“Two is One, One is None”
Safeguarding your valuable footage is paramount. The adage "Two is one, one is none" underscores the importance of redundancy in data backup.
In this blog, we will delve into a comprehensive backup process designed for video production, ensuring your client projects are secure at every stage.
By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how to implement a robust backup strategy that offers peace of mind and professionalism.
REMEMBER: Whilst we use the media production standpoint, any business looking to backup their data and use these principles and understanding to improve their data safeguarding.
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The Lifecycle of a Client Shoot: Creating Immediate Backups
When embarking on a client project, the first step is to ensure redundancy during the shoot itself. My primary camera, the Panasonic GH5, is equipped with dual slot recording. This feature allows me to create an instant backup on the fly, fulfilling the "Two is one" principle.
While many consumer devices, such as mobile phones or drones, lack this capability, I recommend backing up the data immediately after the shoot.
This can be done using a laptop, an external SSD drive, or a specialised device that enables SD to SSD backup without needing a laptop or mobile phone. This practice ensures that even if the original device fails, you have a secondary copy ready.
Addressing "One is None"
Backing Up the Backup
Having one backup is not enough. Should anything go wrong with that single backup, you're left vulnerable. To avoid this, we need to back up the backup. At home, I use two types of external drives: a working external drive and a backup external drive.
Copying to the Working External Drive: The SD cards are first copied to the working external drive. This drive is actively used for editing the client's work. However, as this drive is subject to changes, it cannot be considered a true backup.
Copying to the Backup External Drive: Independently, the SD cards are also copied to the backup external drive. This process ensures that any issues during the initial copying process do not propagate to the backup. By copying directly from the SD cards to both drives, we mitigate the risk of errors.
At this stage, we have the following backups:
SD card of the client shoot
SD backup of the client shoot
External working drive backup of the client shoot
External backup of the client shoot
Mitigating Onsite Risks: Online and Offline Backup Solutions
All the above backups are stored onsite, making them vulnerable to physical damage from fire or burglary. To counter this, we employ an online backup service. This service continuously uploads the data from our backup drives, ensuring we have an external copy. Note that this can be time-consuming, depending on your internet upload speed and the volume of data.
Should we need to retrieve this data, we can either download it or request an external hard drive from the provider, allowing for swift restoration.
The next step in our offline backup strategy involves purchasing another external hard drive with sufficient capacity to store all existing backups. This drive is then stored offsite in a secure, accessible location. Although we have yet to implement this step, it is an important consideration for comprehensive data security.
Recap: A Robust Backup Strategy
To summarise, our backup process includes:
SD card of the client shoot
SD backup of the client shoot
External working drive backup of the client shoot
External backup of the client shoot
External online backup of the client shoot
External offline location backup of the client shoot
For a solo media production owner, this method keeps the backup process straightforward, scalable, and reasonably affordable. Regardless of your industry, adopting a similar approach can safeguard your data and ensure the safety of the information you hold.
Peace of Mind Through Redundancy
Implementing a robust backup strategy is not just a necessity for media production but for any business that values its data. By following the principles outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your valuable footage and client projects are protected against any unforeseen events. Remember, in the world of data backup, redundancy is key. Adopt the "Two is one, one is none" philosophy and secure your business against data loss.
ABOUT ME
My name is Byron Phillips and I run Datrysiad Media.
Datrysiad Media is a video production company based in Cardiff. We help businesses with their pain problems and communicate their stories.
We are a full-service video production that can handle every aspect of the video production process. Creating high-quality video content that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
