Another tip in a series provided by the Offices of Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy

As the summer months rapidly approach, many people are busy preparing for well-deserved vacations, returning home, and other travels. Regardless of your destination, don’t forget to back up the documents, photos and other data on your electronic devices before leaving campus. Backing up your data is always important.  It becomes even more important prior to traveling due to the increased risk of loss resulting from theft and accidental damage. When you have a secure and complete backup, even if something terrible happens and you lose your device, knowing you still have your irreplaceable data will afford you some peace of mind­—and maybe help you enjoy the rest of your time away!

Your backups should not travel with you since they would be at risk as well. Either store them in a secure location or use a network backup that stores your data securely in the cloud. Many of the services you may already use such as Google, Amazon and Penn+Box have the ability to store your data.  Just make sure you understand what is being stored, where it is being stored, and how data is synced to the service to make sure your data is safe and accessible. For information about best practices to protect your data or assistance backing up your devices, contact your Local Support Provider (LSP). If you are unsure who your LSP is, please visit Get It Help.