Data Storage FAQ

Surprisingly, data and file loss can happen to anyone. Hard Drives fail. Files stored on your computer’s hard drive are only as safe and secure as their physical devices - theft, loss, and accidents happen.

Google Workspace files may be accidentally deleted. Google files are only kept in the trash for 30 days before being permanently deleted and becoming unrecoverable. Recent upticks in phishing and ransomware attacks make it more important than ever to backup your data. The only relatively painless way out of a ransomware attack is to have a current version of all of your data stored in a separate location.

Any data that might be important to Lewis & Clark College and/or contains confidential information should be backed up in the LCFiles system (J:Drive for departmental folders and H:Drive for individual folders). LCFiles is Lewis & Clark’s supported file storage system. Data stored in LCFiles if fully recoverable for up to a year.

If a file is important to your own work, but not critical to the college, there are a variety of backup solutions available. You may find it helpful to reference this storage matrix or use this flowchart to take you through your storage options depending on your situation and requirements.

Yes, each LC User has a combined quota of 25 GB of storage space for their J and H drive files. You may submit a ticket to the IT Service Desk to explain your storage needs to request increased storage space.

If the file you need is less than one year old and stored in LCFiles, please submit a Service Desk ticket and the IT department will restore your file.

Google keeps files that are placed in the trash for 30 days. After 30 days these files are not recoverable.

In the event that your hard drive fails, data restoration efforts can be made by outside data recovery specialists. However, these data recovery efforts are often quite expensive and are not always successful.

Please reference this help sheet for backing up your data.