DATA STORAGE, BACKUP, AND PRESERVATION
This page is about ensuring that data can be retrieved and used, now and in the future.
Data Storage
Data storage refers to where the data will reside in a system while the data is currently in use (in contrast to data preservation, which refers to long-term storage for archival purposes). In this downloadable resource we discuss:
- Privacy considerations for storage.
- Principles for data storage.
- A scenario to help understand the risks of data loss.
Data Backup
One common best practice in IT is to create a data backup, a copy of the current system data that is stored in a separate location from the main data. This downloadable resource discusses:
- Key backup objectives and best practices.
- Basic backup types.
- Backup policies, including a scenario describing a backup policy in action.
- Data recovery plans.
Data Archiving
Data preservation refers to the long-term storage of data that is no longer needed for immediate access. The primary considerations for data preservation are data safety and reliability. This downloadable resource discusses:
- Archival options and solution strategies.
- Archival documentation, labelling, and storage.
- Accessing archived data.
- Supporting data change requests.
Data and media destruction.
Data Storage, Backup, and Preservation Policies
Your government will need policies on:
- Data storage, preservation, and archiving.
- Disaster recovery plan and backup strategy.
- Data disposal.
- Logging and audit policy for data archive access, change, and destruction requests.
The BCFNDGI Privacy and Security Policy Manual includes template policies on data storage and data lifecycle and disposal.