Why failing to follow procedure, accidental data loss is as costly as recovering Data

A Surrey hospital, in the UK, found out the hard way that forgetting to check computer hard drives before destroying the machines cost hospital stall hundreds of thousands of pounds. Hospital workers failed to check that sensitive data was erased from several machines before they were sold to a company. It may be a common tale. The company was supposed to destroy the computers. But, the machines were instead sold to customers. With hundreds of files found per drive on three machines, the hospital was fined for failing to properly destroy sensitive patient information.

Data breaches, such as the one experienced by the Surrey hospital could have been avoided if employees had taken time to verify sensitive data had been destroyed from all computers. However, a data breach can be just as expensive as is data lost due to hackers.  Though companies may not have seemed to have lost much because of a breach, they may lose more than they think.

How a breach damages a company Long-term in the UK and Ireland

If a company doesn’t have to pay a fine for disregarding patient confidentiality laws, the damage caused by a data breach is still evident. A UK watchdog brought up serious questions for eBay UK, after it was revealed 145 million customers’ sensitive data may have been affected. UK and Ireland businesses must act fast to stem the damage from a data breach. For instance, having a cyber crime prevention assessment (or an assessment of safety procedures for the Surrey hospital) may have helped minimise the loss after a data breach.

Customers want to know their private information is secure, but they also companies to move swiftly to eliminate the problem in the event of a data breach. After a data breach, the companies which recover best are the ones that take quick action following a breach and data loss. Customers are more likely to forgive when they see a company working to build a stronger security force, details of a  breach are not kept from customers, and letting customers know what steps are going take to fix a security after a breach.

HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console

The above might sound like a bit of a mouthful and indeed to those who aren’t familiar with it, it can be. Here at Glasgow Data Recovery our engineers are indeed familiar with the HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console and the manner in which it brings a whole host of hardware storage devices together to function as one large unit with continuity and overall stability assured.

There are occasions however, as our engineers can attest, when things go wrong and the Control Management Console will either fail itself or fail to recognise certain ‘nodes’ attached to it across the networked array. The HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console allows its users to take one or more storage ‘nodes’ made up of a number of drives internally and links them together to produce clusters that are accessible via iSCSI and therefore accessible across a networked setup which includes server running your applications and storage ‘nodes’ that hold the data you and your staff are working on.

At Glasgow Data Recovery we have been asked by some of our clients to assist with the recovery of data from storage ‘nodes’ that are no longer accessible as the result of problems that have arisen from the HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console.

This may be because the storage ‘nodes’ or some of the drives within them have failed or because of issues involving the LUN (logical unit number) which is an allocation of a portion of drive space or the drive as a whole. A failing LUN will be reported by the HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console as unusable and as Hewlett Packard themselves have stated since the system’s inception in 2008, unrecoverable.

At Glasgow Data Recovery our engineers have developed a method by which the information on these ‘nodes’ and their constituent drives can be recovered to a new media which was something previously HP said could not be done. Indeed HP have said that such a thing was not possible because storage ‘nodes’ from both the HP P4000 and P4500 were unrecoverable.

Now obviously we cannot give away our trade secrets here but what we can tell you is this; at Glasgow Data Recovery our engineers have developed a method of reconstituting your information from a damaged ‘node’ using a process of reverse engineering; using forensic techniques which ensure the data is recoverable to a new media in a reusable and accessible form.

Those familiar with the HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console will know that by incorporating it into your SAN (Storage Area Network) you can add additional ‘nodes’ (blocks of storage made up of sets of hard drives) as and when they are needed and this can be a cost effective way of increasing the size of your IP network without breaking the bank.

However you will also be aware of the time lost in terms of man-hours trying to reconstitute data from such a setup should one of the ‘nodes’ fail or register as having failed when used in conjunction with the HP StoreVirtual Centralized Control Management Console.

Cooling options may save overclocked hard drives and less need for Mac hard drive data Recovery

Is it best to use air to cool a Raid system or water?  For many computer users, it may not be just the Raid system which needs cooling. Some computer hard drives are larger. While it may not be true every time, some computers need harder hard drives in order to accommodate more powerful hard drives that run processes faster. But, having a larger hard drive may also increase the danger that a hard drive may overheat. Larger hard drives may need special fans to provide cooling. Otherwise, dust may clog hard drives and cause fans to stop work. A poorly circulating fan can cause a hard drive to be overworked and may quickly overheat a Mac hard drive.

While the heat from a hard drive may not shorten its life temporarily, over time, overheating may cause computer users to need hard drive data recovery in the UK. Continually running a hard drive that is overheating can cause sectors in the hard drive to fail and data to be lost.

Which cooling option is best for Raid or hard drive cooling?

Is it better to use a water cooling system versus a fan-cooling solution?  For companies which use Raid systems, water cooling systems may be the best option. A water cooling system may keep Raid systems cooler than having air blowing on Raid arrays. Air-blown systems are not without their problems. Fans may not always cool Raid systems, as needed. Fans may be placed in the wrong positions and not provide enough cooling for a Raid system or Mac hard drive. It may be best to consider cooling options for hard drives before Mac hard drive recovery is needed.

