Offsite Data Protection Saves Businesses

Almost 1 in 4 computers have lost their data to hackers, viruses, and acts of nature. 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. You have a variety of choices for data backup, but they don’t all provide the same amount of data 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, your files will be compromised if they are stolen because CD and DVD backups usually don’t involve data encryption.

Many people are also backing up their data onto a second hard drive or tape storage, either internal or external. 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 it has been reported by industry experts that tape backups can fail in 1 out of 2 recovery attempts.

The best way to keep your backups current and safe is to utilize offsite data backup services that specialize in keeping your files automatically backed up and secure until you need them. 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. It takes up to a half hour to set up the program.

Initial Backup of Entire System

Second, you’ll need a broadband connection, such as a cable modem, DSL, or T1 line. Third, perform a full system backup during an opportune 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, your online provider might offer a webpage where you can download files and schedule backups. You should also be issued a unique encryption key to access your data.

  If you would like to learn more strategies for backing up your data and protecting your business investment, visit Data Backup Solutions.