Did you know that cloud based backup is a safer and often more affordable option?

TRADITIONAL BACKUP
Data backup is the act of copying and archiving of computer data so it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event such as a power outage, cyber security breach, device failure, fire, flood or natural disaster.
Traditional backups use removable storage devices such as external hard disk drives, tapes or optical discs to record and store data. Utilising removable storage for backup is fast becoming a thing of the past due to the pain points commonly associated with them.These pain points include:

– Manual processes and high risk of human error: Removable storage requires ongoing manual processes in order to run the backups. Someone must setup the removable storage to perform the backup and physically remove it off-site daily. All it takes is a simple human error such as incorrectly loading the storage, or forgetting to setup the backup or remove the media from site to be at risk of losing your valuable data.

– Storage capabilities: as your business grows, so do your storage requirements.  Removable storage has set limitations to the amount of data it can hold and thus lacks the flexibility to grow with your organisation. When your backup data outgrows your storage capacity, the only option is to purchase new storage devices in order to successfully complete your backups. As it is difficult to scope your future storage requirements, this method is not a cost-effective solution for any business in the long run.

– Offsite Rotation Schedule: The physical nature of removable backup media limits the offsite rotation of the backup to a single occurrence. All backup files are taken offsite at the same schedule. Increasing the occurrence of the offsite job significantly increases the complexity of job management and requires additional investment in media.

 

THE CLOUD AS A WAY OF MOVING RECOVERY DATA OFF-SITE

More recently, there has been a shift toward moving recovery data off-site using the Cloud. Several factors have come together to make moving data off-site more simple and efficient:

– The cost of shifting massive amounts of data over the Internet has declined dramatically.

– Broadband speeds continue to increase, making it feasible to shift gigabytes of data every day between an on-premises location and the Cloud.

– The cost of storing vast quantities of data in the Cloud has declined dramatically.

– Utilising Cloud technology, rather than dealing with the complexities of ensuring physical media is physically transported from the location to a secure off-site facility,  means recovery data can be transmitted over you organisation’s Internet connection and stored in the Cloud.

 

BENEFITS OF CLOUD BACKUP

– Automatic/no human interaction: Cloud backup solutions eliminate the need for a member of staff assigned to having to physically remove data from site. Once the initial setup is performed, the backup automatically runs and is sent off-site at predetermined times set by you.  This reduces the risks of human error and frees your staff from ongoing manual tasks.

– Unlimited storage & scalability: Unlike removable storage, Cloud storage is virtually unlimited and allows you to easily accommodate any rapid data growth you may experience. The best part? You only pay for what you use!

– Multiple/granular offsite copies: Unlike traditional backups, a Cloud solution enables you to backup multiple copies of data throughout the day to a secure off-site location. You can backup as much or as little data as you like, whenever you like. The benefits of this include reducing the costs by having a leaner scope of storage requirements and increasing options for recovery of your data.Taking a Cloud based backup approach isn’t an all or nothing proposition.  A hybrid Cloud approach is more likely to be successful in many cases, as many organizations often need some level of on-premises protected data storage capacity.

DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN

Backups should from part of a solid Disaster Recovery plan to ensure that if disaster strikes, you are back up and running in a reasonable time frame. With even small data losses – those with fewer than 100 files lost – estimated to cost between $18,120 and $35,7301: understanding how long it will take you to recover your data, and knowing much downtime your business can afford, is imperative when planning for Disaster Recovery.Security, Internet speed, compliance, backup and recovery time… There are many variables that need to be considered when implementing a Cloud-based backup and disaster recovery solution.With so much to consider, the key to success is finding the right partner to guide you through the journey. Allow Blackbird IT to help make disaster recovery in the cloud work for you.