Re: Off-site backup storage Was: Managing PTF's...Strategy?

["Ilena E. Ayala" <Ilena@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One advantage of having an employee store them at their home is relatively
quick access (depending on where the employee lives).  If that's an issue,
it should be reviewed periodically-what if they move
further away, for example?

If you are looking at storage in a bank vault, ask how to get to them in
the off hours.  Some banks may be able to accomadate you.  Others may not;
the ones that won't grant access during off hours (weekends for example)
may still be a viable option, *if* the delay  is considered acceptable. 
(Don't forget about three day weekends.)  If you get someones pager # to
use find out if it's "theirs" or the banks-in case they leave the company,
and check the contact/emergency info periodically.

Disadvantages-I've seen cases where the tapes were left in the car (ie, in
the hot sun).  The employee needs to be aware of the importance of storing
them at reasonable temperatures.   There is also
the risk that the employee may not return them if multiple concurrent
emergencies arise. This can be an issue in areas at risk for disasters such
as earthquake, fire or flood-their family may well take priority over
getting the tapes to a DR site.  

There is some risk if the employee taking the tapes home becomes an
ex-employee and has possession of old tapes, because you may have
difficulty getting them back.  The possibility that an employee on good
terms with the company would have the tapes stolen at the same time they
are needed exists, but it's an unlikely combination, and often considered
an acceptable risk.

-Ilena Ayala

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