Data integrity reply
Reply to Nathaniel Smyth and Zachariah Crawford discussion posts below. 100 words per reply.
Nathanael Smyth
Disaster Recovery and Data Integrity are very much closely intertwined as they usually are implemented the same way and how they identify the top-down key serves that are needed to be responded to in a timely manner. However, Data Integrity is more the prevention versus the aftermath of a disaster. The same planning may go into both such as legal obligations, damage limitations, and preparation in how to prevent and mitigate the disaster. When it comes down to how much I feel is necessary in both Disaster Recovery and Data Integrity, I feel that Proverbs 10:9 “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed,” applies nicely in the situation of which one is more important because it is better to “walk safely”, meaning being prepared for anything that may breakthrough than to deal with an aftermath due to negligence in data integrity. That’s not to say that everyone, and everything, is perfect and everyone “walks safely”; even with the best Data Integrity policies, things still can happen and thus it is necessary to have procedures in place that could help with Data Recovery. There could be many ways that one could show ethical opportunities where I could show my faith in Christ in Data Integrity. In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, it states But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.” as to say that if you live with integrity, our minds are clear and our intentions are pure. To break it down further, I believe this is best demonstrated as if you aren’t doing anything wrong, you have nothing to fear”. Someone could witness this action that I would take and wonder that there is something different with me and that’s where I would tell them I put my faith in Jesus Christ.
Zachariah Crawford
Disasters can strike at any time, and it is up to the company to be prepared for them. Data integrity is an integral part of this process; if the data is corrupted because of a disaster, recovery is made exponentially more difficult. In turn, you can reduce the impact of disasters by actively maintaining the integrity of your data through checksums and regular backups. Both items are linked together in a way that makes them like two interlocked phone books (Mythbusters S06E05) – the friction from connecting them perfectly will prevent the entire thing from falling apart, but doing it halfway will come apart easily. As a result, both are vital to risk management and I don’t believe either should be placed above the other in terms of importance. As far as ethical opportunities to show faith while being involved in data integrity, the simplest answer is that any good analysis by a believer will keep Luke 16:10 (ESV) in mind: One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much.” This can start with an employee who is not directly involved in the maintenance process who ensures the integrity of the data they handle, and grow from there. From experience, that kind of behavior is noticed and often rewarded by leadership. Much like any activity that involves living out your faith, it also has the potential to lead to conversations about why, which naturally flows into sharing the Gospel with the asker.
