What Are Local Backups and Why Are They Important?

Cloud, External Hard Drive, Flash Drive, Local Backups, Security, , ,
21
Nov 2017

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Local backups are one of the most popular forms of backing up data, so it’s a method that organizations should seriously consider for storing their data.

While cloud backups are grabbing all the headlines, they’re not necessarily the definitive answer to everyone’s backup needs. What’s more, local backup can easily run alongside cloud backup systems, so they’re not an option which should be dismissed.

As backup is such a critical business need in an era of huge data growth and ransomware threats, we’re going to take a look at what local backups are and what they can do for your business.

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What is Local Backup?

As the name suggests, local backup is any type of physical storage medium which is kept locally and can be quickly connected to a PC/network which requires a backup to be saved or restored. The most popular forms of local backup are:

  • External Hard Drives – These devices are now capable of holding huge amounts of data with 16TB (that’s 16,000GB) external hard drives available. Usually connected through USB ports, these hard drives provide a swift transfer of data and this is even quicker when USB 3.0 capabilities are present.
  • CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays – Optical drives may sound fairly limited in their storage capacities (a single layer Blu-Ray holds 50GB and a CD only 750MB), but they’re still highly popular for quick data storage that can be kept close at hand on a spindle.
  • Solid State Drives – USB and flash drives, again, are highly quick and simple methods for storing critical data which can be kept locally. The beauty of this small, but important method of backup is that implementing the backup data is easily achieved by simply plugging the medium into the PC.

What Can Local Backup Do for You?

Local backup solutions come with a number of benefits which mean they’re perfect for organizations and these can include:

  • Enhanced Security – External hard drives, optical drives and solid state drives are all protected by online threats such as hacking as they’re standalone pieces of kit. Once they’re disconnected from a PC or network there’s no way of them being hacked, so they represent a highly secure storage medium for your data.
  • You Have Full Control – One of the main drawbacks of cloud backups is that they tend to be operated by a third party contractor, so you never truly have full control and responsibility for your data. With local backup methods, however, your data is always safely under your own watch and does not leave your premises.
  • Quicker Transfer – Local backups have a much simpler structure than complex cloud backup systems, so your data can be transferred at a much quicker rate when necessary. This reduces downtime for your PC and network whilst also significantly reduces the time taken to monitor the backup process.

As a result, local backups represent a secure method of storing data with a number of benefits that cloud backups are unable to offer. However, many organizations are now embracing hybrid systems which utilize local and cloud backups to enhance the ability to retrieve data when it’s needed most.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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These are the different levels of backup for your computer or server.
These are the different levels of backup for your computer or server.

Which Backup Software You Should Be Using

Office IT, Office Network, ,
17
Sep 2014

These are the different levels of backup for your computer or server.

Backups are critical for every home or office computer.  Whether you have servers, PCs or just one laptop, here’s how to pick the right backup software.

If you’ve never experienced losing a picture, document or important client file up to now, consider yourself lucky.  Data loss on computers happen for many reasons.  The hard drive or operating system could crash, the laptop or computer may be stolen or it may just be an accidental deletion or move.  The bottom line is these things are an inevitable part of technology and the better prepared you are with a backup the less down time you will experience.

Let’s review the types of backups and how you can determine which is right for your home or office IT environment.

1. Local file backups

Local backups keep everything onsite

Local backups capture only user files. Programs, software and the Operating System are not backed up.

Local file backups means copying files from your computer to either an external hard drive, or to a computer on your network.  The backups are essentially local to your office or home.

When you should use local backups

Every scenario can benefit from local file backups.  Since the backup is local and nearby, recovering files and information is quick and easy.  Setting up local backups is also very inexpensive as most software that does local backup is free.  It is recommended to have local backups when you don’t have cloud based backups. Prices range from $0 to $50.

Local backup options

2. Cloud backups

Cloud backups capture user files and store them on another company's computer over the internet

Cloud backups only backup files. Programs, software and the Operating System are not backed up.

Cloud based backups keep your data and files backed up on another company’s servers over the internet.  Most major cloud backup providers provide encryption and 2-factor authentication for added security.  With the increase in competition, prices for cloud backup have also dropped dramatically and in some cases can be free. Prices range from $4-$30/month

When you should use cloud backups

If you have a laptop and are constantly moving between different locations, a cloud based backup would be the best choice.  As long as you have an internet connection, your data is being backed up.

Cloud backup options

3. Image backups

Image based backups capture everything on the system.

Image based backups capture files, data as well as programs, software and the Operating System.

Image based backup programs take a snapshot of your entire computer.  The main benefit is if you have catastrophic data loss like theft or a fire in the building, the backup image can be loaded on to another computer and you can continue working without having to wait for a new computer with all of your programs.  Prices range from $250-$4000.

When you should use image backups

It’s best to use image based backups on mission critical computers such as a server that holds all of your client data, or a laptop that has very important files on it.  Image based backup software tends to be more expensive, however the price is worth the avoided business downtime.

Image backup options

So which is the right choice?

At a minimum every individual or business should be running a local or cloud based backup.  The low cost and portability of cloud based backups makes it the obvious choice at a minimum.  However if you have a server in your home or office, it’s important to consider image based backups as a safety net against business downtime.

For more backup solutions or advice on how to protect your business, contact your local IT professionals.

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