is your data resilient to unpredictable summer weather.

With the arrival of summer, we often anticipate pleasant sunny days and outdoor activities. However, due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are increasing. Record-breaking heat waves, heavy rains, severe floods, prolonged droughts, extreme wildfires, and widespread flooding during hurricanes are all becoming more frequent and intense.

Achieving data resilience during severe weather is essential to protect your personal and business data from unexpected disruptions.

Here are key steps to ensure your data remains secure and readily available.

1. regularly backup your data.

Backing up your data is the most fundamental step in protecting it from unexpected events. Key practices include:

• cloud storage

Regularly back up important data to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud. This ensures data remains accessible even if physical devices are damaged.

• offsite backups  

Keep copies of important files on external hard drives or USB flash drives at a different physical location in a safe, dry place.

• automated backups

Set up automated backups to ensure data is consistently updated and securely stored without manual intervention. Many operating systems have built-in features like Windows Backup, Time Machine for Mac, and cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud.

• regularly update and test backups

Regularly updating and testing your backups ensures data integrity and recoverability.

2. protect your devices from heat.

Extreme heat can damage electronic devices, so take steps to protect them during hot weather:

• avoid direct sunlight

Keep your devices out of direct sunlight, especially when outdoors.

• don't leave devices in your car  

Your car's interior can get significantly hotter than the outside temperature. If you must leave your laptop or tablet in the car, try parking in the shade and use window covers if possible.

• proper ventilation

Ensure your devices have adequate ventilation to prevent overheating. Avoid placing them on soft surfaces like beds or sofas that can block airflow.

• cool down 

If a device gets too hot, turn it off and let it cool down before using it again.

3. prepare for power outages.

Power outages can occur unexpectedly, disrupting access to data and devices. To mitigate this, have the following ready:

• surge protectors

Use surge protectors to shield your devices from power surges caused by outages or lightning strikes.

• backup power

Invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to provide temporary power to essential devices during an outage.

• portable chargers

Keep portable chargers and power banks handy to keep your smartphones and tablets powered.

4. safeguard against water damage.

Floods and heavy rains can be devastating to electronic devices and data storage systems, leading to data loss and hardware failure. Take the following proactive measures to protect your equipment and data: 

• elevate devices

Keep computers, servers and other electronic devices off the floor, especially in areas prone to flooding.

• avoid basements

If possible, avoid placing important electronic devices in basements or low-lying areas that are more prone to flooding. 

• waterproof storage

Store important documents and devices  in a dry, secure place, preferably in a waterproof container or a fireproof safe. 

• quick action

If a device gets wet, turn it off immediately, dry it thoroughly, and seek professional repair or data recovery services if needed. 

5. protect your data against fire.

Fires can be devastating, leading to the loss of critical data and equipment.

Here’s how to protect your data from fire damage:

• fireproof safes 

Store external hard drives, USB drives, and important documents in fireproof safes to protect them from fire damage.

• heat-resistant cases

Protect your devices and critical data from the high temperatures that accompany fires.

• fire detection and suppression 

Equip your home or office with fire alarms, smoke detectors and fire suppression systems. Quick detection and response can mitigate fire damage. 

• emergency plan

Develop an emergency evacuation plan that includes securing or quickly retrieving critical data storage devices.

• important data kit

Prepare a grab-and-go kit with essential data and backup drives that can be quickly rescued in an emergency.

6. strengthen cybersecurity.

Adverse weather can lead to increased online activity, which may attract cyber threats. Strengthen your cybersecurity measures with these steps: 

• update software

Regularly update your operating system and applications to protect against vulnerabilities. 

• use strong passwords

Create strong, unique passwords for your accounts and consider using a password manager to keep track of them securely.

• enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA on your accounts.

• beware of phishing

Exercise caution with unsolicited emails or messages asking for personal information. Verify the source before clicking on links or downloading attachments.

7. ensure proper insurance coverage.

Insurance can provide financial protection in the event of equipment damage and data loss: 

• homeowners/renters insurance

Review your insurance policy to ensure it covers damage to electronic devices. 

• business insurance

For businesses, ensure your policy includes coverage for data loss and hardware damage. 

• equipment coverage

Consider additional coverage for expensive equipment and critical data that may not be fully covered under standard policies.

what to do if you lose your data.

Here’s a brief guide on what to do if you lose your data due to summer weather risks such as storms, floods, fires, heatwaves, and power outages:

1. assess the situation and identify data loss.
Check devices for physical damage. If a device has been exposed to water, fire or heat, do not turn it on.
Identify which files or data have been lost or corrupted and make a list of critical files that need recovery.

2. prevent further damage.

If your device has been exposed to water, fire, or shows signs of malfunction, power it off immediately to prevent further damage and data loss. For water-damaged devices, dry them thoroughly using appropriate methods (e.g., rice, silica gel packs).

Do not attempt to repair damaged devices yourself, as this can worsen the damage and complicate data recovery efforts.

3. attempt basic data recovery.

• check backups

Restore your data from backups if available, using cloud storage services, external hard drives, or other backup solutions you have in place.  

• use recovery software

Utilize data recovery software to attempt to retrieve lost files.

However, using data recovery software carries risks. Firstly, installing the software could potentially overwrite the data you're trying to recover. Secondly, if your hard drive has a physical fault, running recovery software may cause further damage.

• seek professional help

If basic recovery efforts fail, contact professional data recovery specialists. These specialists have advanced tools and techniques to recover data from severely damaged devices.

As summer brings its mix of beautiful days and unpredictable weather, taking proactive steps to achieve data resilience is essential. Regularly back up your data, protect your devices from heat, fire, and water damage, prepare for power outages, strengthen cybersecurity, ensure proper insurance coverage, and stay informed about weather conditions. These measures will help ensure your data remains safe and accessible, allowing you to enjoy the summer season with peace of mind.

Kotar Data Recovery specializes in restoring data from damaged storage media, including waterlogged hard drives, devices damaged by fire, and those affected by power surges. Should the unexpected occur, you can trust their expertise to swiftly and securely recover your critical files.