Three key things you need to know about backing up company data

It’s incredibly easy to lose company data. In addition to the traditional hazards of hardware failure, theft, flooding, or hackers, new threats are emerging, such as the recent wave of “ransomware”, a type of malware that encrypts hard drives and demands a ransom in exchange for decrypting them. Most organizations at least attempt to back up their accounting data or other essential documents, but the way these backups are protected is typically weak.

Backing up is not simply copying data to one side and then copying it back if needed. The process may have been that simple 30 or so years ago, but it has largely evolved since. Here are three things you need to know about backups:

The backup rule of thumb

Backups at small companies are usually done manually and sporadically and are often stored too close to their primary source, so certain disasters, such as a fire, would destroy both. Large organizations back up following the “3-2-1” safety rule: They have three copies of their data, stored on two different types of media, and at least one copy is held at a remote location. This, however, takes big storage devices, including tape libraries that require a sophisticated operation, and complex logistics to move the backup media to secure remote locations.

The cloud makes it easy and affordable for everyone

What does the cloud bring to backups? Nothing, except low costs and simplicity – but that is enough for a complete revolution. Anyone can now back up like the big players. The cloud counts as a different type of media, and it’s housed at remote locations which are more secure than most organizations could afford or would have the knowledge to build. Therefore, the cloud satisfies all three points of the decades-old backup principle while also bringing to the table a higher level of reliability, better security, and more. Older versions are stored as well, making it possible to go back years in time. Using the cloud for backups does not require any initial investment, and the monthly costs can be scaled as needed.

Tip: Your backups should be fully automated to ensure they are carried out consistently and without fail – cloud-based services provide the software that allows just that.

Nothing goes without bandwidth

Transferring data to the cloud does require proper bandwidth. That’s why it’s a huge advantage if your cloud provider also happens to be a telecommunications company. Global cloud players have a limited reach in most of central and eastern Europe and do not own the networks required to carry out vast transfers. Thanks to its local national companies’ clouds and OTC, DT has a clear advantage here.

There’s no denying it: We now live in the age of the cloud. More and more businesses are using it to store important data and to run mission-critical applications. The cloud’s flexibility, affordable price, and high security are becoming irresistible. There could really be no difference in companies’ data before and after it is lost – if it is backed up in the cloud, that is.