A Basic Understanding Of Data Archiving
WellData’s complete guide about data archiving explores the process of archiving your ageing data and the best practices for doing so. Firstly, here’s a basic understanding of the practice.
This blog defines the meaning of data archiving. Plus, WellData uncovers the importance of setting up a solution for your business operations. And, we explain how data retrieval compares.
Table Of Contents
Defining The Meaning Of Archiving Data
What Is Data Retrieval?
Don’t Confuse Your Data Archive With…
Why Is It Important?
The Definition Of Data Archiving
Data archiving is the practice of implementing a regular process to copy out data from your live database, and onto a separate solution. You can use an existing server, or a new system to host the secondary storage. The data archiving solution can also be kept on-prem or in cloud storage.
Follow a clear strategy. The strategy intends to identify a solution which supports business operations by adopting best practices and selecting the correct data archiving tools. Your data archiving strategy is complete with a policy for deciding which data meets your archival data requirements. Typically infrequently accessed or data which surpasses the agree retention times, is archived.
An individual or representative for the company can create the rules. Although, it is advised that a dedicated database architect carries out the process. And, if you do not have in house resources, you should consider WellData’s solution to data archiving services.
What Is Data Retrieval?
Data retrieval is the opposite process to archiving. It aims to restore information. Data retrieval is helpful in a few scenarios. e.g. you accidentally archive data which does not yet meet your retention policy, or, e.g. you need to retrieve specific records or historical data for a financial report, or similar.
What Is The Difference Between Data Archive and Data Backup?
Do not confuse the data archive with your data backup. One of these secondary data centres holds much value for your business during a state of disaster recovery. Can you guess which one?
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Correct! A Data Backup is a copy of your existing data. To prepare for the event of disaster, you should store the data away from your primary solution. Data backups are usually not available immediately . But, the value of the information can be the saving grace. Especially, for a company to sustain business operations if security is breached. We recommend taking further precautions to mitigate risks, and plan for database recovery.
Meanwhile, data archives have lower retrieval times. This is beneficial for storing data which is no longer actively used by the company. But, data archive is not effective for business continuity. Equally, data backups are not an effective method for removing older data.
The process meets the goal of creating space in the primary storage location.
Why Is It Important?
At the end of data lifecycle management, you should conduct the process. And, the benefits of doing so, justify its importance as a database administration activity.
It’s an integral process for every company, and especially, as big data continues to impact your storage solutions. Moreover, without any policy in place, you jeopardise the performance and health of your systems. As a result, you increase the risk of a security breach. Setting up a data archive is one of our top recommendations for preventing database threats.
If you have procedures in place to protect data throughout its lifecycle – from creation to deletion, you’re much likelier to reduce risks. Equally, data archiving will not be enough to prevent cyber attacks and security breaches, alone. Improving database health is not a one-fits-all approach. But, having a dedicated database administrator, is a great place to start.
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