Online Backup Storage
A Backup Article Contributed by Melissa Larose
Online Backup Storage
Online backup storage should always be safe and reliable. With online backup services businesses can protect their data and feel confident that their data storage is available when needed. Online backup provides extra storage without the need to store it in your own space but with flexible access.
Online Backup is Data Storage Made Simple
Making your data available whenever and wherever it is needed is the greatest advantage of using an online backup service. Protecting your valued data against virus attacks, sabotage, and hard drive crashes, not to mention natural disaster and electrical outages means your business has a level of continuity unheard of in the past.
Some online backup service plans require daily backups and some require up to the minute backups by recording only those changes to the data files that have taken or are taking place. Although storage itself is at an all time low in cost, the software and training required to use the software that makes the backups occur simultaneously is a huge investment both financially and in time required. Using an online backup service can save you money and employee hours that are not billable.
Online Backup Requires Some Guarantees
When shopping for an online backup service there are some things you want to make sure are in your final contract. First you want a guarantee of availability. Your data should always be available to your IT staff and anyone needing access 24/7. Disasters and the need for recovery know no time frame. They can happen at any time of day or night and you want to be prepared by having access to your data at all times.
Data must remain safe and inaccessible to those on the service end of your online backup. Encryption should be part of the agreed backup process when you hire an online backup service. The files should be encrypted before they leave your business network and should remain so until the time of access or recovery by your company. Any other performance level leaves your data open for viewing and should be unacceptable to your company.
Password protected entry to access your files is another level of protection. There should be several layers of passwords to identify company, department requesting the files, and finally the employee accessing the system.
In addition to the encryption process, the online backup service company should guarantee secure servers at all times for their customers. Their facility should be state of the art and be a disaster-proof building with a high level of security provided by trained personnel. The security provided should also be state of the art. All personnel should have background checks.
Online Backup = Safe Deposit
Having an online backups service is akin to having a safe deposit box for your data. You are storing documents that cannot be replaced and that if lost or damaged would compromise your business continuity. Online backup is a 24-hour safety measure that allows you flexibility and peace of mind.
