Pitfalls to Consider in Data Storage Solutions

By Dani Magestro
Updated: June 11, 2012

When planning your Data Storage Solutions solution, you need to be aware of the pitfalls to consider before going with any one single option. Most people tend to turn to Data Storage Solutions for help with an existing problem. This could be out of date onsite hardware, new budget concerns or the need for something more fault tolerant. It could also be simply the need for more storage space. These are all great reasons to consider finding a Data Storage Solution but you should be aware of some of the pitfalls that you will need to think about when making your decision.

Spending a good chunk of your IT budget means that you should research every element of the Data Storage Solution you are looking into. As we move away from tapes and magnetic drives and move towards offsite in- the- cloud super solutions, the old problems start to seem almost easy compared to what could go wrong with the newer technology.  In the past if someone lost a tape, you would simply buy another one and slap it in the machine and be on your way. Unfortunately there is a tendency to internet-based solutions as if they were a group of large bodyguards that no one wants mess with. But in reality, we all know that isn’t true and security breaches and hardware failures do happen all the time. It’s just a matter of what plan of action you use to get business back to normal. Disaster plans are a key element in your overall network infrastructure design.

With all the changes comes a huge need of prioritization in terms of Data Storage Solutions. Which data can your company part with and how often do they need it? What data is considered top security and needs to have the most guard dogs? Virtualization has begun creeping into almost every aspect of IT. Do you trust the technology with your most prized data? Security isn’t the only concern. Capacity and future expansions are also factors in any decisions you make. Here are a few other tips to help you think about the possible pitfalls to consider in choosing a Data Storage Solution that will meet your company’s needs.

Regulations Matter

One of the biggest reasons to do your research before choosing a particular Data Storage Solution is their compliance with government regulations. Does your business fall under Sarbanes-Oxley or HIPAA? Backups are subject to these rules as well. In fact, when using a 3rd party vendor the regulations may require even tighter security than if the data were housed internally.

Security is King

There have been some concerns discussed as to the security of moving your data offsite and then putting it into the hands of a 3rd party vendor. This now means that your area of vulnerability is larger and there will be more possibilities for things to go wrong. It’s your data so it’s your decision where to house it but there are things that are out of your control such as attacks on known Data Storage Solution vendors. It may not be easy to compromise a business whose main goal is security but they may possibly be a larger target.

Is it Legal?

Make sure you are fully aware of your legal department’s requirements in regards to old data. They are a top concern in making sure the Data Storage Solution you choose meets everyone’s needs. How long are you required to keep accounting or collections data? How about email correspondence? These are more things to consider when deciding on Data Storage Solutions for your company.

Can they handle it?

Is the Data Storage Solution vendor you are looking at working with able to handle your future needs? Future planning in IT systems is critical in being cost effective and being able to meet the needs of the end user community. This is one of the reasons you should not purchase your company’s Data Storage Solution too far into the future, as you may end up wasting budget dollars on an expense you did not need. This doesn’t mean you should pass up any good deals, just make sure you are not locked in to anything you that will waste your company’s money.

Unforeseeable Things

Let’s say you do decide to use a Data Storage Solution that is offsite through a 3rd party vendor. What happens if this company gets bought out or goes bankrupt? It happens and it is fully out of your control. Be sure to ask the vendor about what type of planning they’ve done for a change in direction within their company.  If a Data Storage Solution vendor is truly looking out for its customers they will be able to provide a clear plan of action should you need to get your data and run.