A Guide to Cloud Backups

Every business needs to have a proper backup strategy in place for its essential data. Data loss is a real threat for businesses. Loss of crucial data could cause serious problems for your business and could even lead to financial penalties in the event of the loss of sensitive personal data.

Cloud backups can be the ideal solution for your business. Many more businesses are now switching to the cloud to keep their business-critical data safe. The cloud provides lots of benefits that could make it suitable for your business too. If you are considering switching to the cloud, here’s a guide to what you need to know.

What Are Cloud Backups?

Cloud backups can seem confusing, especially with all the cloud terminology to get your head around. However, they simply refer to backing up your data online, which is referred to as the “cloud”. You can backup your data to the internet, then recover it when you need to from any internet-connected device that has permission to recover the data.

With the cloud, you send a copy of your files to a virtual database, and the remote servers your data is held on could be based anywhere in the world. Wherever they are located, they will be far away from your physical location, ensuring that if anything did happen to your office (e.g. a fire or a flood), your data would remain secure in the cloud and ready for you to access when needed.

The alternative to cloud backups is to store your data locally on a physical device like a hard drive. Many offices still have dedicated server rooms where servers and storage devices are used to backup all the data. However, many more businesses have now switched to the cloud, while some use a combination of both.

Key Benefits of the Cloud

It’s always important to have a solid backup strategy in place for your business data. Before switching to the cloud, you need to know why you would want to do so. There are several benefits, and here we look at a few of the most important.

Safe Backup of Data

You don’t have to worry about losing a hard drive or having your servers damaged by fire or flood when you store your data in the cloud. The servers will be located far away, so even if your entire office is destroyed, your data will remain safe.

Data can also be password protected so only authorised users can get access to it. Very secure encryption is used by most cloud providers so that your data remains safe.

Convenient Option

There are no confusing processes with cloud backups, and often files can be backed up almost automatically. You can then recover data from any device and any location when you need to get access to files, emails and information. This is particularly suitable if you have staff working remotely.

Reduce Costs

Cloud backups can often be more cost-effective because all you have to pay for is the cloud-based solution. This is usually far cheaper than having your own server room. There are different providers with different plans to choose from, but costs tend to be lower than having a server room.

Boost Productivity

Accessing files and recovering them when needed is quick and easy, which reduces hassle for your employees and therefore helps to increase productivity. Backups can be automatically scheduled, saving even more time.

Excellent Support

You can usually get access to all the support you need via help and assistance from the cloud backup provider, rather than having to rely on your IT staff. You will often be able to call the support staff or use live chat to get answers to your questions immediately.

Considerations when Choosing a Provider

If you have decided that you want to invest in cloud backups, the next thing will be deciding on a provider. There are many to choose from, so here are some of the key factors to keep in mind when you are making your decision.

Cost

The amount you pay is going to be a consideration when you choose a cloud backup provider. Cloud backup services come in a wide range of options, and you want one that matches your needs, which means a service that can be fine-tuned exactly how your business needs it. So while cost is a factor, make sure the cloud backup solution meets your requirements.

Reputation

This is your crucial data, and you need to be able to trust the cloud backup provider. It should have a good industry reputation and proven expertise so you can trust it with your data.

Security Measures

The security of your data is crucial. Find out about the type of encryption used and how well your data is protected. You should also look at the security features provided and decide whether they are suitable. Can you set different types of access for different people? If a device is lost, can the data be remotely wiped? With our cloud backup solution, you can also get a recovery option in worst-case scenarios.

Support

Will the cloud backup provider offer good support when you need it? You don’t want to be waiting for days to get access to your important data. Make sure they provide the level of support you need.

Flexibility

One thing to remember is that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to cloud backup. The approach we take at Evolvit is to discuss your requirements in-depth and then provide you with the type of cloud infrastructure that you need.

Time to Move to the Cloud?

More businesses than ever are moving to the cloud for their backups, and you can too. If you need to access your data quickly and reliably in a secure and cost-effective way, cloud backups can boost productivity and give you more peace of mind.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help with your cloud backup solution as well as other IT outsourcing solutions.