Backups and Storage

This page is now outdated. Please see http://www.shef.ac.uk/cics/codeofpractice for the current IT Code of Practice.

Computers are only machines and will fail at some point. It is recommended that information be copied regularly to backup media.

It is also recommended that backup media (eg floppy disk, zip drive, CDROM, etc) are stored away from the equipment they protect, in case of machine failure, fire or catastrophe.

In addition, you are advised to abide by the following:

• save your work regularly as you are working
• always save into your network account (drive U:) or onto your hard disk
• NEVER save directly onto a floppy disk (drive A:)
• periodically close down the software and COPY important saved files onto a floppy disk

In the event of computer failure, people who had followed the above steps would be in a position to use an alternative machine with a recent copy of their work on floppy disk.

There are, however, exceptions to the copying of information. Information obtained from the central MIS systems should not be stored as a backup. Such a procedure would only present a further unnecessary security risk. Local copies of information from central databases should not be made; this could lead to the carrying of out-of-date information or, more seriously, could be a breach of the Data Protection Act.