Why Offsite Backups Are Essential For Business
Recently I’ve been working with a client on some project planning. During my time at their office I’d learned how their business was nearly wiped out because of a fire which really inspired me to publish the story as an example of why offsite data backups are essential.
The company itself is very small, 6 employees but has a client base of approximately ten thousand people. They run a number of database applications to process their accounts which is all stored on the one server lock away in a store room at the office. The server also acts as a file share for the employees to save their office documents onto.
The owner of the business looked after the task of performing backups using a tape drive on the server but unfortunately that process only happened every couple of days, if even that. When he did bother creating a tape backup they would be taken home and left in a bag. The tape backups were not encrypted so he left himself opened to a major data breach and didn’t even realize it.
The company owner knew very little about the importance of proper data backups and encryption which is the main reason he was slack in ensuring precautions were put in place.
Suddenly one day an electrical fault in the building sparked a fire. By the time the fire service had arrived the blaze was out of control. Eventually when the fire was out the building was totally gutted and most items inside were totally destroyed. The server that was in the store room only had minor smoke damage so the owner took home, powered it on and was able to access his data.
After the fire the company had to relocated, purchase new computers and a new server. In all, they had approximately 7 full business days of downtime before they were in full operation again so thousands was lost in revenue.
From the experience of loosing his building the owner got more proactive in learning more about how to protect his business. He started to learn the different options available on the market, the pro’s and con’s of specific solutions. He decided on using a continuous online backup solution for the server from a provider that’s less than 2 hours away from his location.
Now the company runs a disaster recovery plan and he even struck a deal with another business to rent floor space for business continuity, just in case fire should strike again.
Unfortunately it usually takes something bad to happen for someone like this company owner to realise they need to put a plan in place. When I advise my clients on offsite backups I’ll explain, it is prevention before it happens.
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