| This widespread use of computers has made them | | | | as the physical heart of the computer. All the data of |
| common from offices to homes, across the world. | | | | the computer system is stored in a digital format on |
| The increased dependence of mankind on computers | | | | the hard disk drives. It is a device that is not volatile |
| also means that man is now affected by the ills | | | | and is meant for the storage of the data. |
| plaguing the computer systems. This is borne by the | | | | The hard disk drive has a spindle as its basic |
| impact that a data loss event can have on an | | | | component. This spindle holds the platters, which are |
| individual or company. | | | | flat circular disks. These platters move at amazingly |
| Data Loss | | | | high speeds and they hold all the information on the |
| Data can be lost on account of misplacing the given | | | | computer system. |
| media storage device. It may be lost on account of | | | | This information gets written on the platters when |
| break-up in internet connectivity. Another cause for a | | | | they rotate past the read and write heads. These |
| possible loss of data may be abrupt disruption in the | | | | read and write heads are those mechanisms that |
| power supply to the computer system. | | | | operate very closely above the magnetic surfaces of |
| However in all the three examples mentioned above, | | | | the platters. |
| the data is not really lost. It is simply not available at | | | | When the read and write heads come in contact with |
| a given point of time. Thus these examples refer to | | | | the platters, then they can destroy the magnetic |
| unavailability of data and not to a loss of the same. | | | | layer which holds the data. This problem can be |
| Data loss is a more permanent phenomenon. It is the | | | | compounded enormously if the particulate from this |
| abrupt disruption of and unexpected loss of data. | | | | action spread to other parts of the disk. This is called |
| Causes for Data Loss | | | | a hard disk drive crash. |
| The data can be lost on account of a variety of | | | | Human Error: Human error is the other major cause |
| causes. As per the statistics gathered in this context, | | | | of a data loss event. It may be that while clearing |
| the two major causes for a data loss event are | | | | useless material from the computer, one accidentally |
| either a failure of the hardware or human error. | | | | deletes a useful file also. This file may be removed |
| Combined together these two causes account for | | | | from the recycle bin of the computer before the |
| nearly seventy five per cent of data loss events. | | | | reality sets in. This way very important files and |
| Another widespread cause is the occurrence of a | | | | programmes can be deleted by mistake. This kind of |
| natural disaster. Even though natural disasters | | | | data loss is said to be on account of human error. |
| account for a much smaller number of data loss | | | | Natural Disaster: As has already been discussed a |
| events as compared to the two major causes, | | | | natural disaster, such as an earthquake, a flood or a |
| nevertheless their impact is also substantial. The | | | | tornado or even a volcanic eruption for that matter, |
| major problem with a data loss event owing to | | | | can physically destroy the data storage media. This |
| natural disasters is that until and unless a back up is | | | | unexpected loss is the most profound as in this case |
| stored in an entirely different physical location, it is | | | | the chances of recovering lost data are even less |
| well nigh impossible to recover from the data loss | | | | when compared with other data loss events. |
| event. | | | | Fire: As with a natural disaster, so with fire. A fire can |
| Hardware Problems: As already stated hardware | | | | physically destroy the data storage media. Until and |
| causes are one of the two major reasons for the | | | | unless appropriate steps have been taken to have a |
| loss of data. Though the hardware problems can be | | | | back up plan ready at a distinctly different physical |
| several, the most serious of these is a hard disk | | | | location, as part of the company's contingency |
| drive crash. | | | | planning, recovering the lost data may well be |
| Hard Disk Drive Crash: A hard disk can be referred to | | | | impossible. |