Off Site Data Backup Saves Time and Money

Did you know that you have a 1 in 4 chance of losing all of your pictures, music, spreadsheets, reports, programs, and everything electronically valuable due to a natural disaster or an evil virus programmer? Not only that, almost 50% of businesses that lose their data go out of business permanently, report industry analysts. There are many ways to backup your data, but they are not all equally safe.

Maybe you already backup your data to a CD or DVD, but these disks are not always secure. You might believe that the disk copied the files perfectly, but many times when you need the data, the files are corrupted or missing due to damaged disks or other technical failures. And if you forget or fail to put the disk in the computer and perform the manual backup, then hundreds of hours of work and files will be vulnerable to loss. Not only that, CD and DVD backups are not encrypted so they are vulnerable in case of theft.

Another way to store your computer’s data is to copy everything to an internal or external hard drive, or a tape backup system. Recovery of data is easy with these solutions but only if the cloned hard drive or tape backup is not damaged in the same fire or flood in which your original hard drive was damaged. And don’t forget the possibility of theft. And some reports say that up to half of all attempts to recover data on tape backups do fail.

The easiest and most worry-free way to secure your files is with the services of an off site data storage company. Off site data backup is fairly effortless and involves the following:

Local Software Installation

First you’ll install a small application that interfaces with the backup server of the online data backup provider. Setting up the program usually takes about 20-30 minutes.

Initial Backup of Entire System

Second, you’ll need a broadband connection, such as a cable modem, DSL, or T1 line. Third, you will want to schedule your first full backup during off-peak hours so that it doesn’t interrupt your other important computer traffic. All respectable off site data backup providers secure your files in high security “vaults” that make the CIA envious, so don’t worry about your files.

Web Management System

Finally, from almost any web connection anywhere in the world, you should be able to schedule regular online backups, verify the safety of your backed up files and retrieve them on demand, if a web interface is offered. You might also receive an encryption code known only to you to keep your files safe.

I’ll end this report with a wise maxim: don’t worry about data loss, worry about not having a recovery strategy. To secure your business, learn more data backup strategies at Data Backup Solutions.