Why You Should Backup Your Data To The Cloud

Whether you are running a small, local business or you’re in charge of the IT systems for a large government agency, it’s very important to back up your data on a regular basis. In the past, small businesses, and even some larger companies, made do with local backups. But with cost-effective cloud services freely available, there’s no reason to make do anymore. A cloud backup really should be a part of your disaster recovery preparations if you take your business seriously. If you are not sure why you should be using a cloud backup facility and what they can offer your organisation, you will find the information you need below.

Why should you use a cloud backup service?

For small business owners, IT administrators in larger organisations and anybody who has accumulated a large amount of data that they cannot afford to lose, here are the reasons to consider using a cloud backup service, sooner rather than later.

• Scalability — One of the biggest problems associated with backups to on-premises servers is a lack of scalability. As more and more data is accumulated, storage space often becomes a major issue. Whilst the option of purchasing new servers and hard disks is always there, the cost of doing so becomes more and more onerous as a business expands. With the vast resources offered by major cloud service providers, space is never an issue. No matter how large your organisation gets, you will easily be able to find a cloud backup service that scales with it.
• Compliance — Data protection standards here in Australia require organisations in the private and public sectors to have documented backup and disaster recovery procedures. Similar standards in many other countries have the same requirements. Whilst Australian standards do not stipulate that you must use cloud services, the easiest way for larger organisations to ensure compliance is to transfer their data to a cloud backup in Australia. By doing so, you will easily be able to remain in full compliance as your business or public sector organisation evolves and grows.
• Availability — If you want to make sure that you can recover your data, no matter what type of disaster may occur, a cloud backup service is by far the best option. As it can be accessed from any location, assuming you have the necessary permissions, even a natural disaster that renders your office systems unusable would not prevent you from retrieving your data.
• Ease of maintenance — With a public cloud backup solution, you never have to worry about upgrading or repairing the servers on which your data resides. Your IT team can focus on new developments and in-house maintenance tasks, safe in the knowledge that your cloud service provider is taking good care of the servers that are hosting your data backups.

If you have yet to make cloud storage a part of your backup and disaster recovery plans, now would be an excellent time to rethink your position. Cloud storage and backup services have never been more affordable or easier to use.