05 Nov 2008

Data backup 'most important business task'

Taking simple steps to backup important data could be the most important task performed by a business, a group has said.

According to the Forum of Private Businesses (FPB), data backup could have prevented many firms from going bust.

Hard drive failure, the risk of an office flood, fire, theft or an employee deleting vital files are all potential threats that loom over firms and offer consequences that could force an organisation into liquidation, the group warned.

Companies could use web storage, copy data stored on an office PC's hard drive or use multiple CDs and DVDs to backup important files, the FPB suggested.

Other priorities should be to ensure that the contact details of customer and clients are backed up, along with important information stored on employees' handheld devices.

"We cannot stress the importance of data backups enough. It is probably the single most important computer related task you will ever perform in business," the FPB added.

The group has just released an online version of its Employment Guide 2009, which provides firms with up-to-date information in the field of employment law.