The time has arrived – we’re living in the age of Big Data, and companies have opportunities to take access to a whole new level and truly capitalize on a competitive advantage. To ensure the proper data management, however, you have to have data protection and recovery. At the same time, it’s important to understand the challenges that exist in the cloud.
While the cloud is a great place to go when you have a need for data management and storage, it can also be limiting when all conditions are not ideal. For instance, if your Internet connection is completely down, how will you get anything done if all of your data is stored in the cloud? It’s always a good idea to have local access. Security can sometimes be a concern, especially in the medical or financial industries, so shore up the connections you use to transfer and store your data.
A recent Virtual Strategy post by David Zimmerman offers best practices for protecting your data. Let’s take a look at a few of his tips and how they can be used to maximize your data management.
Develop a Plan: This is always a great first step when it comes to best practices for managing your data. It’s critical that you have a disaster recovery methodology defined and step-by-step instructions that guide your activities in the event of a disaster. Manage this plan over time and treat it like a living document, one that changes along with the needs and demands of the organization.
Limit Access: It’s always a good idea to only allow access to those who have the right clearance and need for use of the data. Your most sensitive information doesn’t need to be available to all employees, so set up role-based authentication. Likewise, don’t leave all access with just one employee. Keep multiple people on task so someone leaving the company doesn’t leave you without access.
Centralize Data Management: Monitoring, reporting and the enforcement of policy all require you to streamline your data for optimal performance. When you have a centralized view, you’re better suited to gain the access you need and the transparency you have to have in place. A centralized approach can also shorten the learning curve for staff members.
Pick the Right Partner: It’s easy to get lost in the myriad of offerings that exist from potential partners in this space. Practice due diligence and vet any company you’re considering, ensuring they have the means to meet your demands and will perform according to expectations. This includes verifying their Service Level Agreements and talking to current customers.
In all, there are several steps you can put in place to ensure your data is properly managed. With these key tips, you’ll be better prepared in not only everyday practices, but also when the unexpected happens.
Edited by Rory J. Thompson