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Did you know the following three facts?
- 90% of businesses that lose data from a disaster are forced to close within two years of the disaster. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, May 2003
- "You must safeguard your own or anyone else's data, by appropriate precautions against loss, corruption or unauthorized disclosure" - Data Protection Act, 1998
- Over a 6 month period in 2001, over 2900 laptops were left on London taxis - BBC, 2001
Most of us when we think about the role of computers within business tend to think only about the physical hardware rather than the actual data which resides on it. However, even the most basic PC can contain information worth many thousands or even millions of pounds which may have taken years to create and would be impossible to recreate if it was lost. Statistics tell us that the majority of computer failures and data loss are the result of hardware problems with user error being a close second. In business it used to be that data was created on servers which were backed up to tape at regular intervals, but times have changed. Tape backups still have a place, but with the advent of newer technology and changing business methods there have been considerable changes in where backups need to occur and also how the backup is performed.
Today most businesses are small and lack the in-house expertise required to manage a tape based backup system. In addition, information is created and stored on laptops and PC’s rather than centralised servers and therefore a new method for protecting that data with minimal administration is required.
In order to protect your business data you need to consider what data you need to RECOVER in the event of a disaster and HOW you are going to recover it. The best backup systems will have the following features;
- Reliable yet simple recovery methods
- Data encryption
- Automation (‘set it and forget it’)
- Ability to move your backups offsite
The table below lists the most commonly used methods businesses use to protect their data.
Method |
Recovery |
Encryption |
Automation |
Offsite |
Capacity |
Cost |
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BackupMyStuff |
Simple |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Flexible |
Low - Average |
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Tape |
Specialist knowledge required |
Possible |
Yes |
Possible |
Fixed |
High due to need to replace tapes frequently |
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CD/DVD |
Simple |
Possible |
No |
Possible |
Fixed |
Low |
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Portable Hard Drive |
Average |
Possible |
Yes |
No |
Fixed |
Average |
If we compare the most common backup methods, it is easy to see that the most frequently used backup method (TAPE) is easily the most expensive, problematic and highest risk method you could choose. CD's, DVD's and extra hard drives all have their problems too. The amount of time required to administer all these forms of backup should not be forgotten In contrast BackupMyStuff provides you with all the features you require and yet is one of the lowest cost methods you can use. The system is self managing and key issues such as data protection and getting your backups offsite are easily addressed. Unlike tape backups, BackupMyStuff is compliant with the Data Protection Act and helps businesses meet the requirements which this Act imposes. What's more, we let let you evaluate it completely free of charge for 15 days, so that you can be absolutely sure that it is the right solution for you.
As the business landscape has changed, so has the technology supporting it and BackupMyStuff is part of this new technology.
Click on the ‘TRY IT' button to get our backup software. This will give you a completely free 15 day trial of our software.
Need more help
Please visit our support section or call our support line on 0845 644 7522
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