Back up data

Purpose

Backups are the last line of defence again irreparable data loss (caused by theft, compromise, hardware or software updates, human error, natural disasters, etc.) and unauthorized data alterations.  

Audience

FACULTY RESEARCHERS ADMIN STAFF IT STAFF STUDENTS

On this page

Initial considerations

Determine your data's classification.

• Classifying your data is the first step to knowing what safeguards are required to securely backup your data.

  • Classify data

Do suitable storage solutions exist at the University that provide backups? 

Administrative data

• https://its.utoronto.ca/its-units/eis/hardware-infrastructure/backup-services/

Research data

• https://www.cris.utoronto.ca/data-storage-finder/

Departmental or divisional solutions

• Contact your Local IT group about possible existing backup solutions. https://uoft-infosec-cf.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ISH/pages/4948958/Additional+help#%F0%9F%96%A5%EF%B8%8F-Information-Technology-(IT)

Develop a resilient backup strategy.

• While any backup is better than none, not all backups are made the same; it is important to plan out a resilient backup strategy to reduce the risk of data loss.

  • https://uoft-infosec-cf.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ISH/pages/3997924/Resilient+backups+strategy#%E2%9C%85-Best-practices

What can I do?

Back up to an encrypted hard drive or encrypted mobile storage device.

• https://uoft-infosec-cf.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ISH/pages/3571764/Encrypt+data+and+devices#%F0%9F%92%BD-Use-a-self-encrypting-device-(SED)-to-supplement-full-disk-or-file-level-encryption.

• While self-encrypting or encrypted devices can provide an easy and cost-effective means of backing up data, their mobility can introduce increased theft risks.

  • Ensure physical backups are locked away securely. Physically secure data and devices