Cloud Backup and Offsite Backup Solutions For Your Business

Monica Morris • June 20, 2018

The last thing you want to happen is to lose your data or to have it fall into the wrong hands. Data, whether it’s a sales report or top-secret corporate plans, is one of the most important assets for a business. This is why it is crucial to have a reliable backup system for data protection. Most people use portable hard drives to store their data. However, this in itself is not the best solution, especially if your backup media is physically stored in the same place as the source. To add an extra layer of protection and reduce the risk of data loss and/or reduce single point of failure, many organizations choose to backup their data off-site.

What is Cloud Backup?

Cloud backup involves sending a copy of your data to a remote server via the internet. The server is usually managed by a third-party online backup service provider. It helps to improve a business’ data security at a minimal cost to the organization. It also aids disaster recovery in case of an unforeseen circumstances that can lead to the destruction of data.

Cloud-based data storage has become the convenient solution for organizations and individuals to safely and securely store and protect their data offsite thus reducing the risk of data loss.

Cloud backups can happen in one of three ways:

  1. Direct backup to the public cloud such as Amazon web service
  2. Backup to a service provider data center
  3. Making a copy of cloud-based data to a cloud backup service

Physical storage media are vulnerable to damage, be it was from smoke, fire, water, heat, dust or natural disasters which means that private storage facilities need to have built-in controls to guard against such environmental factors. Physical storage security is really a matter of how secure a business facility is against physical intrusions. With cloud backup, physical risks to data are significantly reduced.

While cloud-based data backup and file hosting services address the different issues and challenges faced by onsite physical backup methods, there are still some risks involved. This is because cloud backup services ultimately rely on physical devices for storage. Cloud backup providers have remote data centers that are just as vulnerable to natural disasters. These service providers can also close down or change their services, putting clients in a difficult position. It is important for organizations to look at alternative and secondary data backup plan tools and solutions.

Offsite Backup

There are several options that are available to organizations looking for offsite data backup, they include the following:

Internet Backup Services

One option is utilizing the services of an internet backup service provider. An internet backup service provider will upload copies of your data onto remote servers. This is done automatically over the internet. These service providers provide software that will automatically back up an entire hard drive to the cloud. They often keep multiple versions in different locations which guards against disasters and total destruction. These services are can be very useful to businesses. There are other backup tools that individuals and small business can use. They include file-sharing services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or iCloud.

Physical Storage Media

Despite the drawbacks, physical storage media are still valuable for data backup. You can improve your data security by using multiple storage devices. These devices can be easily moved around so you don’t have to put them in one physical space.  If you have safety concerns, then you can store your external drive or USB in a safe to keep it secure. Secondary drives or Network-attached storage (NAS) devices can also be installed. NAS devices hold additional drives in your network and will constantly mirror your main hard drive so that if it fails, you still have access to your data through your secondary drive. Popular NAS devices include QNAP, Drobo, and Synology.

Automatic Backups

PCs and Macs come with backup software that you can use to store files in secondary drives or in the cloud. This particular backup solution are a series of backup tools that help to sync your data without requiring your intervention.  Time machine on the Mac allows users to incrementally backup data to an external drive. A similar function is performed by Backup and Restore on Windows. While iCloud helps to sync data to the cloud on both Mac and Windows.

Performing regular backups and storing it offsite is an important security practice not just for large enterprises but also for small businesses. Accidents can happen and you may lose years of acquired data. Remote backup tools offer a lot of desirable features and most importantly, secure storage. Companies that specialize in offsite cloud storage are better equipped to adapt to new technologies and have built-in systems to prevent data loss thus improving data security for businesses. At SDTEK, our secureTEK Backup and Disaster Recovery includes a robust BDR solution which includes onsite and offsite backup. Please contact us today to speak with a team member about your businesses cloud backup and offsite backup needs.

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In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding extra authentication layers ensures that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data. Endpoint Protection: Securing all devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones) connected to your network from malware and other threats. Applying these and other security measures can help IT support services fortify your defenses against internal and external threats. 3. Ongoing Monitoring and Threat Detection Cyberattacks can happen at any time and often occur when businesses are least prepared. IT support services provide 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time. Through advanced monitoring tools and threat intelligence, IT teams can quickly identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This proactive approach to monitoring reduces downtime, prevents data breaches, and minimizes the impact of cyber incidents. IT support teams can continuously update and patch systems to address emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring your cybersecurity defenses remain current. 4. Incident Response and Remediation Even with robust security measures, no system is entirely immune to cyberattacks. When an incident occurs, the speed and efficiency of the response are critical in minimizing damage. IT support teams are equipped with incident response protocols to quickly isolate affected systems, investigate the root cause, and restore normal operations. With a well-coordinated incident response plan, businesses can significantly reduce downtime, prevent further data loss, and recover quickly from attacks. 5. Security Awareness Training for Employees Employees are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with many attacks originating from phishing schemes, weak passwords, or social engineering. 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By partnering with an IT support service, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses through risk assessments, security protocol implementation, continuous monitoring, and employee training. These services protect data and help ensure business continuity and compliance with industry regulations. If your business wants to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, now is the time to consider working with an IT support provider. Doing so lets you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and focus on growing your business with peace of mind. Ready To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity With SDTEK? Don't leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. At SDTEK, we offer comprehensive IT support and managed cybersecurity services designed to protect your business and ensure seamless operations. Whether you need risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, or incident response, our team of experts is here to help. Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!
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