Remote Backup
Thursday, 11 June 2009 20:19 | 
Author: Kristopher | 
When you think about it, all the important information in your life is now stored on a computer. Whether it's photos and music, or business documents and financial records, everything is digital. Unfortunately, data loss happens. Hard drives crash, drinks spill, and files are accidentally deleted. One major disadvantage to local backups (backups where the data that is transferred stays within the same building), is that the data is only as safe as the building it is in. What happens in the case of a fire, burglary, flooding, or storm damage? Local backups are inexpensive and efficient, but can be prone to loss that is beyond your control. Remote backup is a viable option for those that have these concerns or just do not want to deal with local backups.
Remote Data Backup
Automated online backup programs require only an Internet connection, a small software program, and a few minutes of your time. To perform a backup, you simply install the software on every computer containing data you want to back up; set up a backup schedule; and identify the files and folders to be copied. The software then sends copies of the files to a remote repository via the Internet.
With local storage, all the data is within your reach - and therein lies both its value and its risk. You can always access your information when necessary, but that information is vulnerable to loss, whether through theft (someone breaking in and stealing computer equipment) or damage (such as a leaky water pipe or a natural disaster). Online remote backup moves the data out of your office and to a third-party facility, usually a large, shared datacenter. This means you don't incur the capital expense of purchasing backup equipment, and in the event of a disaster you can still recover critical data (assuming you choose a remote facility outside the radius of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or other potential disasters).
Automation is another key benefit to remote backup. A software program won't forget to make an extra copy of a critical folder; a harried employee at the end of a busy week might. By taking the backup task out of your hands you avoid the problem of, "I forgot."
How do you choose a remote backup provider?
For those who need secure, easy remote storage, there are companies who specialize in serving remote storage needs. These companies have secure Internet connections and dedicated servers that can automatically download and protect your important files. Some companies offer technical support to help you replace lost or corrupted files, most guarantee to be up and running nearly 100% of the time, and some even have remote storage of their own, saving your files in two or more different physical locations.
When shopping for a provider, ask to speak with one or two customers who have used that provider. You should also ask for specifics about each provider's storage facilities. The following are some other important questions to ask:
- Has the provider built its own data center, or do they co-locate with a third-party provider?
- What redundancy have they built into their system to ensure that your data will always be available? For instance, do they make backups of your backup?
- Will your information be kept on hard disk or moved to tape? How do they secure physical access to the equipment where data is stored?
- Will your data be stored in a secure facility?
- Who has network access to the machines that store your data?
- Does the backup provider automatically encrypt your data? (Some services recommend that you encrypt your own data before backup.)
You should also discuss pricing. Are there additional charges to the base price? Will the company notify you if you are nearing your allotted storage capacity, and how much do they charge if you exceed that capacity?
Some final considerations are the ease of setting up and using the remote backup software, choosing files and folders for backup, setting up a schedule, and, especially, getting files back if you lose them.
Final Thoughts
We're all familiar with the importance of saving often, and most of us try to remember to back up our important files. For the really vital data, remote backup is the best way to secure your files against all manner of problems and disasters. If any of your data makes you say, "I would be unable to run my business if this were lost," or, "All my precious photos and music would be lost," it deserves remote backup.
