Offsite data backup need not be restricted to offices only. It is equally relevant for the computers at home too. Having a computer at home is no more restricted to a few top echelon executives. A vast multitude of the populace owns at least one computer at home. Besides, many people use laptops to carry work from home to office and back.

Many variant data is stored in the home computers. There can be all your financial details charted out on spreadsheets. Students store their project work on computers. A writer may have all his lifework typed away as Word documents. A graphic designer stores the logos and fliers as media files. Research students type out their thesis on computers. The photos downloaded on a computer holds myriad memories of beautiful moments.
Another important aspect is the email. Some email can be crucial and need to be saved. A loss of data can wipe off all the details of a transaction. Then there can be the diverse work the executive carries home from works- letters, presentations, spreadsheets, charts. The list is endless.

Home computers face a lot more threat than those in an office environment. The rules are much more lax, hence the computer is at a much more risk of being damaged. Most of the people think nothing about bringing in a cup of coffee to the computer worktable at home. Some even carry a plate of snacks along. A spill can wreck havoc on your computer and of course your data.
Computers at home are less securely protected against a virus attack. Hence, your data is more susceptible to being wiped off by mean Trojan strain.
According to the Time Magazine 1600 laptops are stolen daily in the U.S., there go all the important files and data along with the laptop.

Of course, many people do take backups on CDs at home too. However, this is not a very dependable solution. If there is a natural calamity, theft or fire the data is lost along with the backup.

Hence, offsite data backup is a very convenient solution for a home computer too. There are many vendors offering solutions for such a scenario. The user just has to finalize the data-requiring backup. Based on the compressed backup size a cost effective plan for payment can be opted.
So, stay secure and be sure by submitting your precious data to an offsite data backup solution provider.

The main backup types for offsite data backup vary in style and type.  Here you will find a description for the primary types of backup used.

Free Form

In this type of backup, no structure is maintained. All the data available is copied simply. It is usually a set of simple storage media like floppies or CDs in which the data is dumped without any form or order. This type of backup is the easiest to maintain but has the most chance of failing on recovery.

Full

This is the beginning point of all off site data backup. In this method, all the data in the folders and files are copied. The full backup is the ideal of all methods as it has the advantage of successful data recovery. Since it is the most comprehensive, a single full backup can be used to completely restore the entire data. On the other hand, full data backup is very time consuming and occupies a lot of space on the storage media. A media containing a full backup falling into improper hands can be a serious security issue.

Incremental

In Incremental backup, all the files that have changed since the last backup are copied. This type of backup is very fast and convenient. The storage space requirement is also small. However, while restoring, each incremental backup has to be processed individually. This is a very painstaking and time-consuming process.

Mirror

A mirror backup creates an exact copy of the entire data. It is similar to full backup but the files are uncompressed and not protected by a password. Since the data is copied as it is on to a separate destination, the files can be accessed easily even with tools like Windows Explorer. The restoration also just requires copying back the files to the original location.

Continuous Data Protection

This kind of backup is employed at locations where the data is very critical. In this setup, there is no scheduled time for backup. As soon as the data changes, the alteration is logged and the data is secure. This is a time and resource intensive method but is essential for the security of crucial data.
This is an illustration of the different type of backups available. While doing an offsite, data backup, compare all these types of backups and select the one most suitable to your needs. Usually a mix of two or more types is used for the security of crucial data.

In today’s world of active computer usage, off site data backup has achieved an important significance. Now that you have fixed up a backup schedule, it is essential to decide on the media for data storage. The various backup media available are as follows:

Magnetic Tapes

They are the conventional storage media for offsite backups. It consists of a thin plastic strip coated with magnetic material. Magnetic tapes come in reels and cartridges of various storage capacities. The data is stored in blocks on the tape. It is a sequential storage device that has become a preferred backup storage media because of its low cost and portability.

Floppy Discs

They are removable, random access and transferable magnetic media used to store data.

Floppy discs are also called diskettes. They have flexible plastic encased in a hard cartridge cover. The maximum data storage capacity of a floppy disc is 1.44 megabytes. The small storage capacity makes it useful for small programs and data only. Floppy discs are on their way out and some of the newer laptops are omitting this drive completely.

