I'm facing a tough situation with our backup systems running close to full capacity. We have two VM clusters that host both live virtual machines and act as backups for each other, but both are over 90% full. Unfortunately, my supervisor, who is extremely busy, hasn't responded to my repeated attempts to address this issue. I've already trimmed down existing data, but there's still not enough space to perform backups. If one cluster fails, we could lose VMs, which is a scary prospect. I can't escalate this further since my supervisor is the highest IT authority in the company. What steps can I take to cover myself in case something goes wrong?
5 Answers
You have a couple of options here. First, consider informing everyone in the chain of command about the risk of not addressing this storage issue. Be clear about what will happen if no action is taken. Second, if you still don't hear back, you might mention your plan to delete older backups to free up space. This way, your supervisor can't claim ignorance if something goes wrong.
Definitely! And make sure to document that you gave them the heads-up.
You might also want to ascertain your backup retention policy. Have you removed backups that are no longer needed? Plus, consider writing up a risk assessment for the management showing just how critical the situation is. Cite any existing policies and the possible impacts on operations if data isn't backed up properly.
The details matter, too. How many VMs are at risk, and what backup solution are you using? Knowing specifics can help in negotiations for any upgrades.
I recommend drafting an email that outlines the situation, CC'ing both your supervisor and their manager. Break it down into immediate and long-term solutions—like temporarily accepting the risk of not backing up less critical workloads and suggesting a budget for more storage. This way, you're making your concerns visible beyond just your supervisor.
Honestly, stressing so much over CYA is a bit misplaced. Sure, keep documentation, but remember that companies can let employees go without reason. It might not change anything, so weigh the importance of internal warnings against your own stress levels.
I hear you. But just in case, covering your bases won’t hurt in the long run.
Agreed, but some level of documentation can help if push comes to shove.
That's a solid approach! Making them aware of the consequences could be the push needed to get a response.