At this point most businesses are engaging in some form of data protection by engaging in regular backups and record keeping, but many small businesses still shun offsite tape storage in favor of keeping a small number of rotating tapes in house to use. There are various reasons why businesses engage in this practice–be it trying to cut costs, the perceived hassle of using a third party archive, or simply not realizing that their business can benefit from the service no matter its size. However, in the end the truth is that third party data storage is a beneficial service that plays a vital role in data protection and business continuity.
They key thing to remember is that third party data storage is like using a bank for your information. These companies employ a high level of security and organization to ensure that their clients’ backup files remain safe and easily accessible at all times. This is a very important safeguard against unexpected disasters such as fires or theft, and can help get a company back on track after a disaster in hours rather than days or weeks. They are, in essence, an insurance policy against digital Armageddon for your company.
It does not matter how big or small your business is, offsite tape storage should be a no brainer. You backup does you no good if it is destroyed along with the original data, so make sure you keep it somewhere safe and out of the way until such a time as you need it. If costs are a concern then simply use a tape rotation schedule that only archives weekly or monthly tapes at the offsite location rather than doing daily pick-ups. There are a number of ways that you can work around the costs and other obstacles in order to take advantage of secure storage. But stubbornly sticking to an in-house system is only putting your business and your clients at risk of theft or identity fraud. You have a responsibility to your clients and your company to ensure that never happens.
