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Backup Critical to Keep Data Secure and To Boost Recovery from Breaches

Backup Data Locally And In Cloud to Avoid Business Interruption Backing up data is important even for companies that use a cloud email provider such as Microsoft 365. Cloud backup, in addition to local backup, is critical.   A company’s data is one of its greatest assets; without it, a company will have difficulty operating […]

Backup Data Locally And In Cloud to Avoid Business Interruption

Backing up data is important even for companies that use a cloud email provider such as Microsoft 365. Cloud backup, in addition to local backup, is critical.  

A company’s data is one of its greatest assets; without it, a company will have difficulty operating efficiently and providing the products and services its customers expect. Unfortunately, many factors can jeopardize company data. These include:

  • Hard drive crash or cloud-server failure that erase data or render it irretrievable.
  • Deletion, either accidentally or intentionally by a disgruntled employee.
  • Viruses, ransomware and similar cybersecurity threats. These can include deleting data, encrypting it or otherwise make accessing it difficult. It also can consist of hacking of storage accounts.
  • Retention policies that delete data sooner than required by regulators. In some cases, backing up data is easier or less expensive than using archival services.
  • Disasters such as floods or fires.

Backing up data then is critical. Data backup is important even for businesses that use cloud-based email providers such as Microsoft Office 365 because these providers do not provide independent backup.

Local Backup

Businesses can handle their backups, storing the backed up data on external drives onsite or to a server connected to the LAN. This allows a company to maintain full control over its data and processes. However, many threats such as disasters or malicious attacks potentially would affect these drives and servers as well, making recovery quite tricky. For this reason, cloud backup is often preferred. Some companies also opt for local backup in combination with cloud backup for additional security.

Cloud Backup

Cloud backup can take several forms, including backing up directly to a public cloud or backing up to a cloud service provider offering services in a managed data center. Companies determine whether a direct, do-it-yourself backup or a provider solution is best for them based upon factors such as complexity and volume of data to be backed up, as well as the time constraints of their staff and regulatory environment. Regardless of which form it takes, cloud backup allows for data recovery from almost any computer. Recovery can range from just a few files to a full restoration of all the company’s data.

Online Backup to Public Cloud

If a company determines that a direct online backup to a public cloud will meet its needs, it will find several vendors from which to choose. Factors to consider in choosing are:

  • The number and type of devices to be backed up.
  • Amount of storage space required.
  • Whether system backup, in addition, to data backup is required.
  • Whether security features such as two-factor authentication are needed.
  • Speed of backup and recovery.
  • Budget.

Backup to a Provider

A growing number of companies are choosing to use managed service providers for many of their IT needs because MSPs can provide additional capabilities and enable the company to free up staff for more strategic functions and provide additional capabilities. MSPs also provide cloud-based backup and disaster recovery solutions. Once a company determines an MSP is the best solution, it chooses one based on the following factors:

  • Which MSP will work best as part of your overall team.
  • Expertise, including technical certifications and ongoing continuing education requirements.
  • Cost relative to services provided.
  • Financial stability.

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