Guides: Data Storage, Access, and Preservation: Backing up your data

In a nutshell...

Use descriptive and informative file names.

Choose file formats that will ensure long-term access.

Track different versions of your documents.

Create metadata for every experiment or analysis you run.

To avoid accidental loss of data you should:

Backup your data at regular frequencies
- When you complete your data collection activity
- After you make edits to your data
Create, at a minimum, 2 copies of your data
Place one copy at an “off-site” and “trusted” location
- Commercial storage facility
- Cloud file-server (e.g., Amazon S3, Carbonite)
Use a reliable device when making backups
- External USB drive (avoid the use of “light-weight” devices e.g., floppy disks, USB stick-drive; avoid network drives that are intermittently accessible)
- Managed network drive
- Managed cloud file-server (e.g., Amazon S3, Carbonite)
Ensure backup copies are identical to the original copy
- Perform differential checks
- Perform “checksum” check
Document all procedures to ensure a successful recovery from a backup copy