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Cloud Backup

After local backup, cloud backup is a crucial secondary backup location. Any reputable Niko Computers IT Support member will insist on backing up your data to the Cloud. This is absolutely necessary to protect your data in the event of Ransomware and, most importantly, natural disasters such as fires or flooding.

Do not think it will not happen. Turn on the news almost any day, and you will see buildings and businesses destroyed by fires, floods… Only reliable Cloud Backups ensure that data can be retrieved and restored and keep companies in business. It is your insurance policy.

Usually, the Cloud retains fewer copies of your files and should not be casually used for recovery due to slower internet speeds than your local network. This should only be used to retrieve data in case of a major emergency or disaster. Think of it as your offsite vault.

What are the types of cloud backup methods?

New “Cloud Companies” emerge daily, offering varying degrees of reliability and “staying power.” You should arrange cloud backups through a Managed IT Services company or an independent IT services provider.

Cloud Storage:

AWS and Azure typically charge high fees for uploading and downloading data (Egress charges). You might face a financial shock when you need to recover data, paying double the expected amount. However, you will pay whatever it takes to keep your business running in a crisis, often losing money needlessly. Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 include a certain amount of cloud storage in their monthly subscription plans.

Cloud Backup Software:

Carbonite, iBackup, iDrive, CrashPlan, and similar services are usually affordable, leading many to believe they are the right choice for cloud backup. However, these services only offer file backups, which can cause unforeseen problems during data retrieval:

  • It would help if you had the proper hardware to retrieve the data. Most small businesses lack the necessary hardware (mainly servers) for immediate retrieval, so they typically rely on third-party IT services.
  • These IT consulting services often require sending an external drive for data copying. If you’re lucky, this process might take 7-14 days. Can your company survive without data for two weeks? How much business would you lose?
No Cloud Backup:

This approach won’t protect against local backup issues (data corruption, hardware failure, ransomware, or natural disasters). Not having cloud backup options is a disaster waiting to happen.

External Drive:

Backing up your data onto a drive and physically taking it offsite sounds viable, but there are several issues:

  • It is tedious and requires a lot of manual work. Someone must plug in the drive, copy the data, unplug it, remove it, and move it offsite. Human error is the number one cause of issues in IT services, and this method is prone to such errors. If cloud backups were automobiles, this method would be a horse and buggy.
  • The staff handling this task, such as the owner or another trusted party, often need more IT support skills and tools. They might put the drive in their car, where road bumps can eventually break it. At least put it on the seat and not in the trunk.
  • The offsite storage location is usually geographically close, like someone’s home. If a natural disaster hits the office, it might also affect the offsite copy’s location.
  • Will recovery be reliable? You need to test the retrieval process and verify backup integrity regularly. Without this, you leave the success of data recovery to chance.
The Solution

Cloud backup with a reliable provider (often with or through your NIKO Computers IT services provider) with a solid track record that does not charge for retrieval, with automatic uploads and automatic data verification, and preferably with the ability to run the production server from the cloud backup.

That is the only solution to protect you against natural or manufactured disasters, robbery, fire, hardware failure, corrupted local backups, compromised data integrity and significant catastrophic downtime. Very importantly, it also protects you against hidden fees.

Why Take the Chance?

Call us today or fill out the form on this page for your FREE Backup and Disaster Recovery consultation via telephone. Tell us a bit about your business and processes, and we will give you the best options to keep your company’s data and applications secure and protected. There is NO obligation ever to use our Managed IT Services.