The Postal Service needs to modify its current data backup and storage requirements to ensure that essential, but not critical, data is available, the USPS inspector general has said in a management alert following a recent hardware failure resulting in data loss.
According to the IG, a hardware failure occurred in April that resulted in the loss of a Computer Incident Response Team database being used to record and monitor computer incidents. The backup was being stored on the same piece of hardware as the primary data and hardware failure wiped both out.
Management quickly updated and implemented backup procedures for a new a new CIRT database but there may be other essential databases used by other groups that are not backed up on separate hardware, according to Number IT-MA-14-001.
However, the IG called on the USPS to prohibit the practice of using the same hardware to maintain and back up noncritical information resources and issue a reminder that data backups are to be maintained in an appropriate location to reduce potential loss, damage, or misuse of essential data. Management agreed with the recommendations.