Optical Disks

Optical disc, by definition, is storage devices in which light is used to read and write data. The disc used is usually made up of dye coated clear polycarbonate plastic. A low powered Laser beam is used to record and retrieve data. The CD or Compact discs have storage capacity up to 680 megabytes. The CD-R disc can be written only once. For multiple rewriting, CD–RW are used. The Digital Video Disc, commonly known as the DVD has more storage capacity than the CD. DVDs can store data up to 4.7 gigabytes. It is a much-preferred medium for multimedia data storage.

Optical discs have more storage capacity as compared to magnetic media. In addition, this media is impervious to damages from electric surges and magnetic fields.

Solid-State Storage Devices

They are removal storage media that employ integrated circuits (IC) in place of optical or magnetic media. The USB drives and other proprietary portable drives are examples of solid-state devices. Since it contains no mechanical parts, the data transfer in solid-state devices is much faster than magnetic or optical devices. It also has a longer life compared to other storage devices. The downside is the storage capacity that is much less than other conventional backup storage devices. A USB flash memory can store up to 1GB of data where as the hard drives can store up to 100 GB. The cost per byte of storage is much higher for solid-state devices. However, it is gaining much popularity due to its compact size, fast retrieval and easy portability.

The storage device used for offsite backup should be selected with care taking in consideration the size and structure of your data. The user should carefully evaluate all the options and decide upon the right media for the off site backup.

Backup On Media

There should be a provision for supplying the data backups on storage media. This could be on floppy disks, CD, DVD or solid state devices depending on the data size.

Automatic Scheduling

The offsite backup software must have the feature of automatically scheduling a backup of the entire set of files at a fixed time.

There should be a provision to maintain the Version history of the backup. This provides a total history of the backups being taken and facilitates the management of backups.

Recovery

The backup data is only as good as the recovery it provides. All the regular backups are of no avail if the relevant data is not restored on time. The maximum time required for recovery must be predefined. In case of data loss, the missing files should be recovered from the backup before the time limit expires.

Compliance

The storage of data on electronic media has made the transactions fast and manageable. However, this has also made the confidential data vulnerable. There is a possibility of this information falling in the hands of miscreants. Such a situation can cause excessive and sometime irreparable damage to the unsuspecting clients. Many regulations have been formulized to safeguard the user and the data against such an exigency. They put the onus of the security and privacy of the data in the hands of the organization involved in the handling and transfer of the information. It is important to confirm whether the offsite data backup solution provider complies with these rules.

User Friendly Interface

Most offsite data backup solutions are web based. It is important the interface is simple and easy to use. Availability of online Help feature makes the usage easier for first time users. A 24 x 7 customer support is an essential requirement.

These are a few features that should be kept in mind before finalizing offsite data backup software. Most of the offsite data backup software offers a limited period free trial offer. It is advisable to take advantage of this feature to try out the software. The user can arrive at a decision by actually comparing the results of a few solutions. If a vendor satisfies all these criteria, the user can rest assured that the critical data would be in safe hands.

The backup procedures have come a long way from the erstwhile copying of data on Winchester drives and other magnetic media. Such cumbersome procedures have been replaced by the easy to use offsite data backup solutions. Offsite data backup is a hassle free solution for guaranteeing the security of the data. However, it is necessary that the software solution selected should be optimum. There are many vendors in the market offering offsite data backup solutions. Users must compare the key features of various offers before finalizing the final product. There are a few factors that should be ensured before selecting a particular offsite backup software solution.

Data Security

Offsite data backup works on the assumption that the data stored at remote location is completely safe. However, it would be wise to ensure that the data is actually as safe as proclaimed. The points that should be complied with at the remote data storage location are as follows: -
All The storage drives storing data at the remote location must have RAID5 redundancy. RAID5 ensures a hot backup in case the disk crashes. The data-striping feature ensures that the files remain physically intact and safe.

A separate copy of the data backup should be kept aside for disaster recovery. A complete snapshot comes very handy if due to some reason the primary backup suffers a loss. The mirror image of the data can be kept in a geographically different location as a safeguard against natural calamities.

The data storage center should have adequate protection against fire. There should be controlled access to protect data from theft.
It is advisable to store the data in an underground concrete bomb shelter to prevent damage from human or natural attack.

Additionally the data should be transferred through secure SSL connections as a safeguard against someone getting an access into the data. Sometimes the secure connection is compromised for the sake of faster data transfer.

The data must be kept secure for a predefined time period (known as the retention period). This varies from one day to seven years.

Any access to data should be through a verified username and password only.

