Often when most think of protecting their data using either an on site or off-site solution, they typically just consider their desktop and if they have one, a home/business server. However, one of the most vulnerable data storage and processing devices we own, laptops are all too frequently overlooked.

Just think about it… we lug our laptops around in cabs, airports, libraries, branch offices and other sometimes remote and more hostile environments. So, why is it most don’t think twice about what would happen to our data, and our lives for that matter, should we experiencing an hard drive failure, virus or other data destroying event?

While no method is foolproof, I have developed my own backup routine for my own portable systems and often share it with my clients. As always, this method may not meet your specific needs, but that is not usually the purpose of my articles. Rather, I hope that I can stimulate you to develop your own methods to meet your needs. So, with the disclaimer out of the way, let’s get to it:

1. I recomend that if you have the hard drive space, that you use your favorite disc partitioning software (including the one built into Windows VISTA) to create two additional partitions. One will be for your data including documents, spreadsheets, music and other other personal data. The other is for your system backups leaving the primary partition for easy backups and restores of your operating system and programs. Move all your personal data to the data partition.
2. Once you have prepared your hard drive, the next step is to select an imaging solution. I use TrueImage, but the choice is yours. Now that you have your solution selected and installed, you should create an image of your primary partition by saving it to the backup partition that you created in the step above. Next, do the same for your personal data. If you solution gives you the option to span your images or limited their size, I recomend that you limit the size to the largest removable media format that your system can accommodate (DVD or CD) to make the next step possible.
3. Finally, burn those images to your removable media and keep them with you while on the road so that if you must replace the hard drive while traveling you can easily recover your data.
4. For added protection, I recomend that clients consider and automatic, off-site solution to ensure that you have access to the most recent data possible. While it takes a little more work, you can also backup your primary partition’s image off site as well.

A few final thoughts. Some may look at these steps as a hassle and, quite frankly a little overkill, I would much rather take a little time on the front end and be proactive that be reactive and in a panic should something go wrong. My method is not yours. There are many variations to these steps, like, using a small external hard drive rather DVDs/CDs. So, you should be creating and make it work for you! The important thing is that you prepare yourself for life’s road bumps before you hit the road.