| Most people still think that backing up to an offsite | | | | It is not just an issue of moving file data to a |
| environment is the same solution as moving files to | | | | remote location, there are many other factors a |
| an online storage system. If you want to know what | | | | company has to address, such as: |
| the differences are, so you are able to make an | | | | What type of data has to be backed up - most |
| informed decision, please read on. | | | | companies will have a database in one form or |
| Online file storage is a means for moving your digital | | | | another such as, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL, |
| photos, music, movies and projects off your | | | | MySQL, Oracle or Lotus Notes which will be running |
| computer via the internet to a remote storage | | | | 24 hours a day. A backup solution must contain |
| facility, so you can access them from anywhere, | | | | agents for backing up the databases in question |
| share them with friends. Online file storage works by | | | | whilst the database is running and must support |
| giving you and thousands of other people storage | | | | multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Novel, |
| space on large internet servers. This storage is | | | | Linux and Unix etc. |
| basically used as an extension to your local storage. | | | | Security - The data to be backed up is "sensitive" |
| A typical example of use would be anybody how has | | | | and you would certainly not wish to share this data. |
| non-critical data such as MP3, MPG, JPEG files who | | | | Before data is backed up it must be encrypted to |
| would wish to store data remotely in case of drive | | | | the highest levels possible, levels used by your bank |
| failure or loss and may also wish to share said files | | | | or the military for example. Your data must be |
| with friends. Please note this form of data storage is | | | | stored whilst still in the encrypted state ensuring only |
| for file data only and would require manual transfer | | | | you have access. |
| via ftp. Online storage is ideal for a home user looking | | | | Data Backup can create a large manpower overhead, |
| to secure or store data offsite. | | | | so your offsite solution must be totally automated |
| Offsite Backup is a commercial offering, originally | | | | requiring no human intervention, set and forget. |
| used buy large corporate organizations who could | | | | The hardware must be dedicated for backup and |
| afford high bandwidth connections ensuring their data | | | | resilient as possible with no single points of failure and |
| is backed up to third party locations with highest | | | | then for good measure this whole infrastructure |
| emphasis placed upon security. As the cost of | | | | must be replicated in real time to a second |
| internet connectivity has greatly reduced, offsite | | | | datacenter. |
| secure backup services have become available to | | | | All the above factors will ensure your business data is |
| smaller businesses. I am sure you can appreciate, if a | | | | backed up and available for restore regardless of |
| company, business or organization was to lose data, | | | | data disaster. |
| it would not know who its customers are, who owes | | | | In summary, online storage, great for home users |
| money to whom, therefore creating many more | | | | storing MP3, Video and file data. Offsite data backup |
| challenges than a home user losing their MP3 | | | | is a must for business use. |
| collection would face. | | | | |