12 Things You Need to Know About Data Storage

1. Know your data

When formulating your data storage management policy, ask the following question

• How soon do I need the data back if lost?
• How fast do I need to access the data?
• How long do I need to retain data?
• How secure does it need to be?
• What regulatory requirements need to be adhered to?

2.Don't neglect unstructured data.

3.Understand your compliance needs.

4.Establish a data retention policy.

5.Look for a solution that fits your data, not the other way around.

6.Don't let upfront costs dictate your decision.

7.Use a tiered storage approach.

8.Don't store redundant data.

9.Make sure your data is secure.

10.Leverage technologies that use de-duplication, snapshotting and cloning.

11.Make sure you can find the data you need once it's been stored.

12.Have a disaster recovery plan and constantly test.