Cost Calculation

The cost of taking and storing backup must be clearly predefined. Usually the cost is calculated on the size of the compressed data to be stored.

An offsite data backup solution is a very secure and reliable platform for backup of data. However, it is important that certain standards are maintained to ensure security of the data. The data from the user’s computer is transferred to a remote location via the Internet. Due to the open nature of the Internet, it may be possible that some malicious elements will hack into the network. There can be a possibility of the data being read or damaged. Sometimes the software solution provider eliminates the encryption step to hasten up the data transfer. Hence, it is important to ensure that the data is transferred after encryption only. Only the valid user should be able to read the data after using a decryption utility. This is all the more relevant is the user’s business requires confidentiality of the data. The essential features of data security must involve the following: -

128-bit SSL Encryption  

The SSL or Secure Socket Layer encrypts every packet before transmission. They use Verisign Certified 1024 bit encryption keys that may take a super computer 3 million years to break. The login and ensuing sessions must work under the 128 bit SSL encryption. This will ensure that the data cannot be intervened and misused while being transferred.

Conditional, Level Based Access

The access to the data must be password protected. A hierarchy structure would ensure that only the rightful user could have access to the data.

Firewall Protection

The offsite data storage must have a Firewall in place. It protects the data being access by intruders. All the users employing FTP must submit the relevant username and password before being able to access the data.

Physical Security At The Data Center

The remote data center where the actual data is physically stored must be well protected with the help of locks and Access Control Systems like digital smart cards. A log of all entries and exits will keep a tab on any unsavory movements.

The user must never divulge the username and password to others. Keep at least a seven digit passwords having a complex combination of numbers and letters. The password must be changed after three months for maximum security.

These security features will ensure the safety of the data while being transferred and stored in the remote location.

Historical data backup solutions involved a stringent scheduling of backup procedure, copying of data on storage devices and restoration to check the validity of the data. Offsite data backup has changed all this.

The offsite data backup involves automatic transfer of encrypted data over secure Internet lines to a remote location. Copies of backups are also stored. In case of failure, the data can be restored within hours.

There are a variety of software in the market that are offering offsite data backup support. The process is as follows:
•    The software is installed in the central server or computers as the case may be.
•    The backup schedule is prepared and saved in the software module.
•    As per the schedule, the software automatically takes the relevant backups of the files.
•    This copy is encrypted before being transmitted.
•    The encrypted copy is transmitted over a secure Internet to an offsite location where the backup is stored on disks.
•    A copy of backup is also stored at a different location to ensure foolproof safety of the data.

In case of a mishappening, the complete data can be restored. The system will be up and running in the previous state within hours. Even if a single file has been deleted accidentally, the concerned file can be restored immediately.
•    The user has access to the backup at all times from any place if equipped with an Internet connection.
•    If an offsite backup software in installed, no additional personnel is required to take regular backup.
•    Such software eliminates the tedious process of maintaining backup on magnetic tapes.
•    The business owner can rest assured that the data is safe with the offsite backup software. A mirror of the backup stored at an offsite location ensures just that.

Offsite backup software turns out to be more cost effective too. By using it a business owner cuts down on the following costs: -

-    Cost of hiring personnel for in-house data backups.
-    Cost of tapes or other storage media
-    Opportunity cost saved by minimum down time

There are many vendors selling offsite data backup solutions. A typical package includes the following: -

-    The backup software
-    Regularly scheduled backups
-    Customer support at all times
-    24×7 access to your data
-    Copy of data on a removable storage media like CDs

The cost varies from vendor to vendor. It is assessed by the size of the data copied. Usually vendors charge on the compressed size of the backup files.

Offsite data backup software is a painless, risk free and cost effective solution for achieving security for the priceless data.

Offsite data backup has been gaining popularity amongst all strata of computer users. The basic reason is that this process is suitable and advantageous to a whole plethora of business enterprises. There are many distinct advantages of offsite data backup. The main points are as follows: -

Data Security

This is the prime reason for opting for offsite data backup. The data is a very precious utility. At the same time, it is very fragile too. By using offsite backup facility ensures the security of the data. The data is being backed up continuously. There is no danger of data loss due to badly planned backup schedules. At the remote location, it is safe from electric surges, virus attacks, fire, natural calamities, theft and cyber crimes.

Data Confidentiality

The data is first encrypted before being transmitted to the remote location over Internet lines. It can be decrypted only by the key available to the user. Hence, the confidentiality of the data is assured.

