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The DaveGuerra.com official blog is "The Dave
Dispatch." The posts on the Dave Dispatch range from what's going on at
DaveGuerra.com, with Dave Guerra, new projects and applications under
development, as well as various items of interest in the modern workplace all
with an emphasis on protecting and securing your data.
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all blog posts.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
• Backing up to a Flash Drive
Earlier this week I was approached by someone who read the previous post and
asked, “What about using a Flash Drive as an IDBUS?” My response was “of
course you can, provided there are two.”
Why two?
One acts as a backup to the other. Redundancy is key to the using universal
flash drives for backing data up. Again, why? While you do have to keep track of
two devices, you also have a back up should you lose or misplace one UFD. Of
course, nothing can help of you lose or misplace both devices, that is unless
you have three.
What are you going to need? First off, figure out what size/space UFD you are
going to need. To determine this you will need to know what you want to back up.
Know that if you want to back up the entire content of your PC, using a UFD is
not recommended nor is it the best thing to do and your really should consider
the IDBUS format I described in previous format until your can get a formal
process in place. I wholeheartedly recommend that you please stick strictly to
data for the UFD.
Once you have determined what you want to back up then get yourself a Universal
Flash Drive that will adequately hold your data plus allow for growth and
expansion. I always recommend that you head on over to Geeks.com to get yourself
a very good device at a very good price. Of course, you can always go to your
local Super Mega-Low Mart and get two there.
The next thing to consider is using encryption software to lock your data should
you lose or misplace the UFD during transit or it accidentally gets lifted from
your desk. There are plenty of encryption applications available and numerous
are open source. Just Google “encryption software” and you should get plenty
of responses. Do a little homework and find one that suits your needs. However,
I do recommend one other thing when looking for encryption software. Please
ensure that the software you are looking for is using the AES-256 encryption
standard.
The AES-256 standard is the same standard that is authorized for use by the US
Government. Hey, if it is good enough for them it is good enough for your
everyday use.
There is one last thing to remember: Most applications do not store your
encryption/decryption code (the code you use to lock and unlock the data) and
therefore, if you forget the code you might as well delete the encrypted files
because without it you aren’t getting in. So be careful.
Yes, Virginia you can back up your data with a Universal Flash Device. Get one
or two UFDs. Create a rotation schedule using one every other day. Ensure that
the data on the UFDs is protected using a data encryption application with at
least an AES-256 encryption standard. Don’t forget your access code /
password. Last but not least, use it every time, all the time.
Full Disclosure: I do not work for
Geeks.com, my only experience with that organization is as a consumer. I also do
not work for Google.com, my only experience with that online search engine is
using it as an online search engine.
Still not too sure what to do? Well, stick around for more.
You can contact me at Dave@DaveGuerra.com
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