BNI Newswire July '98

While strong public awareness of data loss due to virus infection has existed for some time, one of the greatest sources of data loss remains inadequately addressed by software developers -- human error.

According to recent industry studies, losses due to viruses accounted for only 7%, while human error accounted for 32% of all computer data loss.

Among these errors are accidental deletions, accidental drive formats, improper software installations and deletions across networks. Such errors can result in the loss of mission critical information costing companies many tens of thousands of dollars in losses, and, in some cases, far worse.

With companies depending more and more on mission critical information storage, the potential for disaster increases exponentially. According to Daniel W. Oexeman, a spokesperson for Ontrack Data Recovery, one of the leading data recovery companies in the US, "Traditional methods of protecting important information, such as backup tools and techniques are not 100% reliable."

In fact, while most computer users and administrators rely on backups as their safety net in the event of data loss, research indicates that up to 80 percent of data loss customers regularly back up their data only to find them less than adequate at the critical moment they need to restore them. "Backup methods assume that hardware and storage media are in working order; that the data is not corrupted, and that the backup is recent enough to provide full recovery. Unfortunately, this is all too often not the case," Oexeman added.

No operating system is immune from accidental data loss. Answering the demand for more and more functionality for the increasingly popular Windows NT in the corporate community, Microsoft's own "Recycle Bin" had been seen as more than just a stopgap means of protecting against such accidental sources of data loss. However, the Recycle Bin does not capture all deleted files. It works only on local drives and does not capture files deleted across the network.

As CIO's and IS managers continue to seek new ways to safeguard against data loss and the resultant increased total cost of ownership better software solutions are needed to ensure the safety of mission critical information.

Contact: Ken St. Germaine of Broadcasters Network International, ; or Daniel W. Oexeman of Ontrack Data Recovery,

PR firms and editors throughout the US were asked for research findings on the most common causes of data loss and their relative importance.

Research Source:

ONTRACK Data Methodology: Data obtained from over 80,000 recoveries performed by ONTRACK Data to date.

Company Information: ONTRACK Data currently perform 66 percent of data recoveries on the market, both from their global recovery centers and clean rooms, and over a modem, with their recently introduced Remote Data Recovery (RDR) service, which allows ONTRACK engineers to recover data from a downed PC or laptop over the phone lines.

Storing Data on the Hard Drive

Knowing how your computer stores data makes it easier to understand the causes of data loss. Hard disk drives store data on one or more metal oxide platters, which spin at a rate of 3,000-10,000 revolutions per minute, holding magnetic charges. A read/write head attached to an actuator arm hovers 1-2 micro-inches (one millionth of an inch) above the surface of the platters. Data flows to and from these heads via electrical connections. Any force that alters this process may cause data loss to occur.

Despite technological advances in the reliability of magnetic storage media, data loss continues to rise, making data recovery more important than ever. Ontrack engineers have identified three trends that are leading to this increase in lost data.

1. More data is being stored in smaller spaces. Today's hard drives store 500 times the data stored on the drives of a decade ago. Increasing storage capacities amplifies the impact of data loss, making mechanical precision more critical.

2. Data has become more mission-critical. Hospital patient records. A graduate school thesis. Personal finances and tax information. Payroll records. Users today are storing more information electronically than ever. The loss of mission critical data can have staggering financial, legal and productivity ramifications on businesses and home users alike.

3. Backup tools and techniques are not 100% reliable. Most computer users rely on backups as their safety net in the event of data loss (a recommended practice). Ontrack research indicates that 80 percent of its data loss customers regularly back up their data, only to find them less than adequate at the critical moment they need to restore them. Backups assume that hardware and storage media are in working order; that the data is not corrupted, and that your backup is recent enough to provide full recovery. In reality, hardware and software do fail and backups don't always contain current enough data.

The Leading Causes of Data Loss

Hardware or System Malfunctions (44 % of all data loss)

Possible Symptoms include: Error message stating the device is not recognized, Previously accessible data suddenly gone, Scraping or rattling sound, Hard drive not spinning, and Computer hard drive doesn't function. Examples: Electrical failure, Head/media crash, and Controller failure.

Human Error (32 % of all data loss)

Possible Symptoms include: Previously accessible data suddenly gone, a message similar to "File Not Found." Examples: Accidental deletion or drive format, Trauma caused by drop or fall.

Software Corruption (14 % of all data loss)

Possible Symptoms include: System messages relating to memory errors, Software application won't load, and Error message stating data is corrupted or inaccessible. Examples: Corruption caused by diagnostic or repair tools, Failed backups, Configuration complexity.

Computer Viruses (7 % of all data loss)

Possible Symptoms include: Blank screen, Strange and unpredictable behavior, Error message stating "File Not Found," and Message announcing virus appears on screen. Examples: Boot sector viruses, File infecting viruses, Polymorphic viruses.

Natural Disasters (3 % of all data loss)

Possible Symptoms include: While floods and earthquakes have obvious symptoms, brownouts and lightning strikes often leave no clues. Examples: Fires, Floods and Brownouts.