Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cloud Data Backup Service

By Karen Houghton, Aztech IT Solutions

All businesses should consider what might happen to their business data if a server goes down or an unexpected disaster occurs, whilst the chances of a major disaster are quite remote, human error, hardware faults or theft could leave organizations vulnerable. So for every scenario it’s crucial that businesses have the tools in place to recover data.

If an incident does occur a cloud based backup provides businesses with extra security. As the files are hosted off site they're less likely to be affected by the same issues. There’s a wide range of cloud solutions available to businesses, but it’s important to choose the right solution tailored to your business needs.

Here’s are five important factors to consider when selecting a cloud data backup service:

1. The storage and scalability of the service

Research how much data or information the cloud data service provider can support, as it will vary from around 1 GB to unlimited data depending on the plan you choose. You should also consider how flexible the solution will be if you have multiple computers and employees using it at the same time, or if you need to increase the number of users due to new employees or systems.

2. How frequently are backups conducted?

Some providers do hourly, daily, or monthly backups. However, there are also some cloud providers who will do “real-time” backups and syncing of files. The most efficient providers will match backups to your needs and allow you to schedule them when the system is not being used, or when bandwidth use is lower.

3. How secure are the servers of the cloud service provider?

With the emergence of the Internet comes cyber-criminals as well as hackers, who will often try to get into cloud systems in order to collect confidential data, such as financial and personal information with the intention of either selling or exploiting it. So make sure that your chosen provider has the capabilities to deal with such attacks.

Also investigate whether they comply with the standards and regulations provided by your organisation, for example some organisations have to house their data in data centres based in the UK or EU, so it’s important to check this information before you begin looking for a provider.

4. How effective is their after-sales support?

Investigate the effectiveness of their customer service. Which communication channels do they provide in case you need support with their system or a recovery? Most providers have email, phone, chat, or social media support, so in case of emergency or any type of technical difficulty you can easily contact them.

5. Are they competitively priced?

There are different pricing schedules available for cloud service providers. Some provide a monthly cost per user, whilst others provide a yearly cost per user. In some cases, backup services are built into a larger service offering which will cover a specific number of users. So it’s a good idea to come up with a budget you can afford and then work with the provider to decide on the best solution for you.

These factors will help you decide on the best provider for you and, at the same time provide you with the most efficient and secure cloud services available. If you would like to learn more about the Cloud Solutions that Aztech have to offer and how they can be integrated into your business then please contact us today or visit our website.