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Everyone knows that business data MUST be backed up. But “how” and “where” are two very large unknowns!
These are the questions that MUST be asked when considering a back-up solution:
1. Actual back-up completed
a. Is the task a manual or auto task?
b. Is the data actually being transferred?
c. Is the CORRECT data being transferred?
2. Back-up data security
a. Who has access to the data?
b. Is it encrypted?
c. Are there legislative and/or industry privacy or security requirements?
3. Back-up data safety
a. Is the data stored on media which is not incorporated in the server?
b. Does the back-up offer protection from virus damage?
c. Is the media safe from fire, flood, theft (The Big 3)?
d. Is it stored in a separate location from the server?
e. Is the media transported safely?
4. ABILITY TO RESTORE
a. Is the data in a format that can be restored with or without the original software?
b. Can the data be selectively restored? (individual records, items, etc.)
c. Are there incremental restore points?
5. Cost
a. Initial (set-up) cost
b. On-going costs (monthly fees, media, etc.)
c. LOSS OF DATA (what is the cost of NOT having the correct solution?)
You (we) need to decide how important each of these concerns are to you, and determine the best solution which fits in your budget. Again, the biggest question of all is, “What is the cost to your business if the data is not sufficiently protected?”
Automated Remote Backup Solutions
Here are the primary advantages of automated remote, off-site data back-up versus on-site:
1. It’s off-site. This means that you are covered for the big 3 – fire, flood, and theft. This is worth a significant portion of your cost, as far as the value to your business goes.
2. It is managed by a professional data storage company. This means that you don’t have to do anything. Period. It all happens automatically, ELIMINATING HUMAN ERROR. And if you ever need to restore data, you simply call them. You don’t have to go rummaging through tapes or looking through hours and hours of file listings.
3. The data is 100% secure through the encryption algorithm used. No Privacy or security issues.
4. There is no media to fuss with – no changing tapes, plugging or unplugging drives, no hauling tapes or drives home, risking damage, loss, or theft.
5. This is a “live” back-up, not a once-a-day or week batch. The back-up is current.
As we look at back-up alternatives, we must always remember that the greater security, flexibility, and reliability we enjoy with the solution, the greater the cost.
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