Data backup is one of the most important aspects of running a business, and it’s something that should never be taken lightly. There are all sorts of reasons why data backup is needed – hardware failures, natural disasters like lightning or floods, accidental deletion, accidents like spilling coffee on your laptop- the list goes on and on. This is why it is important to hire a professional to ensure that your business data is protected.
As business owners, we all know that running a business is no small feat. You need to keep records of your expenses and revenue in order to track your growth over time.
Because modern businesses are so reliant on technology to help them do everything from communicating with clients, customers, and vendors to seamlessly tracking the many moving pieces of their operations, it is essential that you have a reliable data backup plan to protect your company’s vital information. According to an Oakland IT company, “remote technical assistance to clients” is one of the big driving forces for hiring a professional to handle your company’s data. Unfortunately, many businesses either forget about the importance of keeping their data secure or they ignore available tools and services meant to help them do so without breaking the bank.
Fortunately for businesses of all sizes, there are plenty of different options out there for companies looking to protect their data, and there are pros and cons to using each of them.
Online Cloud-based System
The first option is to store your information on a cloud-based system that you can access from anywhere in the world. Cloud backup systems like these exist for both office files (e.g., word documents, spreadsheets, etc.) as well as for your digital data (e.g., photos, videos, music files). The advantage to using a system like this is that you don’t need to download the information; all you have to do is go online and open an account. You can access your data from anywhere and there’s no limit on how much you store or how much you can access each month.
The downside, however, is that if your account gets hacked or your data is breached, there’s really no telling what has happened to it. It may be best to use cloud-based services only for your office files and hire a professional service to handle all of your digital needs.
In-House Cloud-Based System
A second option is to download a cloud-based service onto your computer. These “in-house” systems offer the same security and convenience as their cloud-based counterparts, but they reside on your company’s internal software, so you don’t have to worry about hackers getting in or data being breached.
The downside here is similar to that of a cloud-based system: If your device is compromised, there’s no guaranteeing what has happened to your data.
Professional IT Company
A third option is to set up a backup service with a professional firm that specializes in data storage and security. This is by far the best choice for most companies because it provides maximum security for all of your data. All of your information is safely stored away in a secure location and it is 100% guaranteed that nothing can happen to it without you knowing about it.
If you go this route, your backup service will automatically upload all of your digital data to their servers every day so that even if your hard drive crashes or someone destroys your computer, you still have a copy of everything that you need to run your business. Therefore, this is the option that we recommend if you want to make sure your company’s data is safe and secure.
Skills to Match The Pricetag
The biggest pro to using a data backup service is the fact that these services take care of backing up your company’s data for you. Some companies may scoff at this because it means they have to pay someone to do something they could theoretically do themselves, but in reality, outsourcing allows you to get access to better tools and more skilled personnel who are familiar with the latest technology and best practices.
The price of data backup services can vary depending on what plan you go for, but most companies find that it is worth the expense because they end up saving more money in repairs or replacements later on down the line. Depending on how much data you need to store and how often the service needs to back up your information, expect to pay anywhere from $30-$100+ per month for this type of service. Many businesses spend more time trying to fix hardware problems themselves than it would have taken them to simply pay for a data backup service, which is why it’s so important that you consider this option.
If you own a business and you haven’t started backing up your company data yet, now would be the perfect time to take action before something goes wrong and it’s too late. In the end it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your business’ most important information is always protected and accessible if anything happens. With so much at stake in today’s age of technology, you simply can’t afford not to hire professionals to handle your company’s data security.
I’m is an owner of Venostech.com, blogger, Android and technology enthusiast. Individual who are educated in the IT and like to write according my scope.
