Off Site Data Storage is Better than Local Backup Solutions

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? And if you are a business, you have a 1 in 2 chance of going out of business forever if you suffer a serious loss of data. A brief review of the following backup methods show that they do not all offer the same amount of safety.

CDs and DVDs are probably the most common way to back up files, but they don’t offer the kind of security that you might think they offer. Often data copies just fine to a CD or DVD, but when it’s time to recover the data, for various technical or mechanical reasons, it won’t recover when you need it the most. 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. In addition to that, your backed up files on CD or DVD are at risk in case of theft because the files are not encrypted.

Another popular method for backing up data is on an external tape storage system or a second internal hard drive. Recovery of data is easy with these solutions if the hard drive or tape storage is not damaged or corrupted by the same lightning, flood or fire in which the original drive was damaged. And theft is an option as well. In addition, up to 50% of recovery attempts fail with tape backups, say industry professionals.

The most effective way to ensure regular and secure file recovery is by using the services of an off site data backup company. Offsite backup services usually involve a simple process:

Local Software Installation

First, you will install a small program that talks to the online storage backup server. It takes up to a half hour to set up the program.

Initial Backup of Entire System

Second, backing up files of this sort requires a fast connection, such as with a cable modem, DSL line or a T1 line. Third, schedule a complete system backup during a convenient time. 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, many online providers offer a web control interface where you can schedule backups and retrieve files anytime. You should also receive an encryption code unique only to you to access your online storage.

  If you are looking for the perfect data backup strategy to protect your business, visit Data Backup Solutions.