Secure Backup
What is a secure backup?
A backup is a separate copy of data stored in order to allow the user of the data to recover after a data loss event of some sort. There are different types of backups and different methods of backing up. The correct backup solution for your organization may be composed of many different methods, but will generally have two large components: on-site and off-site.
An on-site backup can be as simple as saving a copy of a file in a separate drive or network directory, or having a server run an automated system backup process every day or as frequently as every fifteen minutes.
An off-site backup is when data is preserved in a different physical location from your organization. This is usually in place to preserve data lost from a large-scale network attack or failure, or a significant building or facility event, such as fire, flood or earthquake. This sort of backup is usually run on a daily basis.
All backups share a single characteristic – they are a planned response to unplanned events. Similar to a fire escape or lifeboat, they are designed, constructed and carefully maintained in order to prevent loss when unpredictable circumstances arise.
What are the implications of not performing proper backups?
In a recent study, 66% of internet users admitted to losing data from their home computers. On a larger scale, in 1996 the Credit Lyonnais headquarters in Paris was largely destroyed in a fire. When faced with the reality of an incomplete off-site backup system, several system administrators actually rushed back in to the burning building to try to retrieve data tapes, and despite such a foolish act crucial bank records were lost. Ramifications of not keeping proper backups are far-reaching:
Lost Productivity: Losing data or system configurations can slow down an organization over time. Repeating work and difficult data recoveries steal resources from other areas of an organization, and can frustrate and dishearten a workforce.
Legal Ramifications: Often for taxation purposes it is necessary to maintain a set of complete human resource and financial records going back several years. In the case of a large data loss event, the loss of these records could result in lengthy audit procedures or even prosecution. In many cases, professional and industry certifications demand a clear and consistent backup strategy.
Financial Implications: Replacing lost data or recovering lost system configurations take time when regular backups aren’t maintained. The old adage, ‘time is money’ certainly applies in the case of backups. When adding up the person-hours devoted to replacing lost information and the possible financial losses associated with reduced productivity and networking capabilities, a single data-loss event can, depending on magnitude, threaten the very financial solvency of an organization itself.
What are the advantages of Vaiz Enterprises Complete Care Secure Backup?
Our backup solution is a robust, automated, encrypted process offered to your organization at a reasonable fixed cost.
Robustness – Our three-tier approach offers secure backups for every contingency.
Encryption – Our backups are accessible only to those parties to whom the data belongs.
Automation – Our backups happen all the time, automatically, to ensure that your data is there when you need it.
Fixed Price – As part of the Vaiz Enterprises Complete Care package, secure backups are supplied to your company at one fixed monthly price. After our analysis of your data backup needs, we’ll work together with you to design the right solution, and that’s what you’ll pay for – nothing more.
All of these factors combined offer the most important benefit of any backup solution: peace of mind. When you work with Vaiz Enterprises secure backup system, your organization can move forward secure in the knowledge that their data is well guarded and thoroughly preserved.
What levels of data security and redundancy can Vaiz Enterprises Complete Care offer me?
Vaiz Enterprises Complete Care provides, where necessary, three tiers of data security:
The initial tier is the on-site level, which is sufficient to handle minor data losses. Your data (when applicable) is backed up through your own network and available on your own servers. This in-house solution is usually very good for recovering from user errors or unexpected desktop malfunctions. Because of the local nature of the backup, recovery time is short and the affect on productivity is minimal.
The secondary tier is the off-site level, which is sufficient for 99% of all data-loss events. We maintain two copies of all necessary backup information for all clients. This includes all system configuration settings and user accounts. At Vaiz Enterprises we have everything necessary to rebuild your system in its entirety, and return your system to pre-incident status. Additionally, all data which moves out of your organization is encrypted, and sent through secure, encrypted VPN transfer tunnels. This is to ensure that the owners of any backed-up data are the only parties able to use it. This second tier is a safe way of ensuring data protection against larger server-level failures, as well as protection against fire, localized flooding or lengthy power outages.
The third tier is a major loss recovery center located out-of-province. We have a secure datacenter located outside of Saskatchewan to ensure that, should some catastrophic event occur in Saskatoon which would make it difficult or impossible for data to move in and out of our clients’ organizations and our own, data would still be preserved and accessible.
This three-tier approach to your business data is just one part of the world-class data protection offered through Vaiz Enterprises. Another important aspect of our secure backup plan is automation. As part of your solution analysis, we will examine and assess your backup needs. Vaiz Enterprises will design a solution which meets your needs automatically. Usually this automatic backup occurs on-site every 15 minutes and off-site every day.
Peace of mind through a secure backup solution is just one aspect of Vaiz Enterprises Complete Care solutions. Our commitment to our clients is to provide the right solution that keeps data secure and available, for a reasonable, predictable fixed monthly cost.