DATA DISASTER RECOVERY
Last Updated: September 19, 2007

GENERAL STATEMENT
The University Union strives to reduce the risk of crucial data loss. The Disaster Recovery Policy recognizes that, while risks of loss are always present, there are steps that can be taken to manage them responsibly.

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
The University Union Operation of CSU, Sacramento will maintain a secure and reliable file server on which event data, documents, spreadsheets and other crucial data are stored. It is recognized that program software can always be restored under our site licenses; the data created through that software is unique and must be protected.

The Union file server has two mirrored drives that read and write data simultaneously. This feature greatly reduces the chances of both drives crashing simultaneously. Nevertheless, several steps are taken on a regular basis to store the data in secure locations.

Event reservation data (EMS) is the most important in terms of impact on customers and the overall operation of the Union. This data is stored on the two mirrored drives of the file server and is backed up every night to a remote machine. It is also backed up weekly onto a DAT tape that is run every Thursday evening and is stored in a secure location off campus through an MOU with UCCS. At any point in time, data can be restored in a worst-case scenario to within 8 hours of creation. Paper records are kept of all EMS transactions as additional storage and retrieval.

Text, database and spreadsheet documents are also stored on the server and are backed up weekly via the DAT tape above. At any point in time, data can be restored in a worst-case scenario to within 7 days of creation. Paper records are kept of all reservation transactions as an additional storage and retrieval option.


BUSINESS CONTINUATION

RESERVATION DATA
EMS data, since it is backed up to an FTP site at the end of every business day, can be restored up to the close of business on the previous workday within a few minutes. EMS data processed between the previous day’s close of business and a system crash would need to be restored from the paper records kept as part of our standard reservation procedures. Any Windows-compatible computer can be used for a full EMS restoration. If necessary a desktop or laptop computer may be purchased locally and used to fully restore reservation data within four hours.

ALL OTHER DATA
All other file server data is backed up on Thursday evening. However, retrieval of the data tape would take up to 24 hours, so restoration of all other data would take at most 24 hours. Any data processed between the most recent Thursday and a system crash would need to be restored from the paper records.

Individuals are strongly encouraged to store data on the file server, not on their individual hard drives.


NETWORK SECURITY
The campus network provides a high level of firewall security. As a domain on the campus network backbone we are afforded the same security as all campus servers.