ABSTRACT
There are six distinct elements in a data protection system: people; processes and documentation; service-level agreements (SLAs); testing; training; and technology. The best way to efficiently achieve the data protection is to combine all three-backup, storage, and virtualization-into a single functioning team for the business. The designers or the architects of the data protection environment have the critical responsibility of ensuring that the system as architected and subsequently implemented meets the business requirements for protecting data. This includes both the proactive and reactive components. Once a data protection system has been designed, it has to be implemented, and documentation will be of critical importance to satisfy a service transition manager that there is sufficient explanation of the environment to enter an ongoing operational phase. Testing is critical for adequate assurance of data protection capabilities. Testing will be integrated where data protection activities are integrated.
