Why businesses can’t rely just on the cloud
Tech Page One » IT Security by Michael O'DwyerCloud-based computer systems offer a lot of advantages for businesses. They can reduce costs, free up information technology resources and back up data in a secure but easily recoverable way.
But because the cloud operates entirely via the Internet, it has one major drawback: Businesses can only function if they’re online.
Jennifer Walzer, CEO of BUMI, says it’s critical to select a cloud service provider who specializes in backup and recovery, proactively monitoring your backup environment around the clock.
“The downside to cloud backup is that it is dependent on the availability of an Internet connection, which could be detrimental if data needs to be accessed for a restore,” says Jennifer Walzer, chief executive officer of BUMI, a New York City-based provider of managed online backup and recovery solutions for small to mid-sized businesses.
For that reason, businesses should consider a hybrid strategy where they take advantage of the cloud but also have on-site access to critical data.
‘Ideal backup strategy’
“The key requirements for an ideal backup strategy must integrate a hybrid approach that includes local, on-premise storage or appliances coupled with an off-site cloud solution that supports incremental file backup and archiving,” Walzer says. “Legislative and compliance concerns will also dictate third-party certifications, encryption and rules on how data are stored.”
Cloud backup and recovery services are still essential in case businesses endure fire, floods or other problems.
“The primary [advantage] of cloud backup is the safety and security of having your data replicated and stored in an off-site facility so it is impervious to any on-premise technical glitch, downtime, natural disaster or other outage,” says Walzer.
Cloud solutions also provide tangible benefits to users of portable devices.
“Mobile users can back up their devices without needing to be plugged into the corporate [local area network],” says Mounil Patel, vice president, strategic field engagement atMimecast, a Watertown, Mass.-based provider of cloud-based business solutions.
Recovery takes time
But relying on the Internet alone to run your business has its own risks. If something goes wrong, for example, it may take awhile to recover all your data.
“Remember, restoration time is critical to getting your business back up and running again, so copying gigabytes of data back across your Internet connection may not be as efficient as being able to courier a portable hard disk from a data center,” says Sonia Cuff, owner of Computer Troubleshooters Aspley, a Brisbane, Australia-based company that provides technology advice and support to small businesses.
That’s why it’s good to have local backup in addition to cloud storage.
“Companies with bandwidth constraints may have no choice but to go with an on-premise solution,” says Mimecast’s Patel.
Businesses also need to select the right cloud provider, since some are better than others and companies may have specific needs for security, backup and recovery.
‘Thorough evaluation’
“Before engaging with a cloud solution vendor, organizations must conduct a thorough evaluation of the company they plan to utilize,” says BUMI’s Walzer. “Privacy, financial health, data center security measures and security concerns must be carefully vetted to ensure your data are safeguarded.”
And make sure you chose a cloud provider who can get you back up and running quickly.
“It is a certainty that your data will need to be restored when a failure or outage occurs, so it is critical to select a vendor who specializes in backup and recovery,” says Walzer.
Mimecast’s Patel believes there are several criteria for picking the right provider.
“The most obvious items to look for in a cloud-based solution provider are high service availability service level agreements (SLAs), strong security and access control, scalability and performance, and company stability,” he says.
Another important thing to consider is what happens if you decide to change providers.
The ‘exit clause’
“A less obvious item that is often overlooked is the exit clause,” says Patel. “How do you get your data back if you leave the vendor’s service? The best cloud vendors do not hold their customers’ data hostage as a retention strategy.”
Businesses also should be aware that backing up data is different from synchronizing, which duplicates errors on the original data. A backup is an independent copy taken at predefined schedules.
“Many businesses think that just ‘syncing’ their data to the cloud provides them with an effective backup,” Computer Troubleshooters’ Cuff says.
“The truth is that file synchronization by itself puts your cloud data at risk of corruption,” Cuff adds. “It just takes one virus or malware infection on your computer for your files to become unreadable. And when those file changes upload to the cloud, your backup copy is useless too. Unfortunately we’ve seen this happen on more than one occasion.”
“Ideally, you want to use reputable backup software to manage data copies to the cloud,” she continues. “This way, you’ll have more control over synchronization and versioning of your files.”
