Data Loss Statistics 

The most common cause of data loss, according to the combined source as displayed in the chart below, is hardware failure (40%), followed by human error (29%), software corruption (13%), theft (9%), computer viruses (6%) and hardware destruction (3%).

Can all these causes of data loss be prevented? The answer, of course, is yes and the solution is AfterOffice Storage Center. You cannot prevent a hardware failure, but you can prevent the data loss by having your data backed up to an infallible storage medium, the Storage Center, which will free you from the worry of when your hard disk drive will be breaking down, again perhaps. How about human error? When you accidentally deleted an important file, don't you wish you have had it backed up the day before? With StorageSync (part of Storage Center), you will have your peace of mind.

Tape Drive VS. Portable External Hard Drive

Tape Drive used to be a very common traditional backup solution. However it is cumbersome and difficult to maintain, besides being prone to spoiled tape and error backup. That is the reason why the data loss in tape is decreasing over the years because less people are relying on tape and are switching to portable external hard drive instead. However, the switch-over presents another problem which is mentioned above: the high failure rate of hardware. As shown in the chart below, with the increase application of external hard drive, the data loss associated with it is increasing exponentially. Isn't there any better option? Don't worry, you still have AfterOffice Storage Center.

Are You One of Them?

• 31% of PC users have lost all of their files due to events beyond their control. (Source: University of North Carolina’s Information Technology Service )
• 34% of companies fail to test their tape backups, and of those that do, 77% have found tape back-up failures.
• As much as 60% of corporate data resides unprotected on PC desktops and laptops. (Source: IDC analyst Cynthia Doyle, Business Continuity in 2002: It’s Not Business as Usual)

The Consequences of Data Loss

93% of companies that lost their data center for ten days or more due to a disaster filed for bankruptcy within one year of the disaster. (Source: National Archives & Records Administration in Washington)

The Cost of Data Loss

• The average company spends between US$100,000 and US$1,000,000 in total ramifications per year for desktop oriented disasters (both hard and soft costs). (Source: 7th Annual ICSA Lab’s Virus Prevalence Survey, March 2002)
• Loss in Productivity.
• Losing your existing customers.