User Friendly Interface

The setup involves a simple installation of the relevant software. Sometimes it is easily downloadable from the Internet. The user can customize the software as per requirement.

Easy Data Restore

A backup is as good as the restore it provides. Offsite backups can be easily restored in no time. The only requirements are the user’s password, the encryption key and an online Internet connection. Even a single file, that has been deleted by mistake, can be easily restored from the backup.

Eliminates Human Intervention

The human factor is the root cause of various errors. Offsite data backup minimizes human intervention thereby reducing chances of errors. The completely automated system eliminates all types of errors.

Redundancy From Storage Device Management

Offsite data backup releases the user from the hassle of managing the storage devices. There is no need to change or maintain tapes and other media.

Easy System Update

This is a scalable solution that can expand as per the needs of the business. There is no need to invest in additional storage drives if the data is expanding. It is fast to setup and easy to maintain.

Cost Productive

There can be absolutely no cost attached to the data. Users truly realize the data’s worth when they have actually lost it. Apart from the intrinsic worth, there are other cost benefits of an offsite data backup.

So stop worrying about the security of data and start using latest technologies like offsite data backup to protect your data.

It is very important to safeguard your business against the lurking menace of data loss. There is data on the computers, tons of email and vital information stored on cell phones that is critical to the business. There are many threats to the data from drive failure, virus attack, fire and other natural calamities. Loss of such important data hurts the enterprise badly and it may take ages to recover. Most small and medium size businesses do not implement any data protection plan. As a result, it is pure hell if disaster strikes. A more relaxed business owner has a data backup program in place.

The traditional backup storage systems incorporate storage on media devices like magnetic tapes or optical drives. However, the fear of natural calamities has forced the industry to look at new initiatives. Offsite data storage is a new alternative that is proving safer. The historical backup techniques rely too much on human intervention to be fault free. Consider a business influenced by the WTT September 11th disaster or the Hurricane Katrina. It must have sounded the death knell for many businesses having online data storage systems.

In addition, there has been a spurt in cyber crimes. This is another major incentive to opt for offsite data backup.

Offsite data backup is a reliable alternative where all the data is first encrypted. Then this coded data is transmitted to an offsite storage location for storage. The data transfer is done through an online, encrypted Internet connection to a secure location. The data is stored there and a copy kept safe at a different location.

Initially offsite data storage was an expensive project. Only large business enterprises could afford to get such a backup system installed. With the passage of time, Internet technology has peaked. In addition, the data transfer speed has increased dramatically. These factors have brought down the cost of the offsite data backup making it affordable for smaller businesses too. Even individuals are opting for offsite backup for their home computers and laptops.

The world today is being ruled by technology. Computers and Internet influence every sphere of life you touch. People correspond over the Internet through emails, video conferencing and chatting software. There is a vast amount of critical data stored in your machine at home and at work in the forms of letters, spreadsheets, music and video files. For businesses such as insurance and banking, the data is the most precious commodity to be saved at all cost. The data stored on your computer faces threat from many angles. The computer hard disk is a mechanical device. It is prone to wear and tear and damage. An electric surge or an intense magnetic field can warp its storage system. There fore it is necessary to have a second line of defense. A copy of all this critical data must be saved somewhere.

The process of copying all the relevant data on a removable or remote storage device is called a backup. The data is copied on to a storage device and stored. There are various methods of taking backup. Some of them are Full backup, Incremental Backup and Mirror Backup. This copy of the data is taken at scheduled intervals. The type of backup depends upon the type and structure of the data. The media is labeled accurately to enable fast recovery. The data can be stored on many different storage media. Some of them are magnetic tapes, diskettes, CDs, DVDs, USB Flash Memory and other solid-state devices.

Even after the data has been copied on to storage devices and archived, it is still in peril. The storage media can be destroyed by fire or other natural calamities. There is a threat of theft or vandalism that may destroy the data. Offsite data storage is an answer to this. The backup storage media is stored in a remote location far away from the business site. This is a safeguard against natural calamities and other hazards like fire and theft.

Many software solutions automate the whole process of data backup. The data copying is activated at scheduled time and the backup is stored over the Internet as an offsite data backup. If a file or set of data is damaged, a copy of the same is made available at a request.

Those enterprises that value their data are including offsite data backup in their regular schedule. This is essential for the success of their endeavor.