In recent blogs, we’ve talked about backup challenges and keeping your data safe. Today, I’d like to talk about Cloud Backup Services you’ll find online and what you need to look for when choosing a service to fit your needs as well as a reliable provider.
Cloud backup Service Landscape
Today’s Service Providers may have interesting offers, but you need to be careful to get all the details to properly evaluate and ensure your data is safe, accessible and recoverable in the timelines you need. Here are some issues you may encounter from unreliable online providers you need to watch for:
- Enticing cloud backup offers that do not deliver
- No clear knowledge where your data will reside
- Lack of support when faced with issues
- Lack of Security for your critical data
- Ineffective restores
What to look for in a reliable Cloud Backup Service Provider
Do the shopping and compare pricing and service offers from Cloud Backup Providers that have been in the business of offering backup and recovery services for an extended period of time. Don’t take the shortcut to save time but rather ask for references and take them up on their trial offers. This is a sure way to find out the level of service they offer and if their support team responds to get the job done in reasonable timelines. The following questions also require clear answers:
- Where will your data be stored?
- What type of backup tool is being used?
- What type of facility will store your data?
- These are the answers you're looking for from these questions.
- Ineffective restores
As a Canadian-based Company, your data should be
stored in a Canadian facility. This facility should be a
Tier 3 or 4 that provides the highest level of security and availability. The backup tool should be
FIPS 140 certified to benefit from Government Approved Encryption. Lastly, with a Cloud Backup provider that offers Cloud VMs,
your backup will be easily restored on a cloud VM in the event your on premise servers are not available.
You want to find a Service Provider that will bring together cloud solutions and services that best match your operational and management needs, integrating these with your existing IT infrastructure. This provider would be best suited if they can also provide you with professional services for the cloud that can rapidly and effortlessly close any gaps in your needs and add value to your business. Lastly, you can pay for what you use, and bill internal departments appropriately.
Address the risk factors
If downtime and data loss is a constant concern for your organization, a Cloud backup Service can address the risk and minimize service outages caused by data loss in cloud workloads. Take advantage of rapid, user-driven recovery to ensure smooth business operations!
If you have any questions about the selection of a Cloud Service Provider, feel free to contact me at the number below or send me an email for advice and to discuss your challenges and business needs.
Chris Charette
Vice President of Business Development and Services
905.508.8489
Sentia