| When we refer to data backup, we're speaking to | | | | yourself. Full service data backup companies will |
| the process of creating documents copies of our | | | | perform these tasks for you. If you're looking to |
| information. There will be times where we will need | | | | backup any important records, documents, or data, |
| to protect and restore the original files due to | | | | we recommend full service information backup |
| damaged hardware, natural or unnatural disasters, or | | | | companies 99.9% of the time. (If you're simply |
| simple carelessness. Smart companies will create an | | | | looking to backup your vacation photos, you fall into |
| execute a data recovery plan in advance of an | | | | the.1% who should probably do software-only) |
| emergency, in order to protect their information. | | | | 2. Next, when evaluating providers, determine the |
| Many companies already perform routine backup for | | | | level of encryption each service offers. NOTHING is |
| data protection. Mostly this is done internally, with | | | | more important that the safety of your data - and |
| backup copies simply moved from in-house server to | | | | that includes how it's send over! You're choosing their |
| in-house server. Worse still would be simply creating a | | | | service because you're looking to protect valuable |
| information backup on the same server as the original | | | | data. Security is your primary concern when choosing |
| data. | | | | a remote files backup partner. |
| This process of information backup does not protect | | | | 3. Third, you should ask for what is known as |
| a company from unforeseeable incidents like | | | | "access control" and "availability." Who will you be |
| earthquake, theft, fire, or other natural disasters. | | | | working with directly? What access do they have to |
| To effectively deal with this dilemma, many | | | | your data? Many offsite data providers have |
| companies are now looking toward offsite | | | | confidentiality agreements that they will never under |
| documents backup solutions. There are lots of offsite | | | | any circumstance look at your data. However, you |
| or remote records backup services available today | | | | will need someone to guide you through a data |
| offering options that will be as cost effective as | | | | recovery plan. Make sure that the company is |
| backing up data yourself. | | | | staffed with people that will help you in an |
| Offsite files backup provider takes care of the | | | | emergency. There should be an administrator |
| management overhead, physical maintenance of the | | | | assigned that will delegate access and data recovery |
| equipments, as well as operating expenses. Also, they | | | | procedures. |
| tend to have insurance on their data in case of | | | | 4. Last, make sure you're aware of the offiste files |
| disaster. | | | | backup security facilities. Are the data centers |
| What are the steps necessary to choose an offsite | | | | physically secure? Do they have internal alarms and |
| files backup provider? | | | | contingency plans in case their systems are |
| | | | compromised? Is the data security in place effective |
| 1. First establish which kind of offsite information | | | | enough to protect your business information? |
| backup service you need - software-only or full | | | | Offsite data backup is critical to protect your |
| service storage. Software-only records backup | | | | business. Choosing the best possible provider should |
| enables you to execute the actual backup by | | | | be taken with great caution. Your data is worth it! |