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Business Technology Blog

Small Business Data Backup: Protecting Against Physical Threats

May 10, 2016 11:17:45 AM / by AtlasOne

AdobeStock_78047353.jpegPlan B’s, backups, redundancies, reserves, copies, duplicates.  There are many words, names, titles and strategies that are available if your plan A fails, or if you need to recover something that no longer exists.  Whether we are talking about business, technology, or sports, this is a universal concept, but if not planned correctly, can still have some flaws.  Take football for example.  Every team has a depth chart, multiple quarterbacks, etc.  So if your starting quarterback gets tackled (and injured) as he completes a pass, and that receiver is tackled out of bounds and takes out the backup quarterback who was holding a clipboard, well you just lost your “plan B”.  That scenario would be considered a physical risk.  The backup QB was technically “on-site”, in other words, near the field.  Had he been “off-site”, in other words, on the bench, he would have been safe and secure.  Your business can suffer a similar fate with on-site backup.  The physical risks are different, but the result can be the same.

When it comes to your business, your data and records are imperative.  Depending on your industry there could also be compliance requirements, regulations and laws that need to be followed as well.  Recently the news has been filled with updates on major data breaches against big companies. While data security is important, backup is just as critical.  Gone are the days of file cabinets and warehouses full of boxes that could chronicle the history of your company.  Today’s technology advancements have made digital recordkeeping efficient and affordable.  And while a server is much more preferable than a file cabinet, off-site cloud storage is even safer.  A survey done by Business News Daily showed that 86% of small businesses rely upon a physical device for some or all of their data backup.   Here are the two main reasons why this is a bad idea.

Fire

Fires are unpredictable and devastating events.  While insurance policies are in place to help you rebuild, and office furniture and other resources can be replaced, data cannot.  An on-site server, with all of its security and features, is unfortunately as effective as a file cabinet when it comes to fire. 

Flood

With our climate here in south Louisiana, we are no strangers to flooding.  Flash floods during heavy downpours, roof damage during a thunderstorm that creates a leak, and a 5-month hurricane season, all increase the likelihood of water damage to our property.  This is another, major physical threat to on-site backup solutions.  Whether it is water from above or below, a server, and your data may not survive a flood event.

So what is the answer to protect and store your data while keeping it safe?  The answer is simple, secure, and affordable.  Cloud storage.  With cloud storage there is no physical, tangible piece of hardware, which means it has no physical threats. 

Cloud storage offers the same convenience, security, and dependability as an on-site server, but without any of the potential damage or loss from outside variables.  Cloud storage will also automatically save and backup your files.  While physical devices require saves and backups to be made manually, not only will a cloud solution offer more protection, but also more efficiency.

AtlasOne Technologies helps small businesses manage and improve their IT operations.  This Baton Rouge managed IT services and consulting firm offers a wide range of cloud solutions for businesses.

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Topics: data backup, physical threats

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