Here at Powell, we take extensive measures to ensure our company data is backed up. We prepare for all potential data loss issues, ranging from the occasional accidental deletion of a file by a user, to possible disasters like fire, flood, or other extreme events. Our backup methods include nightly tapes and real-time data mirroring from primary file servers to remote secondary servers.
We educate our users about the importance of storing their critical data on the network file servers here at the office. Data stored on the servers gets backed up...however, data stored on a user's PC hard drive is NOT backed up. We consider company PCs and laptops as "disposable" computers, meaning in the event of a hard drive crash or software error that creates major problems, there is no guarantee that data will be retained or recovered as we work to fix the issue.
Unfortunately, many people do not consider the importance of backing up their home PC! Your home PC or laptop should also be considered "disposable". Many home users do not have adequate security components to guard against viruses, malware, and spyware that can potentially damage or destroy data. Also, home PCs tend to be built using sub-quality hardware, causing hard drives and motherboards to fail more frequently than desired.
Please take the time to make proper backups of your important data at home, such as office documents, scanned images, digital pictures, and digital music. CD-RW, DVD-RW, and portable flash/hard drives are excellent backup devices because they are affordable and easy to use for the typical home user. Consider making full backups at least once a month, and store your backups either in a fireproof safe, or better yet at a relative's house for off-site peace of mind.
Proper data backup is a habit worth developing, even at home!