Backups & Recovery

Backups and Recovery

Backups & Recovery | BlueKey IT

Backups and Recovery Service Phoenix

Backups and recovery service is incredibly important for every business.  It is the insurance against a crisis that could happen in the future.  BlueKey IT includes off-site backups with every IT Service agreement since it is so important for each business. 

What are off-site backups?

Off-site backup service uploads a network image of the server with all of the files to a secure data center.  The data center has many protections in place against many of the dangers that could destroy data like water, electricity failures, fires, burglary, etc.  Once the initial data image, files and software are uploaded, incremental updates are made frequently to make sure it is up to date.  The backup schedule depends on how often the company needs the data updated.  Then each one occurs automatically. Off-site backups allow each BlueKey IT client to feel secure that any crisis that occurs, the company data will be preserved. 

 

I have an on-site backup already. Is that enough?Backups and Recovery

On-site backup is a wonderful safeguard for data.  It has the advantage of being local so uploads and downloads of data are quick and easy.  It can also be done inexpensively with a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device or local hard drive.  There are disadvantages of using on-site backups though.  Any physical crisis that may occur may also affect the backup device.  So data could be destroyed along with the hardware in the same circumstances.  These devices can also be stolen or physically damaged.  Another disadvantage is that many are set up to back up manually.  Business owners need a back up solution that is automatic so data is backed up routinely without relying on someone to manually backup data daily. 

 

Hybrid Local and Cloud Backup Advantages

The best solution is to set up a hybrid backup that includes both on-site and off-site backups.  BlueKey IT utilizes this solution for many of its clients since it gives the company the advantages of each solution.  The local backup is set up to automatically backup data routinely without a staff member’s assistance.  While an off-site backup is a perfect option so no on-site physical crisis will affect the data.  Then if either fails, there is a backup solution for the company. 

Crisis 

No one gets insurance because they want a medical condition but need to have it so good care is available if they need it.  Backups act in the same way. A crisis can occur in the network and backups allow for the data to be recovered.  Hard drives can fail, can be hacked or even get a virus and backups allow that data to be recovered.  Physical threats like fires, flooding or robbery also can damage the network equipment.  Employee error, disgruntled employees or robbery can also cause files to be lost.  In each of these circumstances, different types of backups lead to data recovery.  BlueKey prepares businesses if the worst happens with backups and a recovery plan. 

Ransomware 

60 percent of businesses have experienced a breach in the last 2 years.  One of the worst types of viruses is ransomware where a hacker holds the company’s data hostage until a sum of money is paid.  Having a good anti-virus protection program is helpful but it can be thwarted.  If the data is backed up off-site, the virus can be destroyed and the data recovered without paying ransom.  BlueKey IT uses proactive strategies to protect its clients so when the worst happens, the business data can be recovered.

Backups & Recovery
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Minimal Downtime During Recovery

Return to Operation (RTO) is a big deal.  If the network is down, how much time can a business owner afford to have the company down?  Having a backup allows for an image or duplicate of the same server to be restored quickly so staff can get back to business.  If the local backup is available, it can be recovered within a few hours. An off-site backup can provide the same RTO but the time will be dependent on Internet speeds and the amount of data being recovered.  Without a backup, the server would need to be rebuilt which can take a week or more to accomplish.  Meanwhile access to workstations, printers and data would be lost until the server was rebuilt.  Backups avoid downtime so employees can keep working and keep RTO times low. 

Less Expensive Recovery

Every moment staff is unable to work or work efficiently costs a business money.  Paychecks still need to be paid, staff managed, products produced and sold during a crisis.  A network that isn’t functioning can prevent each of these while still incurring the cost of staff.  For example, a law firm may employee several lawyers.  If each lawyer gets paid $4000 each week multiplied by five lawyers plus the inability to bill for more hours during that week, the loss could be $50,000 in losses for the week.  Backups are a good guarantee, prevent data loss and loss of revenue during data recovery.

Backups and Recovery

Software Preservation

Another cost and convenience factor to consider is software loss during a data crisis.  When a server crashes, all the data on the machine is lost.  This includes the operating system and software.  Most companies make an investment over time to purchase software.  When a crisis occurs, not only are the files lost but the software is also lost.  So if the server uses a Windows operating system, it is no longer there to run the machine and must be repurchased along with any virtual machines, Active Directory and other software.  Any other software must also be repurchased and reconfigured.  A backup image includes backing up the operating system and software so within just a few hours, the server and the network of computers, switches and printers can be back up and running without an extra cost of a new operating system and software. 

But my cloud software stores my data…

Many businesses have software like QuickBooks, Microsoft 365, EMR and client data software that are run through the cloud.  The files and data are kept in the cloud instead of a on premise server.  Does the business still need backups? Yes!  For security, most computer users log in through Active Directory which is held on a Domain Controller on a server.  Other company shared files may also be held on a server.  All of these including the operating system would need to be reconfigured like it is a new server if the server crashes.  So even though the files could be reloaded from the cloud provider, the software company would not have anything to load it on until the server was configured.  Another reason why backing up data is so important. 

How much does Backup & Recovery cost?

BlueKey IT includes backups in each of its allinclusive agreements.  Additional backup storage can be purchased depending on the company’s needs.  A healthcare provider needs to store seven years of patient data to be HIPAA compliant so depending on the number of patients, the clinic will need more backup data available.  Architectural and engineering firms have very large project files that need to be kept for the length of the project which could be several years in length.  These firms require very large backups.  Accountants may use cloud software for their clients so may need a limited amount of space and time needed for backups.  BlueKey looks at the requirements of each client and tailors the backups storage needed. 

Backup Speeds

Backup speeds depend upon the size of the data, the Internet speed and the location of the backup. Local backups are directly connected to the network so are very quick to transfer data. 

Data backups-How long will it take for company data to upload to the cloud with different Internet speeds? 

Backup & Recovery Speeds

Off-site backup speeds can vary greatly depending on the amount of data and Internet speed.  Some initial backups can take a month to fully back up to the cloud.  This chart gives a good idea about how much time it will take to complete an initial backup. Incremental backups afterwards can finished overnight since it is only updating data from the previous day. 

Backup Security

Business owners need to know that their data is protected both on-site and off-site.  Off-site backups are encrypted using AES-256 which keeps data secure in transit. AES-256 along with physical security both at the data center or at the office are keys to keeping data secure. 

Solution 

The backup and recovery solution is unique to each company.  BlueKey IT works alongside many different types of businesses to create a solution ahead of time to prepare for the worst-case scenario.  Then if the worst happens, TeamBlue can quickly recover data with minimal Return to Operation time. Business owners can feel confident that their network is protected and when a crisis hits and their company can be brought back to normal operation quickly.