Sensitive data sent over networks can be protected by encryption , which is the process of converting data into unreadable characters. System Failure A system failure is a prolonged malfunction of a computer system. A common reason for system failures is electrical power variation, which can result in loss of data or immediate and permanent damage to hardware. An undervoltage occurs when the electrical supply drops. An overvoltage , or power spike , occurs when the incoming electrical power increases significantly above the normal 120 volts.
Backup procedures specify a regular plan of copying and storing key data and program files.
A full backup duplicates all files in the computer. A differential backup duplicates only the files that have changed since the last full backup . An incremental backup duplicates only the files that have changed since the last full or incremental backup. A disaster recovery plan describes the steps an organization would take to restore computer operations in the event of a disaster. A disaster recovery plan has four major components.