The Five S’s You Should Know to Make the Right Decision on a Cloud Backup Service

Investing in a cloud data backup service is one of the best decisions any business owner can make. A natural disaster could hit your town and destroy your systems, an employee could spill a drink on her computer and destroy it or someone could steal your equipment, but backing up data in the cloud will keep your business from facing a technological crisis.

Cloud data backup stores existing data in an off-site server, making it available anytime, anywhere you need it. Data is frequently synced or updated, mirroring your system in real time. Cloud data backup offers significant benefits: (1) your business is disaster proof so you can sleep better. (2) cloud backup can save you tons of time and money in restoring your operations if a disaster does strike. Here are 10 things to look for when choosing a cloud data backup service.

Storage

Know how much cloud storage you need. Cloud data backup providers offer anywhere from 1GB to unlimited space, giving businesses a wide range of choices based on their needs.

Scalability

It may seem impossible to determine exactly how much cloud data backup storage a business needs and a lot of factors must be considered, such as the number of employees and computers, the volume of data and the type of business. Look for a service that offers scalability and agility so that your backup can grow as your business grows. You don’t necessarily have to shell out for unlimited space, but your options should include purchasing more space than you need or signing up with a vendor that offers flexible solutions.

Security

You need your data to be safe in the cloud. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so ask vendors how your data is protected. Some things to look for include at least 256-bit encryption at rest and during transit (in storage and while being sent to and from the server), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and local and off-site data storage.

Support

By using a cloud data backup service, you are entrusting your business’s operational foundation to a third-party provider. You want to know that they have your back when something goes wrong or you need help. While some servers offer excellent support, others may as well be nonexistent. Choose a vendor that can be contacted via multiple channels, such as phone, email, chat and even social media.