Disaster can strike at any time, and regardless of whether a business is facing a major catastrophe or something as simple as spilling water on a keyboard, it is a good idea to take steps to prepare for different potential disaster scenarios. One option to consider is to back up your data using a an offsite backup solution.
Offsite backup defined
When IT providers talk about offsite backups they may be referring to any one of a number of different configurations. But the key idea revolving around offsite backup is that your company’s data and backups are sent to and stored at an outside location. In other words, your backups are not stored in your office or building.
Offsite backup is usually done in one of two ways:
- Physical transport – This can range from something as simple as copying important files onto a removable hard drive and storing the drive in another location, to backing up entire systems on tape and storing the tapes off site.
- Remote backup – This is a more modern approach to data backup, whereby your data and files are stored on servers located off site. This form of backup is commonly referred to as ‘cloud backup’.
For the purpose of this article, we will focus on remote backup as this is the option most companies are using today.
Benefits of remote backup
1. It’s more reliable
The major benefit of remote backup is that it can be automated. Your files are updated on a daily basis, or at another interval that you select. Because the data moves over the Internet, you can recover files quickly, and the data is usually stored on multiple servers in multiple locations, which ensures that your backups are always available, even if one server crashes.
2. It reduces workload
Traditional backup solutions require a person to manually back up or copy files. This can take time, and will take that person away from their normal work duties. Remote backup solutions can be initiated at the click of a mouse, or can be scheduled for when you aren’t in the office.
3. It’s easy to set up
Backup solutions are managed by an IT partner who can work with you to set up which files and data are to be backed up. Other solutions can be set up with a few clicks or even automated, so you can rest assured that your data is backed up and up-to-date.
4. It’s secure
Backup providers store their servers in secure locations, meaning that your data is physically secure, and use advanced encryption tools to keep data secure while in transit.
5. It will save money
If you have multiple computers with large amounts of data that you back up regularly, you know that physical storage solutions can be costly. The majority of remote backup solutions are billed on a monthly basis and offer a near-unlimited amount of backup space. If your company operates in an industry where backups are mandatory, or you have a large amount of files to back up, these options will save you money.
If you are interested in learning more about how offsite, remote backup can help ensure that your business is ready for disaster recovery, please contact us today.
