Data Loss Moves From PC To Suit Pockets

Research from Ontrack Data Recovery reveals one in four USB stick owners has lost data.

The research, conducted among 400 professionals worldwide, also revealed that 65 percent of professionals own at least one USB-stick. However, their compact size leads many people to store their sticks incorrectly - in suit pockets or bags - leaving valuable confidential data at risk. Most professionals don’t realize that memory sticks are just as vulnerable as hard drives. In the last year, Ontrack has seen several strange data loss cases for memory sticks. A dog mistaking it for a chew toy, for example, was the one of the most eye-catching stories. Ontrack was able to recover all the lost data despite teeth marks and a hole that went completely through the stick.

To help protect mobile devices from data loss, Ontrack has put together some simple preventative steps that will help create good habits for the use of USB sticks and hopefully prevent any data disasters.

1. Minimize misplacement - Try to prevent ‘wandering’ USB sticks. The device is easily lost when you don’t exactly know where it’s kept. A dedicated USB spot prevents loss of data from a portable storage device

2. Carry with care - Make sure your USB is stored safely when travelling to minimize the risk of losing data. You don’t keep a laptop in a plastic bag for transport, so why stick a USB stick with similarly valuable data in your pocket?
3. No backups, please - A USB stick is too vulnerable to store precious information. These sticks should therefore never be used as a backup device.
4. Put a lid on it - When not in use ensure that the connector of your USB is protected. By using the protective cap, provided with any USB stick, a possible data disaster can be averted.
5. Unplug before you leave - Before you embark on a journey that requires a laptop and a USB stick, make sure the devices are separated. This way, both the laptop and the USB stick will run less risk of damage.

“Even though USB sticks seem the easy, no fuss way to transport data, they are very vulnerable and therefore susceptible to data loss”, said Jim Reinert, senior director of Software and Services Ontrack Data Recovery. “We have noticed a growing reliance on USB sticks by professionals, who do not seem to realize that data can be lost far more easily on a stick than on a laptop. If a presentation is lost on route to a sales meeting, it could cost the company thousands in lost business. Staff need to recognize how precious these mobile devices can be, not simply see them as a quick way to transport data.”

*Research study conducted online between July 2005 and September 2005 with approximately 450 responses.

[tags]data recovery,usb stick,ontrack,memory loss usb[/tags]