Let’s face it. We’ve all encountered businesses that boast, “Our data is being stored in the cloud, protecting our data, ensuring business continuity, and mandating compliance without overburdening the IT team.” 

If you’ve never used cloud backup for your business, you might be second-guessing its need. This beginner-friendly guide will take you through the essentials and make a case for why it’s perfectly suited for your organisation. Let’s get right to it. 

 

What Is Cloud Backup? 

Also known as online or remote backup, cloud backup is a method of saving copies of files or databases to a secure off-site location. You typically engage in a cloud backup to protect data against things out of your control, such as equipment failure, disasters, or human error. 

A third-party cloud service provider manages your backup storage. They generally charge based on factors such as storage space, data transfer, number of users, servers, and retrieval frequency. 

 

3 Types of Cloud Backups  

A reliable backup system protects your data from system failures and cyber threats. Without a backup, recovering lost information is nearly impossible. You can perform various types of backup on your computer—of which cloud backup is the most popular one. 

Cloud backups come in three main types: 

  1. Full backups: A full backup creates a complete copy of all your data at a specific point in time. This backup type is handy if you want a total restoration. That said, it requires abundant storage space, which can be expensive. Another point to note: full backups are typically done weekly.
  2. Incremental backups: Incremental backups only save data that has changed since the last backup. Naturally, this method is more storage-efficient since it avoids duplicating unchanged data. But you’ve got a catch here as well: Restoring from incremental backups can take longer because each backup must be processed in sequence. In terms of frequency, these are usually done daily.
  3. Differential backups: Differential backups save all changes made since the last full backup. Midway between previous approaches, differential backups use less storage than full backups but more than incremental backups. Moreover, restoration from differential backups can also take longer, as each backup, since the last full backup, must be applied. These backups, too, are typically performed daily.

How Does Cloud Backup Work? 

Despite being around for decades, cloud backup has gained momentum in recent years—largely because of lower storage costs and widespread high-speed internet connectivity. 

Cloud backup services let you securely store your data off-site, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Here’s how it works: 

  1. Data Transfer: Your files are copied from your computer to the cloud provider’s servers.
  2. Compression and Encryption: Before storage, your files are compressed to save space and encrypted to ensure security.
  3. Storage: The encrypted files are then stored on the provider’s secure servers.
  4. Access: You can retrieve your files from any device with internet access whenever you need to.

This process ensures that your data is protected and accessible, even if your local hardware fails or is compromised. 

 

Benefits of a Cloud-Based Server Backup 

In comparison to an on-premise storage solution, cloud backup offers several advantages such as: 

  1. Easy to use: Cloud backup is extremely user-friendly. You can back up your data with just a few clicks; there’s no need for additional software or hardware. Plus, you can access your backups from anywhere with an internet connection.
  2. Always accessible: One of the best things about cloud backup is that you can access your data from any device with an internet connection. Whether you’re using a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, your files are always within reach. Businesses operating from multiple locations will find this feature useful.
  3. Secure storage: Your data is safe with cloud backup services. Cloud backup stores your files on secure servers and protects them against hackers and other growing threats. Many services also offer encryption, adding an extra layer of security.
  4. Affordable and reliable: Cloud backup is cost-effective and dependable. Services like iCloud and Dropbox offer free plans for basic users, and their paid plans are usually quite affordable. Additionally, cloud backup services are known for their reliability, with minimal outages or disruptions.

Potential Drawbacks of Cloud Backup 

While cloud backup has many advantages, there are some potential downsides to consider: 

  1. Slower uploads and downloads: Uploading data to the cloud can be slow, which might affect productivity. Downloading large amounts of data can also take a long time, especially if your internet speed isn’t great.
  2. Costs can add up: Cloud backup can become pricey, especially if you need a lot of storage or have high bandwidth usage. These costs can add up over time.
  3. Less control over data: When you use cloud backup, your data is stored on servers you don’t own or manage. This can mean less control over your data and potential delays in restoring files if you have to follow the provider’s process.

Is Cloud Backup Actually Safe? 

Yes. Cloud backup is generally safe, but choosing a reputable service is everything. 

In your search, consider these factors: 

  1. Encryption: The service must offer both server-side and client-side encryption to ensure your data is secure and only accessible to you.
  2. Data location: Find out where your data will be stored. Services that store data in multiple locations offer added security in case one location is compromised.
  3. Backup frequency: Check how often your data will be backed up. Some services back up data daily, while others do it in real time.
  4. Customer support: Enquire if the service provider offers 24/7 customer support so you can get help as needed.
  5. Pricing: Compare prices among 2-3 vendors and choose a service that fits your budget without compromising on security and features.

Say Goodbye to Manual Backups with Crazy Domain’s Cloud Based Server Backup Services 

Once you’ve decided to backup data to the cloud, finding the right partner should be a priority. Crazy Domain’s Cloud Backup services are well worth investigating. 

With our services, all your backups will be done automatically—no more worrying about running backups manually and wasting valuable time. You get storage flexibility and peace of mind, knowing you can access your backups from anywhere, anytime.  

Switch to Crazy Domain today!Â