Cloud Backup for Small Business

There is a myth in business that only enterprise organizations need to backup their data. Many small business owners choose to stay away from infrastructure and IT altogether due to lack of knowledge. However, industry experts understand that it is imperative for any business to backup their data. What would happen in a situation that someone breaks into your business and steals equipment? What can you do if your hard drive crashes and none of the files are recoverable? Unfortunately, for many small businesses the answer is “nothing.” Throughout this article we will discuss why utilizing cloud backup for small business has become essential.

Before we break down exactly what cloud backup is and how it applies to small business, it is important to understand what the cloud is as a concept. Many professionals have heard the term “cloud” used as a buzzword in sales presentations or in TED Talks but many don’t understand what it actually means.

The cloud refers to servers that are accessed remotely over the internet, including the software and databases that run on those servers. It represents a shared bank of resources used for storing, managing, and processing data that can be accessed from various devices. The main benefit of cloud computing is the elimination of many unnecessary costs associated with building, maintaining, and protecting on-premise IT infrastructure. You are able to access your data even if you lose your computers and hard drives.

The invention of the cloud has revolutionized many industries including the data protection space. Cloud backup means utilizing these remotely accessible servers to store vital information for your business. Cloud computing is so beneficial for small businesses for many reasons. For one, it gives owners the peace of mind knowing that if disaster strikes their business can continue running and their information is safe on the cloud.

While it is important to understand what the cloud does and how it can benefit your business, it is equally as important to understand what situations require cloud backup. The primary causes of data loss for small businesses are:

• Human Error
• Human Failure
• Software Corruption
• Theft
• Computer Viruses
• Hardware Malfunction

Many small business owners believe they are safe from the targeted attacks by hackers. They believe that career criminals would rather attack enterprise businesses with a much more vast infrastructure and valuable data. This exact thought is actually why criminals have been targeting small businesses at an increasing rate. Many small businesses are not properly secured and are left open for attack.

Public cloud storage is essentially a storage environment used by many tenants, often for storing less sensitive information. The main benefit of public cloud storage is the low-cost and accessibility. Popular examples include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Private cloud storage is a type of storage environment owned by one private company. It is normally managed through internal resources or a third party vendor. The main benefit of private cloud storage is the customization and full data control. The largest vendors in the private storage industry include VMware, Dell EMC, and Hewlett Packard.

Hybrid Storage

Hybrid cloud storage entails the mix of both private and public storage. This allows a business to benefit from the economical advantages of public storage, while having full control of sensitive information using private storage.

Ameritech Data Solutions has a great deal of experience managing cloud backup for small businesses. Do not be intimidated by the technology as ADS will guide you through the entire process and provide recommendations for your specific application. If you’re interested in how cloud backup can benefit your small business, reach out to Ameritech Data Solutions today.