Data archiving or data tiering is the process of storing data that is not needed for daily operations but may occasionally need to be accessed. This aims to safeguard older information that might be required in the future.
FAQs about Data Archiving
As technology continues to evolve, we are generating more data than ever before. With this growth comes the need for data archiving. Here are some FAQs about data archiving:
What is data archiving?
Data archiving, also known as data tiering, is the process of moving data that is not required for daily operations from the primary or tier 1 storage to less expensive secondary or tier 2 storage. This older information may occasionally need to be accessed but is not required for daily operations.
Why is data archiving important?
Data archiving is essential for businesses for several reasons:
- Cost Savings: Tier 2 storage is typically less expensive than tier 1 storage, which means businesses can save money by moving older data to tier 2 storage.
- Improved Performance: Archiving data frees up space on tier 1 storage, which can improve performance and reduce the risk of system crashes.
- Data Protection: Archiving data ensures that it is protected from data loss or corruption, ensuring business continuity.
What data should be archived?
Not all data needs to be archived. Data that is not required for daily operations, but may occasionally need to be accessed, is typically archived. Examples include:
- Older versions of documents
- Inactive client records
- Completed projects
- Legacy data
How long should data be archived?
The length of time data should be archived depends on several factors, including legal requirements, business needs, and data retention policies. Some data, such as legal records, may need to be retained for several years, while other data may only need to be archived for a few months. It is important to develop a data retention policy that outlines how long data should be archived and why.
What are the best practices for data archiving?
There are several best practices for data archiving, including:
- Develop a data retention policy: A data retention policy outlines which data should be archived, how long it should be archived, and why.
- Encrypt archived data: Encryption protects archived data from cyber threats and ensures that it is not accessible to unauthorized individuals.
- Regularly test backups: Regular testing ensures that archived data can be accessed and restored if needed.
- Monitor storage capacity: Monitoring storage capacity ensures that tier 1 storage is not overloaded, which can lead to system crashes.
Data that is not required for daily operations but may occasionally need to be accessed is kept in archival storage. Data archiving, also known as data tiering, aims to safeguard older information that may occasionally need to be accessed but is not required for daily operations. Implementing a data archiving system ensures that businesses can protect their data, save costs, and improve performance.
