Protecting data: privacy and security

Security strategies: back up

It is important that businesses and organisations have a regular and where possible, automated backup system in place which would typically include:

• daily incremental backups
• end-of-week server image backups – in-house and offsite
• quarterly server image backups – offsite
• yearly server image backups – offsite

You should consult with your web developer when you are building a new website about how to back up your site. You can also consult with your service provider if you are using an outsourced or hosted solution for your technology needs.

If you already have an IT infrastructure in place, and you are building a new website, then you can ask your web developer to add a script to the backup regime to include the new website. This can occur regardless of whether the infrastructure is in-house or outsourced.

In an outsourced environment, standard backups will often be part of the hosting service offering.