The Internet Backup Service
A Backup Article Contributed by Melissa Larose
The Internet Backup Service
"Survey Shows" the Internet is fast becoming the backup service of choice for many large companies. There is a quiet revolution moving from backup to disk backup and this revolution has afforded an opportunity for Internet backup system service companies. Depending on the backup service you chose and their own architecture and service, an Internet backup service can prevent your network from damage by flood, viruses, power surge or deliberate damage.
A backup service could provide better security for your data. Your complete data and software world can disappear in moments due to an unforeseen event. A backup service could be your lifeline out that disaster.
A Backup Service the Internet Way
Internet backup services are not the new kid on the block. The services have been around for several years in the guise of various formats. When the original backup services came into existence they used tape media for storage purposes. The backup services were not touted much because of security issues. The Internet was a fairly new tool and there were huge security holes in about everything that happened there. The Internet, contrary to popular lore, is much more secure than it has ever been.
Virtual private networks, constant updates on virus species and better security tools, such as encryption and authentication, have lessened the hype a bit.
Storage media is becoming cheaper and cheaper as you read this. Disk drives are growing in storage capacity as we speak and the pricing structure is adjusting nicely as well. Large gigabyte drives are priced so cheaply that you have to buy one just to say you did. The low price for disk storage, the easy use Internet backup, and better security of data exchange have caused the Internet backup service to become extremely popular.
The Ease of a Backup Service
The great thing about a backup service is the ease of use. You don't have to have massive amounts of data and be called a large to use a backup service. If you are just a hobbyist and you want a safe backup location to put your photos or research Internet backup service can work for you too.
An Internet backup service should provide you with software to use in the download process. Once your initial backup has been made, further backups should only include information for files that are new, have been altered, as in changed, updated or deleted. The software will recognize the proper files, give you choices on when a download is to occur, and what files will be part of the backup. Identifying the initial settings and preferences puts you in control of your data.
You decide whether an Internet backup will be an automatic process. All downloads can occur in the background or Internet backup can occur as you allow. You decide because it's your data.
Internet Backup Service Must Haves
There are two things you should make sure your Internet backup service will offer you. Demand encryption and demand authentication. Encryption happens on your server before the data makes the trip across the web. The data should be compressed and then encrypted. A login and password process should begin the whole download process because it identifies the employee making the upload/download and protects your data from being viewed by unauthorized personnel.
