Remote Data Backup

A Backup Article Contributed by Melissa Larose

Remote Data Backup

Remote backup. It sounds so easy as if you really do not have to do much work to make it happen. But does it happen that easily? What are its trouble spots? Is it affordable? Why would you want to backup your data to a remote site? And where is that remote site?

Remote Backup and Data

Data backup is the cornerstone of data recovery. Without a sound and thoroughly tested backup plan your business could be at risk of losing data. How you choose to structure that plan is up to you. The choices are numerous and are dependent on the type of business you conduct and the processes and network systems you have in practice. Remote backup is just one of those choices.

The availability of your data is needed to survive disaster events and to retain a competitive edge in the marketplace. One day down, one week down, one month down, depending on what you sell is a dangerous proposition. Many companies do not survive. The ability to restore your data and your whole network in a timely manner is paramount to continuity. What are your company's expectations where their data is concerned? Have you got your competitor beat when it comes to data protection? If a disaster comes down the line, will you be up and running before they are?

Remote Backup and Other Types of Backup

Hopefully it is safe to say that traditional backup is practiced mostly by small business enterprises. The disadvantages of using it in larger enterprises are so many that if any large company is using it they are definitely in need of a recovery plan makeover. Traditional backup plans are cumbersome, costly, inefficient and recovery is painstakingly so if the data is at a large volume.

Automated backup processes and software is a much speedier and cost effective choice. Depending on your investment in a network, its hardware and the software choices you have made, much of an automated backup plan can be run in the background while business is taking place in the foreground.

The real backup clincher, though, is remote backup. Remote backup allows you to backup to a remote site. Your data is stored at the remote site along with a full backup of your system. Depending on the remote backup service that you choose, your remote site could be a thousand miles away. Pretty safe bet you won't lose your data to the same natural disaster as your remote site. And the cost, depending on your requirements, falls into the generally affordable range.

Some Remote Backup Issues

Remote backup is a mirror of your network. The idea is that you can return to normal business practice quickly if you have a mirrored site remotely located. The problem with remote or mirrored sites is that they are just as affected by electrical outages as the original site and that means the data can be easily corrupted. In addition, the remote site is also susceptible to any disaster the original site may be susceptible to. Make sure the remote backup site has a disaster recovery plan that protects your data as well as you would.