Offsite Data Protection is Better than CDs
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? In addition, if you own a business, your chances are 1 in 2 that your business will fail if you lose your all or most of your data. There are many ways to backup your data, but they are not all equally safe.
Most personal computer users, if they backup at all, will back up to a CD or DVD, but this is not always safe. 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. Also, if your backed up files on CD or DVD are stolen, the thief will easily recover all of your data because they are probably not going to be encrypted.
Another popular method for backing up data is on an external tape storage system or a second internal hard drive. You will likely be able to recover data easily with these devices but only if they have not been corrupted or damaged along with the original hard drive in the same natural disaster or virus attack. And don’t rule out the theft option. And industry research reveals that tape backup can fail to recover files up to 50% of the time.
The easiest and most secure way to regularly backup all of your data with little or no effort on your part is by utilizing an online or offsite data storage company. Offsite backup services usually involve a simple process:
Local Software Installation
First, you’ll have to install a program that works with the server of the online storage provider. The program can take up to 30 minutes to install and set up.
Initial Backup of Entire System
Second, to back up files over the internet, you need to have a cable modem, DSL or T1 line. Third, schedule a complete system backup during a convenient time. All reputable offsite data backup providers store your data in server “vaults” second in safety only to that of the FBI and CIA, so don’t worry about that!
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 should also receive an encryption code unique only to you to access your online storage.
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.