In the quick-paced business world, data is the key to a company’s survival. That data most flow and be protected at all costs from almost every imaginable problem. If the data concerning a customer, a product or an operation is misplaced, destroyed or scrambled; then your company could be in peril. The key to protecting your data is twofold. You must back it up on a regular basis and it must be kept in multiple and safe locations.

There are ways to achieve this protection using on-site physical protection, computer networking and internet-based protection and backup. While this project may sound daunting, it is very easy for a small business to set-up their own grid of protected storage. We’re going to show you a simple 3-step program that can be used as a frame and tweaked to fit your own small business. First, you need to be aware of two different types of storage. Network-attached storage (NAS) and cloud computing. These terms will be explained in steps one and three of the plan.

Step 1: NAS and the solutions it offers. A NAS network should be the core of your new program. Network-attached storage is a file-level computer data storage unit connected to a computer network. This server is connected to all the computers in your company or office and shares the files from one source. They are often specialized computers built from the ground-up for this purpose. They usually contain more than one hard drive; using logical, redundant storage containers or RAID arrays. If your business works with large amounts of data, a NAS network makes access, configuration and administration far easier. It can create such simpler and cost-effective systems as load-balancing and fault-tolerant e-mail and web servers. It’s a good choice because it takes the work and stress off individual computers and servers.  We list some great NAS products and the companies that make them at the end of the article.

Step 2: Combining NAS with a great product, the ioSafe SoloPRO external hard drives. IoSafe is famed for their construction of disaster-proof hard drives and their SoloPRO line is a great choice for small businesses to combine with their NAS networks.  There are 23 different products in the SoloPRO line and here are some that would be a great fit for your business. The 1TB SoloPRO USB 3.0 Desktop Hard Drive is an excellent choice because it comes with a three year data recovery service with up $2500 of forensic data recovery and replacement. It is Linux, Mac and PC compatible and its fireproof skin protects data from loss in temperatures of up to 1550 Fahrenheit for up to ½ hour. For your purpose, the most important feature is the USB 3.0 and/or the e-STATA/USB 2.0 connectivity which allows the SoloPRO to connect to any NAS network. This connectivity feature is shared by the 2TB model, the 300GB SoloPRO SSD, the 1TB SoloPRO Desktop Hard Drive and the 3TB USB 3.0 Waterproof/Fireproof Hard Drive. The ioSafe drives can combine onsite protection with your NAS network, providing new levels of security for your data.

NAS + ioSafe SoloPRO is great for SMB

Step 3: Cloud protection. This type of storage uses the internet as a utility where your company sends its data to an internet storage grid. It is called a “Private Cloud” when a company engages a third-party to host an infrastructure where the data is copied, stored and updated on a regular basis. Your company can have this service for a monthly or yearly fee. Updates and copying schedules depend on the individual plan and what internet company you use. There are definite advantages in the areas of scalability, security, performance and multi-tenancy. This article provides a great list for companies interested in securing cloud coverage, “Top Cloud Computing Companies to Watch and invest in 2011”.

HDDFiresafe.com is always interested in connecting you with great products. These three companies make quality NAS devices that could fit your small business’s profile.

Synology: This Company specializes in NAS equipment for a variety of clients. In their small business & workgroups section they have many products available. Such as the RackStation RS411, the RackStation RS409 and their DiskStation line has the following; DS411, DS410, DS211 and the DS111.

LaCie: This French company has several lines of NAS products available. Such as the LaCie Network Space 2, the LaCie Network Space MAX, the LaCie 5big Backup Server, the LaCie 12big Rack Network and the LaCie CloudBox (which works perfectly with cloud coverage).

Pegasus Promise: They have several NAS products available The SmartStor NSx700 series is ideal for high-performance environments. The Enterprise Storage line is ideal for corporate structures and the SMB Storage line provides medium and small businesses with cost-effective ways to keep their data online longer. Pegasus is also involved with cloud storage solutions.

This basic plan covers all the bases. NAS allows your data to flow and perform better; the ioSafe products offer onsite protection and high-quality performance and investing in private cloud protection will allow you the peace of mind of knowing your data is decentralized and off-site. The final layout of your plan is up to you but HDDfiresafe.com will be here to help you put the pieces to together.

Written by:

Joseph Fowler

HDDFiresafe.com

Safety First…Backup Your Data

A combination of onsite disaster proof hard drives, off site and online or cloud backup are the best bet.

One of the largest technological concerns a business or individual can face today is the loss or corruption of their files and data.

It is vital for your company, clients and to your own sense of security that you have a ready and adaptable backup plan in case a disaster scenario occurs. Research conducted by the University of Texas shows that only 6 percent of companies that suffer from a catastrophic data loss survive while 43 percent never reopen and 51 percent close their doors within two years.

A recent NFIB poll shows that man-made disasters affect 10 percent of small businesses and natural disasters have affected 30 percent of small businesses and in the United States hurricanes are by far the most destructive natural force affecting businesses with losses. The International Data Corporation analyst firm shows that 70 percent of all successful attacks on computer networks are carried out by employees and company insiders.

You need a plan.

Here is a three-step, easy to follow plan that will help your business protect its data files.

1. Archive Your Business Data Regularly:

There two steps to correctly archiving your data; identifying the critical data that needs to be saved and using an archiving method on a regular basis. Executables like software programs don’t need to be saved, if they are lost, reinstall them. All files that you have created and or modified should be saved and archived. From accounting numbers to individual e-mails.

After you’ve selected which data to archive, select and use a backup software program. There many different programs you can choose from. The key is to remember to archive your data regularly, on a nightly basis is often suggested.

2.  Creating Physical Data Backups:

Having a physical backup is necessary because of the chance of computer failure. Even dropping your laptop on the ground or spilling coffee on office unit could be disastrous.

One of the most reliable and cost effective physical backup methods for a small business is the external hard drive. They are simple to use (with most you only have to plug it into your computer’s USB port) and the price range is usually only several hundred dollars. Many external hard drives are also disaster-proof, like ioSafe’s SoloPRO

3.  Off-Site Data Backup:

To be truly secure, the best option is storing copies of your data off-site from the main archive. There are many options for this method; many businesses keep copies in bank vaults or at the homes of different employees.

One of the most popular methods is online backup; these websites will backup and save your data for a monthly or yearly fee. Here are some of the most popular companies that offer this service.

• Carbonite: Since 2005 this company has backed up over 100 billion files and recovered 7 billion of them from being lost. They offer a program for small businesses that is $229.00 a year for 250 GB of storage space with the option of upgrading, automatic backups and a free month-long trail. http://www.carbonite.com/en/
• Mozy: Also founded in 2005, this company has over 70,000 business customers. They have many options for businesses such as encryption, custom configurations and automatic backups. The pricing is different for desktops and servers; learn more here: http://mozy.com/
• SugarSync: This company offers different features such as Apps for smart phones and pooled storage for multiple users. Their business plan is 100 GB of storage for three users at 29.99/month and 299.99/year and is upgradable. Learn more about them here: https://www.sugarsync.com/

The fact that you’re thinking about data backup and considering a plan is a great step in the right direction. It is also important to remember that when it comes to the safety and success of your business and clients, redundancy is the magic word. If you use online backup then also have an external hard drive in your office or a disaster-proof lockbox filled with zip-drives. If you backup your data every night then make sure that a copy gets sent to a secure off-site location.

Whatever system you decide to use to backup your data, backup that backup system!

Author: Joseph Fowler