Small business owners are being advised to invest in an external hard drive to back up their data. Not only is it more cost-effective than a tape drive system, but it’s also incredibly easy to use – simply plug the hard drive into the USB port of your computer.
But what if you’re looking for a more comprehensive backup solution? There are several options available, including Acronis Cyber Backup software, which offers a cloud version of its Cyber Protect service. Other options include MSP360, NAKIVO, Veeam, and a data center backup and recovery solution from Unitrends. Altaro VM is also a popular choice for backing up virtual machines.
Of course, cost is always a consideration. Acronis Cyber Backup starts at $69.95 and charges $99 per year for each feature. While there isn’t a free version available, it is possible to test the software for free. For more comprehensive backup solutions, organizations can expect to pay between $2 and $4 per GB per month, while lower-level data backup will cost closer to an average of $1 per GB per month.
For those looking for a backup server, virtualization in a datacenter is a great option. A comprehensive, managed solution typically starts at $500, plus $2 to $3 per gigabyte per month in addition.
But where can you backup large amounts of data? While USB sticks are small, cheap, and convenient, they’re also easy to lose. External hard drives are a better option, as are network attached storage devices. And of course, cloud storage is always an option – just be sure to choose a reputable provider.
One such provider is Backblaze, which is known for its affordable pricing. But how can they offer unlimited backup for such a low cost? According to the company, most users only backup a small amount of data.
When it comes to data security, Polycloud is a top choice. The company uses state-of-the-art encryption and a distributed network to ensure that data is widely dispersed. Their 20/40 encoding scheme means that a malicious attacker would need to physically access 20 of their nearly 300,000 devices to access any data.
But is it mandatory for businesses to back up their data? While there’s no legal requirement, any business that maintains data on its computer that it does not want to lose should consider data backups. And for businesses, backups are even more important because they must maintain so many records.
So how often should a small business back up its data? Experts recommend backing up important data at least once a week, but preferably once every twenty-four hours. These backups can either be manually or automatically performed.
When it comes to the best backup solution, cloud storage services like IDrive Personal and Backblaze Business Backup offer great overall performance and value. For power users, Acronis True Image is a great alternative to cloud storage. And for small businesses, CrashPlan Pro and SpiderOak One offer comprehensive backup solutions with competitive pricing.
Ultimately, the best backup strategy will depend on your organization’s specific needs and budget. But with so many options available, there’s no excuse not to have a reliable backup system in place.