The Importance of Off-Site Data Backups

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The value of data to any individual, business or firm is often higher than any other aspect of operations to the same. It is therefore for that very fact that data be protected by any reasonable means. Back up files on their own will protect the user from accidental, malicious and/or general hardware failures that would result in crucial data loss.

Off-site data backup on the other hand turns ‘data backup’ a notch higher by sending critical data out of the main location [out of the main site] for disaster recovery.

This article will describe in a nutshell why all businesses (large and small), as well as individuals should highly consider implementing off-site backup.

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When important files are deleted accidentally, or hardware on a workstation or server fails, invaluable data is lost to the business and with regard to invested time and resources; damage to affected departments may even be irreversible. At this point, data backup comes in play; the ability to restore lost or corrupt data from local storage media such as a backup external drives would save the situation with minimum loss turning the tragedy into a mere inconvenience.

However, in a case where the disaster associated is an act of God’ or nature (earthquakes, fire, tornados, etc.) and affects the local greater region—things can escalate from bad to worst with loss of both hardware AND data.

This is where off-site backup becomes an important consideration, the goal of which is placing some or all of your backup data elsewhere out of harm’s way. [Away from the site of operations].

 

Things to look out for when choosing an off-site data backup provider

  1. Reliable software for automating the process
  2. Storage plans that have capacity for your needs
  3. Detailed and accurate backup reporting tools
  4. An easy to use and as close to foolproof as possible backup application
  5. Simple recovery procedure in case of disaster
  6. Secure file transfer protocols and possibly with encryption
  7. 24/7 support
  8. Free trials are always a good sign of confidence in the part of the provider
  9. Automated version updates and tracking
  10. E-mail alerts

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In our future articles on this subject of backup, we will describe in detail the benefits of off-site backup and the major benefits and advantages over other forms of backup.