Robert A. Mamis

Data Backup: Why They Started

Five reasons computer users give for backing up files religiously.

 

Far more U.S. companies have plans to avert sprained ankles than policies to protect themselves from massive data loss, a recent survey disclosed. Indeed, with disks now capable of storing huge amounts of data, PCs often are entrusted with material that small businesses can't exist without, yet only 18% of small businesses have backup policies. (See "Stop, Back Up!, February 1993, [Article link].) Of the individual computer operators found to back files up religiously, this chart shows what inspired them to do so.

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Importance of data 48%

Previous experience of data loss 28

Company policy or legal obligation 15

Did not trust computers 5

Automatic backup system available 3

Other 1

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Source: Survey conducted by Intelliquest Research, Austin, commissioned by 3M, St. Paul, Minn., June 1992.