Some companies may not want to use water cooling for their Raid systems because they may only be best for Raid systems and may not be best for computer hard drives.  Water-chilled cooling systems are also more expensive than a fan-cooled system.  However, this isn’t the only thing to consider with a hard drive. Is having a quieter, working hard drive a way to help preserve it?  If a hard drive isn’t making as much noise, it may be a sign a hard drive is in order and no hard drive data recovery in the UK is needed.

Cost is not the only reason why it is best to have Mac hard data Recovery

Did you know that cost is not the only consideration when deciding which cooling method to use? Though the cost is higher, water cooling is a popular way of cooling a computer’s hard drive because it is the most efficient. However, it is more expensive and not without the risk of a water leak that ruins computer hardware, chips, etc. This is why it may be best to look up the number for a profession who performs Mac for data recovery solutions.

The downfall of ‘secure data’: Companies need to monitor tweets

Should companies have a policy to monitor Twitter tweets? According to one study, 70 percent of employees said social media sites are blocked at their workplace. However, another 30 percent of workers said social media was not blocked and was allowed. Should companies care about social media? Being a social media site and tweeting may increase the chances of hackers getting a company’s valuable information.

Why are Twitter and a social media website, such as Facebook, putting a company in danger? Social media makes it easier to share information. However, it may open the door wider to hackers to have more easy access to employees’ data. Why is there a danger to using social media sites, such as Twitter or Facebook?

Companies may not be able to trust a social media website to provide security

Some companies may use social media for their marketing, because it offers benefits. However, those benefits may not outweigh the risks. Why do companies use social media?

• Some companies use a Facebook account or Twitter account to promote their brand with customers. Companies know that in order to keep their brand on store shelves, they need to gain customer’s loyalty and likes.
• Companies use social media to also protect their brand image. Through the use of social media, companies can bond with customers by interacting with them through social media and interacting with users on social media.

However, there will be dangers companies face by using social media, such as Tweeting.

A company can successfully use Twitter and provide the service to its employees, but a policy must be in place. This will protect employees from causing a possible layoff or protect a company’s image and brand.

 

Have you ever had to consult a data recovery specialist because you’ve lost data? Have an employee ever used Facebook or Twitter and infected the company’s network of computers?  We recover data from Raid systems, laptop hard drives, external hard drives, USB flash drives and more.

Best ways employees can protect their iPhones from Hackers

How can employees protect their sensitive phone data from hackers who may use that data to run up thousands of pounds worth of charges on a credit card? With the recent changes to data privacy, residents may have more protection than people in other countries. But, they still may not be safe from identity theft. What should phone owners know so that they can protect their sensitive data on their mobile devices? Knowing your model of phone, the serial or IMEI number, and a description of your iPhone may help retrieve this technology that you depend upon.

Contact your network provider as soon as your device is stolen. By making the theft known as soon as possible, no one may be able to access and copy your most sensitive data. Is there a way to lock the phone when not in use, such as Pin or security lock code? Some of the newer phones, such as the iPhones, have a feature where a phone may be remotely locked. An owner can render their phone and sim card unlockable by using the phone’s features. Newer features such as fingerprint scanners or readers are also becoming more widely available on recent smartphones.

Don’t make the amateur mistake of storing passwords

You may save a few seconds of extra time, but it isn’t worth the hassle. It may not take a hacker long to find your password and once they have it; they may have access to your financial accounts and credit card information. If you cannot remember a password, store it on a piece of paper where you won’t forget it, away from the card. You may spend a few extra minutes looking for your passwords, but your banking information will be safe.

Clear your texted messages, addresses and important information as soon as possible. If you do not have it on your computer, a hacker cannot steal any information. What if you accidentally lock your sim card password and do not remember the password to unlock the phone and transfer data to a different storage means? A data recovery pro may be able to help UK and even North Ireland’s residents recover their lost passwords and data from iPhones.

Don’t forget to delete what you don’t regularly use

Delete your browser information as soon as possible. The history of websites visited may be an open book to a hacker and ammunition that may be used against a phone user. Doing all these things can better protect an iPhone that uses state-of-the-art technology. However, do not forget a data recovery specialist is also a call away if something goes awry and you need sensitive information off your phone’s SIM card.

How changes with data centres are changing how data is recovered

How are changes in data centres, changing organisations’ opinions about data centre efficiency? Are data centres the best way to keep your data safe, without having to worry about data loss? Though the idea data centres may not be new, UK IT organizations may face new challenges when it comes to securing data. With UK users increasing their use of laptops, tablets, Smartphones, and iPads, IT organisations have having to broaden their support of devices. However, instead of concentrating on the devices and instead are focused on users

Data centres are looking at efficiency as well as looking for ways to save money. One way centres are saving money is how they are virtualizing as many applications as possible. However, this is not all. They are using storage efficiency technologies, such as data duplication. Buying servers that allow centres to maximise space and power and also consolidate applications.

