We've talked quite a bit about the problems with PST files. These PSTs, or Personal Folders files, are Outlook data files that store messages and other items on a computer. This is the most common method by which home users and small organizations archive and manage their Outlook information.
Because PSTs are so common, many SME and enterprise users find PST files to be a convenient way to manage their company mailboxes, even if PSTs aren't supported by the organization. PST archives are easy to configure, easy to save, and easy to access. This is a dream come true for users who don't understand the risks.
On the other hand, PST files can be a massive headache for System Administrators. These files circumvent retention and compliance policies, and put the disaster recovery process at risk. We've discussed these problems before:
- Ignoring PST data is a risk companies shouldn’t take
- Do PST Files impact eDiscovery?
- Reasons to Archive – PST Management
- And there are a number of other posts here.
Anyone who manages messaging systems knows that PST files ultimately cost the company money. In this infographic, we've detailed seven specific problems that SysAdmins struggle to manage.

If you would like more information on how Barracuda can help you manage PST files, visit our Barracuda PST Enterprise solution website.

Christine Barry is Senior Chief Blogger and Social Media Manager at Barracuda. In this role, she helps bring Barracuda stories to life and facilitate communication between the public and Barracuda internal teams. Prior to joining Barracuda, Christine was a field engineer and project manager for K12 and SMB clients for over 15 years. She holds several technology credentials, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Master of Business Administration. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
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