All modern businesses store at least some of their files on a computer system, with many operations utilising a totally digital and computer based filing and data solution. The number of computers out there that are being used for important day to day business operations, as well as those used in file archiving and long term management, means that data backup is more crucial than ever before. It is vital not only that all businesses have current personnel that are already trained to backup data correctly, but that a training system is in place to teach all future employees to do the same. New solutions such as online backup and high capacity hard disks make it easier than ever before to ensure business continuity, however, the best technology in the world is useless if people have not been trained to use it.

Data backup is a term used in information technology to refer to the copying of already existing digital information into new locations. By copying data and putting it in a different place and an alternate media, businesses can help to ensure data loss following a large scale data disaster or small scale file deletion or corruption. Before data is sent to its backup location, a business needs to decide which data is worth copying, and then extract and manipulate this data so that it is ready for backup. The decisions involved in this procedure, as well as the technical skills needed to successfully carry it out can be considerable and often require education. It is important that any modern business has the technical and personal resources to correctly, carefully, and continually perform any relevant backup operations.

Computer training in backup procedures needs to include new innovations such as online backup routines, along with more traditional backup measures. As broadband Internet access has become more widespread all over the world, remote online backup services have become viable solutions for many businesses. Backing up data over the Internet is able to protect it against many of the worst case location based disaster scenarios, including flood, fire, earthquake, or any other natural disaster. However, Internet connections can be much slower than the speed of the local data storage devices that are employed, and bottle neck situations can easily develop. Trust is also an issue, especially with sensitive information, as a third party service provider needs to be used. However, some of the risks associated with sensitive data in the hands of third parties can be managed by using data encryption.

Whether using online backup services or on-site backup solutions, it it crucial that employees are trained to be able to carry out these procedures correctly. Ensuring that there is never any lost data for a business means more than simply saving files on a regular basis. For a truly successful backup solution, people need to be trained in all aspects of data selection, data extraction, media management, and remote online services.