Above all, have more than one backup for your important data.
“Your cloud backup should also be just one piece in your disaster recovery strategy, giving you fast access to working files while you arrange for full access to your software backup ‘images’ to restore entire systems,” Cuff says.
The post Why businesses can’t rely just on the cloud appeared first on Tech Page One.
Jennifer Walzer, CEO of BUMI, says it’s critical to select a cloud service provider who specializes in backup and recovery, proactively monitoring your backup environment around the clock.For that reason, businesses should consider a hybrid strategy where they take advantage of the cloud but also have on-site access to critical data.
‘Ideal backup strategy’
“The key requirements for an ideal backup strategy must integrate a hybrid approach that includes local, on-premise storage or appliances coupled with an off-site cloud solution that supports incremental file backup and archiving,” Walzer says. “Legislative and compliance concerns will also dictate third-party certifications, encryption and rules on how data are stored.”
Cloud backup and recovery services are still essential in case businesses endure fire, floods or other problems.
“The primary [advantage] of cloud backup is the safety and security of having your data replicated and stored in an off-site facility so it is impervious to any on-premise technical glitch, downtime, natural disaster or other outage,” says Walzer.
Cloud solutions also provide tangible benefits to users of portable devices.
“Mobile users can back up their devices without needing to be plugged into the corporate [local area network],” says Mounil Patel, vice president, strategic field engagement atMimecast, a Watertown, Mass.-based provider of cloud-based business solutions.
Recovery takes time
But relying on the Internet alone to run your business has its own risks. If something goes wrong, for example, it may take awhile to recover all your data.
“Remember, restoration time is critical to getting your business back up and running again, so copying gigabytes of data back across your Internet connection may not be as efficient as being able to courier a portable hard disk from a data center,” says Sonia Cuff, owner of Computer Troubleshooters Aspley, a Brisbane, Australia-based company that provides technology advice and support to small businesses.
That’s why it’s good to have local backup in addition to cloud storage.
“Companies with bandwidth constraints may have no choice but to go with an on-premise solution,” says Mimecast’s Patel.
Businesses also need to select the right cloud provider, since some are better than others and companies may have specific needs for security, backup and recovery.
‘Thorough evaluation’
“Before engaging with a cloud solution vendor, organizations must conduct a thorough evaluation of the company they plan to utilize,” says BUMI’s Walzer. “Privacy, financial health, data center security measures and security concerns must be carefully vetted to ensure your data are safeguarded.”
And make sure you chose a cloud provider who can get you back up and running quickly.
“It is a certainty that your data will need to be restored when a failure or outage occurs, so it is critical to select a vendor who specializes in backup and recovery,” says Walzer.
Mimecast’s Patel believes there are several criteria for picking the right provider.
“The most obvious items to look for in a cloud-based solution provider are high service availability service level agreements (SLAs), strong security and access control, scalability and performance, and company stability,” he says.
Another important thing to consider is what happens if you decide to change providers.
The ‘exit clause’
“A less obvious item that is often overlooked is the exit clause,” says Patel. “How do you get your data back if you leave the vendor’s service? The best cloud vendors do not hold their customers’ data hostage as a retention strategy.”
Businesses also should be aware that backing up data is different from synchronizing, which duplicates errors on the original data. A backup is an independent copy taken at predefined schedules.
“Many businesses think that just ‘syncing’ their data to the cloud provides them with an effective backup,” Computer Troubleshooters’ Cuff says.
“The truth is that file synchronization by itself puts your cloud data at risk of corruption,” Cuff adds. “It just takes one virus or malware infection on your computer for your files to become unreadable. And when those file changes upload to the cloud, your backup copy is useless too. Unfortunately we’ve seen this happen on more than one occasion.”
“Ideally, you want to use reputable backup software to manage data copies to the cloud,” she continues. “This way, you’ll have more control over synchronization and versioning of your files.”
Above all, have more than one backup for your important data.
“Your cloud backup should also be just one piece in your disaster recovery strategy, giving you fast access to working files while you arrange for full access to your software backup ‘images’ to restore entire systems,” Cuff says.
The post Why businesses can’t rely just on the cloud appeared first on Tech Page One.
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