Remote Offsite Backup Wins Over Local Hard Drive Storage

The odds are 1 in 4 that you will lose all the data on your hard drive due to a virus, hacker or natural disaster, such as a fire, flood, or earthquake. 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 look at the four most common methods of data storage reveals that they do not all offer the same benefits and safety.

Maybe you already backup your data to a CD or DVD, but these disks are not always secure. Although the files might copy just fine onto the disks, over time these disks can become damaged making the files impossible or very difficult to recover. And if you are like me and don’t have the self-discipline to manually back up your data onto disk, then weeks and months of work will be at risk. In addition, your files will be compromised if they are stolen because CD and DVD backups usually don’t involve data encryption.

Another popular method for backing up data is on an external tape storage system or a second internal hard drive. These devices work well if they have not also been damaged or otherwise corrupted in the same flood, fire, or lightning strike as the original hard drive. And don’t forget theft. And some reports say that up to half of all attempts to recover data on tape backups do fail.

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 data storage and recovery is a rather effortless procedure:

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. For secure storage, respectable offsite data backup providers store your files in highly secure “vaults” that are maintained and observed 24 hours a day.

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.

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