BACKUP Considerations

  Last Modified: 2/21/98  ( 640x480 256 Color )

Who is responsible for doing the backup ?

Is this responsibility formally part of their job description ?
Do they have a written outline of their site's proceedures ?
Do they have a copy of the hardware/software manual relative to their backup equipment ?
Do they have a copy of the Backup Software in case a reinstallation is required ?
Do they have a printed copy of the backup batch file if one is being used ?
Do they have a printed copy of their autoexec.bat and config.sys file ?
Do they have enough tapes to perform their required tape rotation process ?
To whom is the success or failure of the backup reported ?
If the designated backup operator(s) are unavailable, who is the alternate ?
How are users notified if the backup fails ?
If the backup takes place unattended, but there are employees on duty, are these employess
responsible and trained to monitor the backup ?
     Should they intervene in case of a failure ?
     What is the proceedure they should follow ?
     Who do they notify in case of a failure ?
     How do they reach them ?
     Are the contact individual(s) required to be available ?
If there is trouble with the backup/restoration proceedure, requiring lengthy time, will the
responsible individual(s) be able to be away from their regular duties ?
During vacations, sickness, offsite training or meetings, who will perform the backup ?
Is there a recorded list of vendor names and numbers in case of a hardware or software failure ?

Will the backups be incremental or full backups ?
When will the backups take place ?
How much time will the backup require ?
If the backup fails due to hardware, how long can you expect to be without a tape drive from
which to do a restoration if a file is needed ?
If the tape drive is an internal drive, how reliable is the computer it is mounted in ?
If the backups are done to a remote site, do they have everything documented in regards to who,
what, where and when as well as how and when they may restore files from that remote site ?
Where and how are the backup tapes stored ?
Is it fireproof, waterproof, tamper proof and safe from other natural disaster ?
Are there copies and where are they stored ?
Can all responsible parties gain access to the tapes for restoration in case the lead operator is not
present ?

What is the backup scheme ?
Which files and directories are to be backed up ?
What role do the individual computer users play in making certain that their files are backed up ?
Will the individual user be required to backup their own workstations ?
How is the backup certified that it is complete and of value ?
What is the process used to test the tapes and files to be certain that they can be restored ?
How often is this tape testing performed ?
What is the tape rotation scheme that is to be used ?