Automatic Remote Data backup - Is there any Catch?

However, the popular among these is of course the Internet as it saves a lot of time and also trouble such as the cost incurred in physical transport of data to the concerned location etc. Here, we concentrate primarily on the backup of data by means of the Internet.

Features of Online Data Backup

This works primarily by means of software that are present on the client’s system or local server which perform periodic checks regarding the modifications in the data that is present there.
Some of this software can backup specified files (these may be the ones that are used extensively in your concerned work) immediately after they are opened. Thus, they offer you immediate backup of your data.
This software works primarily for Windows XP and other versions of Windows. But, some of them support many operating systems simultaneously.
The data that is present in various branches of the same business is backed up using this technique in a coordinated manner.
A feature that is present in very few among this online backup software are provision of access to the backed up files through a browser. This may prove to be useful but can possibly giver rise to some security issues.
Rather than transferring the complete data, some software transfer the binary data only thus offering you compression in data size as well.

Advantages of Online Data Backup

Online data backup has practically no human involvement on the client’s side that is required in other modes of data backup. Also, as this process is automatic, it saves a lot of time, as no separate time needs to be allocated for backup of data. Since no human factor is involved, you could be satisfied about your data security.
The most important and distinguishing advantage is that the data is stored at a separate geographical location and that too without any cost involved in its transport. Such a backup will keep you away from any natural disasters, fire, etc.
Most of such backup services also maintain a list of modifications in your files thus allowing you to access certain previous records if so required.
It provides a secure means of data backup with features such as high level encryption.
Although, the actual cost of online data backup may be a bit higher than that of the other data backup means, it proves to be quite economical if performed on a large scale, as you do not have to employ any separate staff for the same.
Another advantage is that there is no restriction on the available space for data backup. Thus, you can store unlimited amount of data without any hassles regarding the restrictions on storage space as in case of most of the other data storage media.
It offers you a variety of options regarding the backup of data such as the time intervals at which your data is backed up, free or trial versions of the software so that you can check the quality of service that is offered.

Disadvantages of Online Data Backup

Restoration of the data in case of data loss may be time consuming, as the available bandwidth may not allow transfer of large amounts of data at the same time. Other means include physical transfer of data from the backup site that may again be time consuming.
Your backed up data may be at risk if the company that handles your data backup changes ownership or does not remain in business for long.
This solution may not be viable for small businesses and may prove to be very expensive for them.
Management of the data that is stored online may prove to be troublesome, as many times you would have no control over how the data that has been backed up is saved.

Apart from these few minor disadvantages, online data backup poses no issues at all. Also, these problems can be overcome by making proper choice of the service provider. For this proper, analysis about the service provider should be carried out before securing the services.

So, if your business requires large amounts of data backup, remote online backup is one of the best ways of doing it.

About the Author

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are concerned about data loss and would like more information on Data Recovery see http://www.fields-data-recovery.co.uk