Summer's here (almost!): How to prevent data loss from higher temperatures

I'm not sure if you can remember that far back but 3-4 weeks ago we had sizzling temperatures and with August now upon us, there's hopefully more to come! That's great for holiday makers but less good news for businesses with computers and servers.

During the last heat wave IT support providers across the UK reported a significant rise in data loss issues.

Here are the BITS Top Tips to help prevent you from losing data due to weather related conditions.

1. Keep computers in a cool, dry area to prevent overheating

2. Avoid having too many computers running off one power supply, via an extension cable. If the power socket is affected by a power surge or lightning strike, all computers could experience damage

3. Install a surge protector between the power socket and the computer’s power cable. Use an actual surge protector, not just a power strip.

4. Check protection devices at least once a year to make sure they are functioning properly. Most leading models will have a signalling light to confirm that they are operating

5. Turn off and disconnect the power cord during an electrical storm. This protects the system from possible problems during a thunderstorm

6. Turn off power during a blackout. When power is restored after a blackout, the signal can initially be inconsistent, which can cause damage

7. Businesses with network servers should invest in some form of uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which cleans the power supply and features backup batteries to keep servers running during power outages

This is not an exhaustive list and BITS can provide you with comprehensive advice and support on safeguarding your data due to weather related incidents.