You need to back up your small business data. What are the best services to use?

1 Why back up your data?

Backing up your data means creating a copy of it and storing it in a separate location from your original files. This way, if something happens to your computer, your network, or your cloud provider, you can still access your data and restore it to your system. Backing up your data can protect you from accidental deletion, hardware failure, theft, ransomware, natural disasters, and human error. It can also help you comply with legal and regulatory requirements for data protection and privacy.

2 What to look for in a backup service?

When selecting a backup service for your small business, there are many factors to consider, such as security, reliability, scalability, compatibility and ease of use. In terms of security, you should look into the encryption of your data in transit and at rest as well as features such as two-factor authentication, password protection and data retention policies. Reliability is also important; make sure to check the frequency of backups and how long it takes to restore data. Additionally, scalability is key - consider the storage space offered and its cost, as well as the ability to easily add or remove users, devices or data sources. Additionally, ensure that the service is compatible with your existing software and hardware and that it supports the file formats, platforms and applications you use. Finally, make sure it is easy to set up and manage with a user-friendly interface, automation, reporting and support.

3 Cloud vs local backup

When choosing a backup service, one of the main decisions you need to make is whether to use a cloud-based or a local-based solution. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, depending on your preferences and needs. Cloud backup services store your data on remote servers that you access via the internet, offering advantages such as accessibility, affordability, scalability, and security. However, you may depend on a reliable internet connection, lack control over who can access your data, and encounter compatibility issues with some file types. Local backup services store your data on physical devices that you own and manage, allowing you to have full ownership and control over your data and back up any file type without any restrictions. However, you need to invest in the hardware and software required for backup, protect your data from damage or theft, and can only access it from the device where it is stored.

4 Hybrid backup

A hybrid backup service can be an effective way to store data, as it combines the benefits of both cloud and local backup. This allows for more flexibility and security, while also helping to speed up backup and restore processes. Additionally, a hybrid backup service can reduce costs by using the local device for less critical data and the cloud server for more important data. It can also enhance security by using the local device for sensitive or confidential data, and improve recovery options by using the local device for granular or partial restores. Ultimately, a hybrid backup service can provide a reliable and comprehensive way to store your data.

5 Best backup services for small businesses

When it comes to small business backup, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best service for you depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. To give you some ideas, Backblaze offers a simple and affordable cloud backup service with unlimited storage space, automatic backup, encryption, and fast restore for a flat fee per device per month. Carbonite provides a more advanced and customizable cloud backup service with different plans featuring varying features. Acronis is a reliable and secure local backup service with a software that lets you create and manage backups on various devices. Lastly, IDrive offers a flexible and comprehensive hybrid backup service with features like encryption, sync, share, and remote management.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?