Implementing a reliable backup procedure can protect your business from data loss and downtime as a result of any of the following: hardware or software failure, power failure, natural disaster, or human error. When considering a backup solution, offsite backup options have some considerable advantages to onsite backup.

The primary advantage to using a remote backup method is that it protects your data from onsite disasters, such as fire, burglary, flooding or storm damage. The two most common offsite data backup methods are removable media and remote online backup.

Removable Media
Using CD- or DVD-ROMs, USB drives, and external hard drives are all viable options for removable media backup. When using this backup method, data backup is typically performed at the end of the day and the media is removed and taken off-site. Many software vendors offer backup software that will create archives. The upside to using removable media is the cost associated with the media and software is relatively inexpensive. However, there are several cons to this method; the foremost is that an employee must physically perform the backup and take the media off-site, increasing the risk of lost data through human error. In addition, because backups are typically performed once a day, the business can lose valuable data created between backup sessions. The downsides removable media backup methods are space limitations and the risk of damage to the media.

Remote Online Backup Services
The use of remote online backup services is becoming more commonplace. These are websites that allow users to upload data files and retrieve them later in case they need to restore the files. The primary benefit to using this backup method is that online backup is automatic and requires very little user interaction, freeing up personnel resources to focus on other tasks. The backups are more frequent, which provides less data loss between the interruption and recovery time. Also, this solution offers complete security because the data is encrypted and cannot be read even by the backup service provider. It can only be accessed by an encryption key that always remains with the customer. The drawbacks can be the cost, which can be expensive based on the amount of data storage needed and the frequency of the backups. In addition, if the online backup company goes out of business, you may lose your resource.

While both of these offsite backup methods have their own benefits and drawbacks, they are both well suited for SMBs. If you're looking into data backup options for your business and are unsure what the best fit is, Spirinet Technology Services can help you with your assessment and make the best choice for your business now, as well as in the future.

For more information, visit us at http://www.spirinet.com

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