Summary
Not all backup solutions provide the same level of protection. When choosing a backup provider, look for certified and geographically dispersed data centers, strong encryption for data at rest and in transit, centralized management across devices, support for multiple operating systems and data types, extensive version retention, and simple recovery options. A reliable backup system should make it easy to protect your business from data loss, cyberattacks, and unexpected disasters while keeping costs reasonable.
Certified Data Centers That Are Dispersed Geographically
You want to be sure that your data is stored in top quality data centers that have met industry standard qualifications. Too often cheap backup providers use substandard environments.
If you’re in a regulated business that requires SOX or HIPAA compliance, be sure that your backup provider also meets these requirements. And even if you’re not in a regulated business, it’s still good to know your backup provider meets high levels of compliance.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis are all part of life on this planet. Look for a backup provider that stores your data in at least two geographically dispersed locations so there is less chance a natural disaster will destroy your information.
Data Is Encrypted & System Is Easy To Use, While Competitive In Cost
Look for your backup solution to encrypt data in at least three locations
- Any temporary files created by the backup software on your computer or device;
- While in transit over the internet between your computer and the backup location;
- While stored at the provider’s data center.
Comparing apples to apples can be difficult. Yet you don’t want to spend an exorbitant amount for backups.
Is the backup software easy for your users? Can it run automatically in a ‘hands off’ configuration?
Backups Managed From A Central Location
You will likely have information across multiple computers and devices. Look for a system that allows backup on all these devices to be managed from a central control console.
Handles Multiple Devices And Types of Data
All backup providers handle windows machines. Look for a system that also handles the other device types (IOS, Android, MAC, Linux file shares, etc) in your environment.
You probably have lots of things besides just files – sql databases, exchange mailboxes, photos. Maybe even virtual machines. Will your backup provider handle all these data types?
Keep Multiple Versions And Easily Recovers Data
Lots of backup providers advertise that they keep versions, but what may be harder to find out is how many versions they keep. A provider that keeps 30 days of versions for a particular file may not be sufficient if you discover your computer was infected by malware 45 days ago. That means all the versions that are backed up may also be infected.
If you need to recover, how easily can you do it?
Protect Your Data With The Cloud
Protecting your business means protecting your data.
Lock Your Data stores your data safely in our cloud where you can retrieve it should the unthinkable happen.
Ask us how you can protect your business today!
