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Back-ups & Security

Back up your data

Make 3 copies (e.g. original + external/local + external/remote)
Copies should be geographically distributed (local vs. remote)

Data back-up options

Personal computer hard drives, external hard drives, departmental or university servers
CDs or DVDs aren't recommended, because they fail frequently
Tape backup system
UNMC's data storage service (Basic is free, up to 25 GB; greater levels of storage available for a fee)
Cloud storage: BOX storage option is available for a fee too

Security

Unencrypted security is ideal for storing your data so that you and other can easily read it, but if encryption is required because of sensitive data:
- Keep passwords and keys on paper (2 copies) and in a PGP (pretty good privacy) encrypted digital file.
- Don't rely on 3rd party encryption alone.
Uncompressed is also ideal for storage, but if you need to do so to conserve space limit compression to your 3rd backup copy.

To make sure your backup system is working properly, test your system periodically. Try to retrieve data files and make sure you can read them.

Need more help?

The UK Data Archive provides additional guidelines on data storage, back-up, and security.