I would like to discuss today about Backup options for SMBs [Small and Medium businesses]. As from my experience with my customers sometimes it becomes cumbersome to decide on backup system. One of the reason, could be not aware of all pros and cons of a backup system to be implemented.
This article shall discuss regarding those issues
First things first, every business need to take backup regularly. Research shows failing to do backup can lead many companies going out of business within less than 12 months. It may happen that you may not be able to back up the entire contents of all the desktops, laptops or Servers in your business, in such a situation you shall have to prioritize. It’s important to backup data rather than software’s.
Let’s summarize some of the backup options.
1. Online Backup
What is Online Backup? A backup technology that can be setup to automatically backup files from your computer to remote data servers using internet. You can access these files remotely.
Pros
§ Automatic Backup. Setup once and your backup shall always be taken.
More reliability than manual backups.
§ Secured Storage. All data is stored using best encryption technologies
available which prevents from data been vandalized.
§ Remote data access. Get the flexibility of accessing your data from
anywhere.
§ No capital investment. You do not need to invest in purchasing high
end infrastructure and save on office space.
§ Cost. Costs are low. You can start from as low as $2/GB.
Cons
§ Your computer system may slow down during backup. This should not
be problem as most of the businesses have robust systems.
§ You should properly analyze where your data shall be stored. As
generally your data should be stored in a safe and secure data center
location.
§ The company can go out of business. You should have clear information
what shall happen if company goes out of business.
2. NAS Devices
Network Attached Storage [NAS] devices provide fast, simple and reliable data access. NAS devices can be used for multi-purposes like sharing data, storing and access files on network or for backup.
Pros
§ Automatic Backup. You can set all desktop computers and servers to
do backup automatically. It takes out the hassle to do manual backups.
§ Easy to Deploy. You can configure a NAS device quickly with little IT
knowledge.
§ Availability. Data available even during network outages as NAS devices
run independently of network servers.
Cons
§ Not Offsite is not alright. Data gets stored in NAS device, which is a
server kind of computer. Data is not stored offsite. If you want to
you need to get connected to additional offsite server.
§ Slower Transfer speed. If you have multiple computers backing up to
NAS device, transfer speed can be slow, which in turn can slow down
your computer.
§ Cost. NAS devices generally start for $200-$300 with low capacity but
if you are looking for a good one for your business it can be about $900
or more.
3. External USB Hard Drive Backups
An external USB hard drive provides easy to manage backup solution that caters from small to medium businesses. If you already possess a unused hard disk you can simply purchase an external USB drive enclosure to start using as a backup disk.
Pros
§ Portable. External USB drives are compact to carry and can be
connected to any computer to do backup. Once backed up
you can store the disk in an external location to safeguard from
natural disasters like theft, fire.
§ Connectivity. USB drives are available on every computer having
multiple ports. You can connect and disconnect USB hard drives
without having to restart computer – when connected it is
automatically detected by operating system as a drive letter and
ready to use.
§ Easy to Manage. Compared to tapes, USB drives are easy to
manage.
Cons
§ No Remote Access of data. Cannot access data remotely,
you have to carry hard disk with you. Inconvenient for someone
who requires data frequently.
§ Storage Size. Limited storage size. Compared to tape, external
USB drives are limited in space.
§ Manual Backups. No automatic backup, you have to connect
device to each desktop to do backups. Imagine you have 50
pc’s to backup. Purpose of backup gets defeated due to manual
backup.
§ Unsecured Storage. As data is stored on a hard disk, anyone
can take the hard disk and walk away. Biggest risk of security.
I shall be discussing further regarding Tape Backups and Blu-ray Backups in my continuing next blog.
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