Date: 16 Dec 11

Online Backup: The Best Way to Protect Your Files

There are plenty of businesses out there wanting to ensure that they have complete and total security for their data and critical files. If there is one method that almost guarantees this entirely and proves to be the most effective way to protect your files, online data backup would be it. With just the use of an internet connection, data and files can be collected, compressed, encrypted and transferred to an offsite location where they stored securely. This allows businesses the peace of mind that even in the event of a fire, server crash, flood, virus or accident, their data is protected.

Many companies are under the impression that their current traditional methods of backup are enough to protect them in these events. Traditional backup is conducted on an on-site server and pales in comparison to online backup. Online backup is the only method that grants easy access to files whenever they need to be restored.

Online backup comes with a variety of key features, aside from just the benefits of security. One of the most advantageous features of online backup is that it can be performed quickly and is set up to run around your specifications. Backups can be scheduled or run automatically depending on your choice; automatic backups can be performed whilst computers are inactive, or for those businesses that prefer a strict plan that considers what may happen in advance, backups can be performed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Online backup also allows the possibility to backup incrementally, this means that after an initial backup is performed, further backups only need to run when new files are produced or existing files are altered. This not only saves time, but also bandwidth. Online backup provides will typically offer you the option to customise your configuration as well, allowing bandwidth policies to be set for backup and usage speeds.

Finally, another important feature of online backup is the different options for restoring your data that is provided. Some online backup provides may offer a software client that allows effective restoration of data or a simple website may be available instead. Restoration of a single file or an entire collection of data can be arranged.

There are a few things that one should consider when signing up to an online backup provider. The first would be what kinds of data does the online backup plan include? Most companies will only use a few basic file formats such as Excel and Word but it is beneficial to have a plan that provides backup for a wide range.

Another thing to consider is when the data is restored, how is this done? Some online backup service providers offer the options of returning data on an external hard drive, or by disc, with others offering the ability to download restored data straight to your desktop.

Finally, you will want to know what kind of support is offered by your online service provider. Often there are contact emails and telephone support available to customers, however, responses to this can vary, depending on the provider, from instant help to a wait of 24 hours.