Cloud Vs. Local Backups: Why You Need Both

When it comes to backing up your important business data, it should be easily accessible when needed to be retrieved in case of a disaster. But which backup option should you choose? Cloud or local? Both?  

Thinking ‘wait, there’s more than one type of backup?’ Our IT Specialists share some reasons why you should use both cloud and local backups for your company data:  

What is a Backup?

Backing up your data is important so that it is easily recoverable if there is an issue with a cyber-attack, data breach, or technical malfunction.  

Generally, a backup is a copy of your important data that is backed up to protect it. If the need to restore the data arises, it is readily available. This is where cloud vs. local backups come in. Yet many SMBs miss this critical step to protect their data – until it’s too late and you’ve lost it all.  

You may have an external hard drive at the office, but when was the last time it connected to your computer? Do you recall your cloud storage password and does it have enough space to manage your information? This is why it’s important to set up a backup routine and to use more than one type of data storage.  

Cloud Vs. Local Backups

Both cloud and local backups function to protect and save the data that is vital to your business. While local backup is mostly done onsite, cloud backup can be done remotely. Both are useful and have their own pros and cons, but that’s why the hybrid storage approach is good for growing businesses.  

Ultimately what you choose will depend on your business and what you feel comfortable with. Regardless of what your business does, or its size, it is wise to develop a backup system that you’ll stick with and use regularly.  

Let’s take a look at the differences between the two:

Local Backup

A local backup stores data on local storage devices. Think of a local backup as something that you might have on hand in your office, such as on a hard drive, flash disk, or CD (if still on floppy disks, we need to talk). This has been used for a long time and remains quite useful to save and restore data when necessary.  

There is also convenient software that can help businesses create local backups. While it is nice to have a hard copy of your data, sometimes even hard disks or flash disks can be damaged or compromised, so make sure to use encryption and passwords. Also, you may want to have multiple backups just in case.  

Pros:

• You don’t need an internet connection to restore data  
• Fast and easy
• Your data is free from malware attacks in your hard drive, flash disk, or CD

Cons:

• Can be costly to acquire and maintain
• Storage space may be limited  
• Portability or accessibility can become an issue with a physical product  

Is your business prepared to survive if data loss occurs? Do you have a plan in place if something catastrophic happens to your data? If not, your company should plan, prepare, and protect it NOW!

Cloud Backup

Cloud backup services have become popular in the last few years. Cloud-based backup and disaster recovery is becoming an integral role in securing business data.  

A cloud computer backup utilizes internet programs to manage and store data on a remote-based cloud server. With a cloud backup, you can store and restore data for as long as you want.  

Pros:

• Ability to scale up if needed /unlimited data storage capability  
• Cloud-based data backup is flexible
• Enables quick disaster recovery  
• Economical

Cons:  

• Relies on the internet, thus an internet connection is vital to be able to restore
• While generally secure, there can be cyber-attacks and data breaches

When was the last time you did a backup? IT tip: set a schedule and stick to it. Your data, and business, will thank you. Our IT experts recommend using both cloud and local backups. Have a lot of important data and need backup drive help, call our remote IT specialist today!

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Why You Need A Hybrid Approach to Data Storage

At IT Resources, we generally recommend a hybrid approach to your data backup and recovery. Using both, you can rest assured that your data is adequately secure and ready in the event of a disaster in need of recovery.

By using both you will have the faster backup capability offered by local storage, as well as the flexibility and ample storage space that come with cloud based backups.

Protect Your Business with IT Resources

A combination of cloud based storage and local hardware backups will help insure against data loss, which is the goal for a BDR solution. By using a hybrid approach to your data backup, we will adequately secure your most important data and keep it safe until you might need it.  

At IT Resources, we take a proactive approach to your IT. We’ll design a backup and disaster recovery system that fits your businesses’ unique needs now and as you grow. Call our Tampa, Florida IT specialists today for a backup and disaster recovery consultation: (813) 908-8080

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