Disaster Data Recovery

The recovery of lost data, especially in the case of a database or large network, is a computerized service that is often referred to as disaster data recovery. There are several firms which specialize in retrieving lost data. Some of these firms require that clients have pre-installed back-up equipment on their servers and computer networks; other firms are able to retrieve data on a network without any previously installed security software.

Data disk recovery is needed when information stored on a type of media, such as a hard drive, or portable media like a CD or DVD, can no longer be accessed by the original operating system. Often, this occurs because of damage to the unit itself, or intrinsic damage to the electronic file system. Experts in this field are usually able to recover files that were created in Macintosh, Windows, Unix and Linux operating systems. After the recovery of the data, the data may require additional maintenance due to its high susceptibility to further corruption because of the initial damage inflicted upon it. This service is often termed “File Repair.” There are other specific types of data maintenance after the initial recovery process, including email recovery and recovery for specific back-up systems.

Back-up software designed for the explicit purpose of preventing data disk loss is sold by a variety of companies. These companies also usually offer service contracts, which can be arranged on a monthly or yearly basis. These contracts typically guarantee users secured secondary storage facility for their data which is updated on a regular basis. The secondary storage is especially useful in the event of a natural disaster, such as a partial building collapse, fire, or other traumatic, potentially destructive physical act. The actual back-up equipment software and hardware itself is useful in the event of a system-wide crash. Many of the data disc recovery companies brand their recovery services in terms of how rapidly they can recover the data and provide the host company with access to their databases.

A prevalent theory among many data disc recovery companies is that massive data loss is inevitable, and that preparation is the best course of action. Most major companies that rely on servers or computer networks now commonly employ some form of data disc recovery. Private individuals have increasingly become aware of the problem with long-term incorruptible computer storage, although the advent of ‘cloud’ computing is creating a kind of automated secondary data storage that removes the need for physical storage hardware, at least on an individual basis.

In some cases, individuals or companies can attempt to recover data by downloading recovery software from the internet. This process is not advised for those with little experience in data disc recovery, partially because even legit recovery programs can wreck significant havoc if employed improperly. Additionally, many programs on the internet that promise to recover data may deliver on this promise without necessarily securing the data. Spyware and viruses commonly pose as legitimate programming, making amateur data recovery a risky proposition.