6 Reasons Your Business Should Choose the Cloud for Data Backup
The days of monitoring, fixing, upgrading and swearing at your in-office servers could be over if you invest in cloud services. Using a cloud simply means that your business is sending, saving and managing its data and computing services at an off-site location. You might be picturing a giant floating computer lab in the sky, but actually, cloud computers are housed in huge global data centers.
Cloud Options
Keep in mind there are three options you have for your business’s data management. You can continue using your on-site, on-premise hardware and software system, which is called “private cloud”. Or, you could make the move to “public cloud” using a third-party cloud provider. The third method is using a “hybrid”. What is hybrid cloud? It’s a combination of using a public cloud platform and your onsite computers to manage your data and computing systems. Many businesses are choosing to keep some of their sensitive data and projects on the premises so they might choose a hybrid option to also take advantage of the public cloud’s benefits.
No matter which cloud option you choose, the bottom line is knowing how you will maintain protection and restoration of your company’s vital information. Here are 6 reasons experts cite for investing in cloud services:
1. Disaster Protection
Fire, flood, lightning strike or anything else that can substantially damage your office poses a risk to your business’s on-site data storage. Storing your data on the cloud will provide the protection you need to restore any losses that might occur during the damaging event. And, because the cloud is continuously backing up your information, you should be able to recover all data transmitted up to moments before the loss or disruption occurred.
2. IT Relief
Not only does a cloud system help you save time with “hands-off” management, but your IT staff will also have fewer burdens. Normally, your IT staff would need to do manual backups, monitoring and problem fixing with your on-site servers. Once your business’s system is on the cloud, IT can do all of their tasks with a click of a mouse on a web-based program through the cloud provider.
3. Reduced Downtime
When a problem on-site causes an interruption in data transfer, you are stuck in data recovery limbo until the issue is fixed. This downtime can impact your workload, customer satisfaction, and your operating costs. There are so many protective steps in the cloud storage process that reduce your risk of data loss and help prevent any downtime from occurring. In fact, most restoration of data from the cloud can take place in minutes.
4. Built-In Compliance Aids
Most businesses have standards for maintaining privacy and records retention. When you use the cloud, your data is secure through the transfer all the way to storage and access. There are consistent control methods in place which you can use to demonstrate your adherence to the rules and regulations.
5. Friendly Budgeting
When investing in a cloud provider, you don’t need to worry about software, and backup hardware you would normally need for your on-site data protection. Instead, you will pay a monthly subscription fee and the cloud provider handles all the storage and infrastructure on their end.
6. Cloud Provider Expertise
When you choose a cloud provider, you can feel confident that they have the latest technology, and infrastructure to handle your data needs. All of your data protection costs are now absorbed into your subscription, and the cloud provider handles the rest. You now have more time to devote to your company’s other projects or obligations, and you can relax a bit knowing your data is safe.
Before moving your data to cloud country, consider what your needs are and plan your budget accordingly. If you are interested in a hybrid cloud model, know that there are thousands of others who have already taken this path and can advise you. Best of luck to you and your business in achieving your ideal data protection solution.
