Why You Should Already Be Reaping the Benefits of Online Cloud Backup Services
Before we delve into the benefits of online cloud backup services, let’s assume a few things about you and your business.
First, let’s assume that you back up your data, right? It would be crazy if you didn’t after all, like driving around without car insurance, it’s just unheard of.
- So, let’s assume you use a traditional backup solution like in-house, physical storage.
- Finally, let’s assume that you try your best to be innovative and keep up with technological trends that will assist efficiencies and cost-savings for your business.
If we assume all of this correctly, you are no doubt aware of Backup as a Service (BaaS) solutions. That may even be why you are reading this; you are ready to take the next step and find out more information on exactly how this new process can help you? You’ve come to the right place, let’s indulge.
The cloud has been great for businesses who wish to expand their online infrastructure and expertise without having to expand or hire more people in-house. In fact, it is reported that by 2020, 67 percent of enterprise infrastructure and software will be cloud-based.
Backup as a service (BaaS) achieves this for the backup and recovery process that can be managed by a Cloud Service Provider. Basically, instead of needing on-premises equipment and personnel, everything is cloud managed. But why is this helpful?
BaaS cost savings
One of the main benefits of online cloud backup services is the significant cost savings, from a range of areas for your business. First, it’s important to understand how this is possible. Cloud vendors essentially buy storage in bulk, and the savings are passed on to their customers.
BaaS reduces the need for your business to purchase:
- Hard disks
- Enclosures
- RAID cards
- Extra electricity
- Warranty services
- Additional IT staff
You can easily lower management costs by reducing on-premise hardware and software management, decreasing the need for extensive capacity planning and monitoring. This allows your IT department time to focus on other tasks.
Data redundancy and replication — less control is better!?
In most cases, the external management and storage of your data is much safer than an on-premises solution. This actually works against the idea that removing this control means things aren’t as secure, which is a common reservation that people hold about changing over to BaaS.
This misconception is actually one of the great benefits of online cloud backup services. Cloud storage vendors keep multiple copies of your data and offer options on how to reduce data loss.
It’s their job to ensure your data is secure; your job is running your business, who is going to put more time and effort into the task?
Complacency within a business is a significant risk; you don’t always have the time to back up your data across multiple locations. Cloud storage vendors have geographic replication options that can make multiple copies of your data across regions. Some offer geo-replication or replication services that move data between data centres for extra security.
By essentially outsourcing this task that you don’t necessarily have the time or resources for, you are increasing the quality of the security that is applied to your data.
Data Tiering
Depending on the configuration and needs of your business, storage classes/data tiering may be another significant benefit that BaaS provides. These processes assist the speed and frequency applied to restore backups and how long they are kept for.
The requirement of your restores will often determine the best process, but a range of object lifecycle policies are often available that will automatically move data between tiers. This process feeds back into the cost-efficiencies created by BaaS.
Performance
It makes a lot of sense, the less strain on your internal storage and systems, the more efficient things run. By moving to a cloud-based storage solution your free up space, both via your networks and physical space (no need for extra hard drives).
Backups often need to be stored in the same region as where the data originates. Moving data to cloud storage also assist with performance, faster response from the system.
Ransomware/Malware Protection
Ransomware is nasty. It is malicious software (or malware) that can take over your systems and deny access to your data. As the name suggests, a ransom is then demanded to regain access, which often isn’t given.
So naturally, it would be great if you avoided this situation, and BaaS can help. The most effective deterrent to ransomware is regular backups and verifications of your system. By storing these backups on a separate system, it can be quickly restored in the unfortunate case of an attack.
Take advantage of the benefits of online cloud backup services
Let’s make one final assumption, let’s assume that all of the above information has shown you how important, and easy a decision, BaaS is for your business. As cloud-services like BaaS grow, the will become eventually become the new normal.
If that assumption is also correct, Crystal Technologies can help implement a BaaS process that is tailored to your business needs, and you can start reaping the benefits straight away.
