How to choose a data recovery company
Many companies offer data recovery services. With so many choices, how do you decide who to entrust with your company’s digital capital, which has been compromised by data loss?
Solutions and services following data loss
Data recovery is a specialist business. In the event of loss, it is advisable to call on a specialist company with the expertise and resources to ensure a smooth recovery process.
How does data recovery work?
An expert data recovery company must be transparent and able to reassure the client company at every stage of the process:
- Delivery or hand-delivery of the storage medium, against acknowledgement of receipt, to the dedicated data recovery laboratory.
- Databack tip: a company that claims to provide remote or telephone diagnostics, unless it’s for a pre-diagnosis or situation assessment, should be viewed with suspicion.
- Diagnosis to determine the nature and extent of the data loss, and thus the feasibility and appropriate method of recovery.
- A breakdown report with a list of recoverable data can be supplied.
- A precise quotation for data recovery can only be drawn up once this diagnostic phase has been completed.
- Databack tip: many companies charge analysis or parts fees during the diagnostic phase. It is advisable to choose a laboratory offering a free diagnosis, guaranteed at no extra cost.
- Retrieval of data after decision and validation of quotation by customer company.
- Data is restored or extracted and, preferably, copied onto new storage media before being handed over to the customer.
- Databack tip: recovered data must be tested by the client company, so that any reading or operating problems can be reported as quickly as possible.
Laboratory recovery resources
Laboratories dedicated to data recovery have specialized resources and equipment at their disposal.
The cleanroom is essential for safe work on damaged storage media. Laminar flow hoods are used to control the concentration of particles in the air. Hard disks can thus be opened without the risk of dust particles damaging vulnerable components such as magnetic tracks.
Diagnostic and data recovery software is also used. This may be proprietary software developed in-house, better suited to the task than standard software available online. They enable data to be analyzed and extracted with less risk of permanent loss.
Choosing the right data recovery laboratory
The first attempt at data recovery is always the one with the best chance of success. Here’s how to choose the right lab for your storage media:
- Entrust your data recovery to a French company. Your service provider must not subcontract, let alone send your storage media abroad!
- Check out its certifications, authorizations and ethics. For example:
- Adherence to the charter of best practices for data recovery, defined by the SGDSN under the aegis of the High Official in charge of Economic Intelligence.
- Premises classified as a Zone à Régime Restrictif (ZRR) (restricted zone ) as part of the protection of the nation’s scientific and technical heritage (PPST).
- Check out its features to guarantee the security and confidentiality of your data :
- Secure premises, regulated access, …
- Storage of your data media (safe).
Data recovery should also be your service provider’s core business:
- Focus onexperience, as suggested by a few indicators:
- Research & Development activity.
- Professional reputation and customer references.
- Years of experience and number of cases handled.
- Success rate (there’s no such thing as a 100% success rate!).
- Look at dedicated resources and equipment:
- Acleanroom is a must.
- Diagnostic and/or recovery software developed in-house.
- Etc.
