Top Reasons for Data Loss and How to Prevent It

Losing data is an issue which has been faced by almost every organization and individual. There are a number of ways by which data loss could be restricted or avoided to a great extent. However, it is rather very difficult for a business to completely immune itself from the issue of data loss.

 

There are various reasons due to which the business could end up losing its important data and information. Some of the most common reasons for data loss issues for an organization could be divided into the following:

1. Inadvertent Issues
2. External Intangible Threats
3. Mechanical Issues
4. Lack of Security Awareness Training
5. Lack of security accountability
6. Tangible and Physical Damages
7. Uncontrolled Natural and Civil Issues

1. Inadvertent Issues

This is one of the most popular ways due to which data is lost in the organizations. The user could accidentally delete or overwrite a file. Backups are therefore very important in the organizational context. However, even though the organizations keep track of the backups on a daily or weekly basis, still such inadvertent mistakes could directly lead to data loss where the backups hardly help the cause. The data is lost simply because the organizations do not have proper procedures and data management ethics. If the business introduces proper training and backup procedures in the organization, this particular issue could be addressed to a larger extent.

2. External Intangible Threats

The external intangible threats pose a real challenge before the planners in respect of protecting the data. With the growth in the Internet-related operations in the businesses across the globe, the overall chances of the systems to be infected with viruses and malware have also increased tremendously. There could be different types of viruses and malware having the ability to impact the systems in distinct manners, but the most common way of affecting the data is by infecting the operational software, misusing the internet connection and damaging the stored data. The attackers have the ability to steal important information from the company’s database. It is therefore important for the business to have antivirus programs installed. Besides this, regular checking of the systems by third-party administrators is also crucial for the company’s data security procedures .

3. Mechanical Issues

The hard drives of the computer are fragile in nature. If the user stores all the content and data on the hard drive of the computer, the overall probability of losing the data increases a lot. Even though there are various procedures by which data could be recovered from the damaged hard drives, but the processes often consume a lot of time and money.

 

Apart from that, the hard drives have their own natural deaths. Due to manufacturing defects or specific timelines, it is rather not possible for the hard drives to extend the useful lives beyond 6-8 years.

4. Lack of Security Awareness Training

The employees working at all levels of management should be provided proper training in order to secure the database, especially on the systems on which they are working. Security awareness programs should be a norm in the modern businesses. The primary objective of the awareness program should be to change the overall behaviour of the employees. The top executives should have an agreement on the long-term negative impacts which losing the data could cause for the sustainable future of the business. There are petty issues like locking the systems or phishing recognition which should be part of the organizational training programs.

5. Lack of Security Accountability

One of the prime reasons for the loss of data could be attributed to lack of accountability this context. The regulations and laws related to security of data related to offices are at the best, lethargic. Due to such regulations in place, the accountability from the viewpoint of the managers and executives is negligible. This means that the issues become repetitive in nature.

6. Tangible and Physical Damages

The users could damage the computer systems simply by spilling coffee or water whilst working. This is a recurring issue in the organizations where drinking coffee or having lunch at the workstations is allowed. Moisture affects the internal hardware of the systems and eventually, it could result in losing the data.

7. Uncontrolled Natural and Civil Issues

Natural issues like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones have the ability to damage the computer systems and eventually it could cause the loss of data. Civil issues like fire accidents or other incidents could affect the systems and hence, the result could be a loss of data.

Even though some of the issues listed here could not be avoided, it is important to understand here that having proper data backup strategies and implementation of standard procedures for data protection by third party experts like Processvenue could help in minimizing these threats.

Did we miss out on any common reason that results in data loss? Tell us about that in the comments and don’t forget to share the article on social media.