Need for growing mobile force is changing face of data centres

With more and more users buying Smartphones, the sector of Smartphone and other mobile phone users is growing and instead of looking at them as assets, many behind data centre operations are changing their perspectives. IT centres are moving from a command and control mind-set, to one that considers their customer’s needs. IT departments are working to welcome their best customers that are loyal to the company. They also are working to find out their customers’ needs and cater more towards offering service-minded solutions.

How can data centres keep their customers from switching to their competition and still offering what customers need? Many IT departments have mulled changes that could be made. With blaring errors found with many so-called safe cloud options, many customers have refused to consider a cloud for their business or home needs. What are IT departments doing in order to reassure customers that their data truly is safe and there is not any need to worry about data being stolen and data recovery services having to retrieve a customer’s file?

Keeping data safe for all customers

However, companies should not forget their remote location users. These users may depend on data centres to keep their most sensitive data secure.  Though even data centres are not fool-proof to the possibility of data loss and may need data recovery, there has to be a balance between customer needs and what customers want. If data centres do not have what customers want, they will look for data recovery centres that can provide what they need.

How much is lost data worth if businesses need professional data Recovery?

Many IT professionals and business owners may not realise professional data recovery may cost them more than £38 an hour for a professional outside the company to retrieve data. Some companies use a flat rate, £250, for example. What does this really mean when a company loses data? In roughly 17 percent of cases, that data may not be retrievable. Did you know flood and fire damage pose the most problems for being able to retrieve 100 percent of the data lost? However, that £250, for example may not cover the real cost of the data lost?

Companies may fail to figure in the actual cost and what it means for their business. If data is lost, companies may have to take time away from projects to gather new data to replace lost data. New records may need to be created, if possible. However, re-keying may not work in every instance and companies sometimes do not estimate all their losses: lost production time, time spent recreating information, technically losses due to a computer going down and needing hard drive data recovery in the UK or all computers in a network going down. If the loss was £340 for the information lost and £250 for the recovery, the true cost of the data lost would be closer to £4,000 for a single instance. Hard disk recovery in the UK is much more expensive if the loss affects a network, as some companies have estimated their losses at more than £50,000.

Why does losing data cost so Much?

Many companies may not take into account the data is not easily obtainable. Sales records may not be able to be reproduced. Companies may also lose a number of customers because the brand’s credibility takes a hit and customers do not want to remain loyal to a brand they do not feel they can trust. Another reason is simply that all the cost related to hard disk drive recovery in the UK is not counted when professional data recovery is needed. Many times, a company may fail to estimate the cost of the hard disk recovery in the UK because they do not include the hardware parts they may need for a hard drive or what they need to fix a software problem.

This makes the cost of a professional doing professional data recovery extremely difficult to figure. It also may underestimate how deeply a data loss may affect a company. This may explain why one out of every five businesses struggles to make it more than five years past opening and many do not even make it a year. 

Are UK restrictions on social media cramping a business's Creativity?

Thanks to the new privacy laws in the UK, businesses may not be aware how those privacy laws really affect the information gained from social media websites. Many smaller businesses do not have the IT professionals to assist in interpreting the new laws and making certain they are followed precisely. Did you know a business may gain information off social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter or Kickbox. But, there are limitations to how the data may be used. For example, businesses cannot link the data to back to a particular person.

How can data from Facebook or Facebook Connect be used to aid a business in finding new customers? Facebook posts, for example, can be traced back to an individual person. What does this mean for the UK’s new data privacy laws that forbid a company from targeting specific groups for marketing purposes? Companies must not keep the data any longer than they need it and it is only gathered for a specific purpose.

Accidental loss of social media data may hurt businesses’ Efforts

For many employees, it isn’t handling sensitive data from social media websites is the real problem. It is the nightmare of trying to retrieve that information mid-campaign, if it is lost due to a power outage or natural disaster. However, a company may need hard disk recovery or
need to hire a professional to perform data recovery services in the UK, in such instances.

However, the terms and conditions on social media sites may be problematic for companies. For many, it could be considered an ‘elephant in the room.’ The reason is because many websites often update their terms and use ambiguous terms in their conditions. This is why it is more than simply losing data and needing data recovery services or Raid 5 data recovery. A social media website changing even a few terms and conditions may prove to be a pitfall to a UK business. Since data privacy regulations are in effect, a UK business must account for how data is being used. But, many websites terms and conditions leave a big disconnect for company employees on what may be gathered and how it can be used. It may explain why data privacy laws, loss of data and the need for hard disk data recovery in the UK, and using social media from such websites may be difficult for a UK company to access if they are following data privacy laws and keeping data safe.

Is it still profitable for companies to mine data from such social websites? Companies may have to be creative in gathering and using information so that they stay in compliance with data privacy rules. Could having a data loss strategy save small businesses money in the long run if there is a disaster? These are questions companies should answer before committing resources to gather data from Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.