Data Backup Plan: Online Backup Solution

I have previously talked about backup plans that include some of the most popular methods of storing data: an external hard drive, optical discs, and USB flash drives. Now I will look at a plan that doesn't use a physical media: online storage.

This method of backing up your data has been gaining popularity over the past few years as the Internet connection speeds have increased. Now it is possible to keep your data safe and secure, while at the same time have access to it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is Online Backup?

I have talked about online backup several times in the past, but as a quick refresher I will provide a general overview of what it is.

Online backup simply means storing your data online, instead of on a local physical media, such as an external hard drive. There are many services online that offer various packages and pricing to store your data. Once you find a provider that meets your needs, you usually download a small application that will upload your data to the provider's servers.

The application that is provided runs in the background and monitors any changes to your files or directories. Once it detects a change, the updated files are automatically uploaded and stored on the online backup provider's servers. If you, at any time, need a file, you can simply use the application to restore the file back onto your hard drive.

Is it Secure?

The one issue that will always be a concern is that of security. When you backup your data, you want to make sure that you data can't be tampered with or read by anyone but yourself. Most online backup providers will encrypt your data on your local hard drive before sending it to their servers.

When the data is sent to the servers, it is sent over an SSL connection, which is a secure, encrypted connection between systems. Once the data arrives on the servers, it will probably remain encrypted so only you can view the files.

It is important that before you sign up with an online backup provider, that you first look into their security policy to find out how they handle the security of your files.

A Good Backup Plan?

For many, online backups may not be right for them. I currently backup my data online and don't have a problem with using the service. There are things, however, that you will need to keep in mind with using such a service.

You will need a high-speed (broadband) Internet connection, especially if you have a lot of data. Transferring your files to their servers means that you will be uploading files, so the upload speeds of you ISP is important. ISP Upload speeds are usually much slower than download speeds, so it will take longer to upload your files than it will to download them.

Your initial upload will take a long time as all your files will need to be uploaded. Once the initial upload is complete, only the file updates are uploaded so it should take too long.

Many online backup providers limit the number of computers you can use to backup. If you have many computers, make sure you determine the cost of backing up all your systems before choosing a plan. If you only have one machine, then this shouldn't be an issue.

Make sure you also choose a plan that offers room to grow. Just because you have 2 gigabytes of data now, doesn't mean you will only have 2 gigabytes of data a year from now. Think about how much you may need in the future, and plan for the growth. Some online backup providers have a cost per gigabyte for storage, while others have unlimited storage for a fixed rate.

One more point to make is that you need to also choose a well-known provider. Well-known providers, such as Mozy and Carbonite, have been around for several years and know how to backup data. They are also less likely to go under, and you lose all your backups.

Backup Plan Results

Item	Rating
Cost	3 - The cost depends on the package. Some offer a certain amount of storage space for a fixed rate, while others charge per gigabyte.
Setup	4 - Depending on the application provided by your online service, it can be setup and configured automatically for you.
Disk Storage Space	4 - It depends on the package that you buy. Each online backup provider has a different set of packages and pricing.
Redundancy	5 - The online backup provider will usually have their own backup procedures in place to ensure that you don't lose your data.
Media Durability	5 - While you don't work with physical media, the provider would have high-quality backup servers and hard drives.
Offsite Backup	5 - Your data is automatically stored offsite when you upload the data to your provider.

Conclusion

Online data backup is becoming more popular with the increase in Internet speeds. While not for everyone, they make a great addition to a backup plan that already includes physical media.

The one benefit is that your data is automatically backed up and moved offsite. With the benefits there are also some concerns, such as security and stability. It is important to learn the security policy of your backup provider and to ensure that you are dealing with a stable, high-reputable company. Failure to fully research any of these two points could put your data at risk.