Remote or Online Backup
A Backup Article Contributed by Pearlyn Williams
What is Remote or Online Backup?
Remote or online backup works like regular data backup, but with an important difference. Remote Backup sends the files to be backed up over the Internet, regular telephone lines, or other network connections to your online backup server safely offsite, instead of to a tape drive or other media attached to the computer it is backing up. It usually does this outside of peak hours (mainly at night).
The entire process is usually automatic, and you may even forget about it. With more and more businesses depending on the data stored in their computers, services like online or remote backup are gradually becoming more popular.
Advantages to Remote or Online Backup
Online Backups are usually done on schedule. The services capitalize on the fact that most companies and individuals do not carry out regular backup procedures. Often this is due to negligence on the part of the persons responsible for doing, or someone could be using the computer when it is the scheduled time for a backup, or they may simply forget. Since remote backups are done with automated software at the least busy periods, it is much more likely that they will be done on schedule.
A part of the process of Remote Backup is to reevaluate the computer system, and add files to the backup as needed. The essential element of a proper backup requires redundancy, and it is necessary to keep multiple copies of the same files at different points in their creation.
Securing Your Backup Data
Remote Backups are usually encrypted for additional security, whereas, tape backups are not generally encrypted, leaving them vulnerable to all and sundry. And, valuable information such as client database, billing records, payroll, tax info, can be difficult or impossible to replace. Not to mention, the loss of these could bring a company to its knees.
Finally, and of utmost importance - Backups are instantly sent offsite and stored safely away from the clients' computers or their premises. Unless an offsite policy is employed, the best of backup strategy can be an act of futility, if when all is said and done, the backup media cannot be physically recovered after it is discovered that they too suffered the same fate as the computers.
The reality of this is immediate evident in the case of a fire or flood or an earthquake. But it is also critical when trying to recover from such emergencies where a business may be forced to evacuate its premises quickly, with no time to gather such items. It is very possible for a business to go out of business simply because they don't have access to their data, as it is not always possible to start over again.
Remote Backup is one solution that many businesses are employing to avoid this problem mainly because of its offsite storage feature. It gives a good feeling and peace of mind to companies and individuals using such a service knowing that their data is at their safest.
