Data loss is a very frequent adverse event in digital organizations. Data loss can have many causes. In this blog post I’m going to explain the most frequent causes of data losses and I will explain how backup and recovery software can protect you from data losses.

How frequently do data losses occur?

Data losses occur frequently, and a high percentage of all organizations are affected by them. 76% of IT leaders experienced severe loss of critical data and 45% reported a permanent data loss. 

Here are some recent statistics on data losses as of 2024: 

• Small Businesses: Almost 70% of small businesses close within a year of a large data loss event. 
• Folder Protection: In 2021, 33% of all folders within an average company were not protected at all. 
• Data Breach Costs: The global average cost of a data breach in 2022 was $4.35 million. 
• Backup Failures: 50% of all tape backups fail to restore, and 77% of companies that test their tape backups find failures. 
• Ransomware: 28% of all ransomware attacks cause data loss, and the average victim loses 35% of their data. 
• Server Outages: 49% of server outages lead to more than $100,000 in data loss expenses for businesses. 
• IT Leaders Survey: In a 2022 survey, 76% of IT leaders reported experiencing a severe loss of critical data in the past year, and 45% of them lost data permanently. 

These statistics highlight the importance of implementing effective data protection strategies and the significant impact data loss can have on businesses. Regular backups, secure storage solutions, and comprehensive disaster recovery plans are essential to mitigate these risks. Read also "Protect your data from insider threats".

Reasons of data losses 

Hard drive failures, accidental deletions, ransomware attacks, and power surges can all cause permanent data loss. Backups provide copies of your data, allowing you to restore it if any of these incidents occur. In case of larger catastrophes like floods or fires, backups stored offsite ensure you don't lose critical data entirely. Data loss can significantly disrupt business operations. Having a recovery plan with readily available backups minimizes downtime and allows you to resume functioning quickly. In essence, data backup and recovery provide a safety net, guaranteeing that even if your primary data is compromised, you can retrieve it and carry on without significant setbacks. Watch "Data Protector and Disaster Recovery".

Here are the most common reasons for data losses: 

• Human Error: Mistakes made by users, such as accidental deletion of files or spillage of liquids on devices. 
• Theft: Loss of data due to stolen hardware like laptops or external drives. 
• Software Corruption: Data can become corrupted due to software malfunctions, code bugs, or conflicts between programs. 
• Computer Viruses: Malicious software can corrupt, delete, or encrypt data, making it inaccessible. 
• Hardware Impairment: Physical damage to storage devices can lead to data loss, such as hard drive failures. 
• Natural Disasters: Events like floods, fires, or earthquakes can destroy hardware and the data stored on them. 
• Power Failure: Sudden power outages or surges can result in loss of unsaved data or damage to hardware. 

It's important to have a robust backup and recovery system and follow best practices for data management to mitigate the risk of data loss. Regular backups and a robust recovery plan are a good way to protect your data. 

Using OpenText Data Protector to protect from data losses 

OpenText Data Protector is designed to provide comprehensive protection against data loss in various IT environments. Here are some key features that contribute to its data protection capabilities: 

• Unified Architecture: It offers a scalable architecture that enables centralized data protection across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. 
• Application Consistent Recovery: It integrates with business applications for server backup, automated point-in-time recovery, and granular restores. 
• Deduplication: This feature improves performance and storage efficiency by eliminating redundant data. 
• Enhanced Automated Disaster Recovery: It automatically collects relevant environment information to package OS data and configuration files in a single image. 
• Ransomware Protection: Data Protector includes anomaly detection to safeguard against cyber-attacks. 
• Integrated Reporting: It offers detailed management reports, schedule status, audits, and compliance to effectively monitor the backup environment. 

These features help ensure that data is protected and can be recovered efficiently in case of loss, thereby maintaining business continuity and minimizing potential downtime and financial impact. 

Explore how OpenText Data Protector can help your organization to ensure data integrity and data protection. 

Request a free trial of OpenText Data Protector  

Learn more about Cloud data backup and restore  

Already a Data Protector customer? Learn what is new in the latest version. 

Read about data backup and resiliency  

Read what analysts say about Data Protector 

Read what a customer is saying about Data Protector 

Watch the Data Protector videos on YouTube 

Follow OpenText Portfolio on LinkedIn to remain up-to-date on Data Protector.

Sources: 

• https://truelist.co/blog/data-loss-statistics/ 
• https://earthweb.com/data-loss-statistics/  
• https://invenioit.com/continuity/data-loss-statistics/  

Be sure to connect with OpenText on LinkedIn.

Keep up with the latest Tips & Info about Data Protector. 

Do you have an idea or Product Enhancement Request about Data Protector? Submit it in the Data Protector Idea Exchange. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this blog. Comment below.

The Online Community Team