Data Storage Mistakes to Avoid: How To Store Your Data Safely in 2024
In 2024, ensuring the safety of your stored data is more crucial than ever. Data breaches are not only becoming more frequent but also more costly. The global average cost of a data breach has surged to about $4.35 million, highlighting the severe financial implications of inadequate data security. Moreover, the Verizon 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report indicates that a significant portion of data breaches involve some form of hacking, often exploiting weak or stolen credentials. This suggests that much of the unauthorized access could be prevented with better data storage practices.
Prioritizing safe data storage is essential not just to avoid financial loss, but also to protect your reputation. Businesses and individuals alike suffer lasting damage when sensitive information, such as customer data or personal identities, is exposed or misused. Implementing robust data storage practices reduces the risk of such incidents, securing your valuable data against threats and maintaining trust with clients and stakeholders. Therefore, investing time and resources into securing your data storage systems is not merely a precaution—it’s a necessity.
Here are ten common data storage mistakes to avoid and how to ensure your data stays safe.
Neglecting Regular Backups
One of the most significant yet avoidable data storage mistakes is neglecting regular backups. This oversight can lead to catastrophic data loss in cases of hardware malfunction, software corruption, or cyberattacks such as ransomware, which can encrypt your data and make it irretrievable without a backup.