after the disaster leading to more confidence from stakeholders.

References
Bradford, D. (2012). Effective MySQL Backup and Recovery. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.
Guise, P. (2009). Enterprise Systems Backup and Recovery. Boca Raton: Auerbach.
Hausman, K. (2011). Sustainable Enterprise Architecture. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Kramer, W. M. (2009). Disaster Planning and Control. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Pennwell Corporation.
Little, D. B., Farmer, S., & El-Hilali, O. (2007). Digital Data Integrity: The Evolution from Passive Protection to Active Management. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons.
Preston, C. (2007). Backup & Recovery: Inexpensive Backup Solutions for Open Systems. Sebastopol: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Sandhu, R. J. (2002). Disaster Recovery Planning. Oregon: Premier Press.
Toigo, J. W. (2000). Disaster Recovery Planning: Strategies for Protecting Critical Information. Detroit: Prentice Hall.

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