RHSV Information Technology and Historical Societies Survey 2010 (part 4)

Backing up computers

Frequency of backing up databases (and other computer files)

Backing up recent records:
Each time computer used – 44
Weekly – 27
Monthly –33
Other – 12

Backing up complete database:

Each time computer used – 24
Weekly – 15
Monthly – 49
Other – 26

How many copies of the back-up files are saved?

• 1 copy – 42
• 2 copies – 38
• 3 copies – 10
• 4 copies – 1

At least 2 (1), up to 4 (1), some, 10 (1)

Are back-up copies stored off site?

• 107 groups answered Yes
• 22 groups answered No

Selection of comments about backing up:

• quarterly / every few months(4)
• every 6 months (2)
• regularly
• irregularly (3)
• never back up computer (2)
• occasionally / ad hoc (2)
• depends how many entries are entered
• various times
• not often
• intermittent
• rather haphazard
• back-up plan being implemented (3)
• not done yet!