It is crucial to have a backup service in place. This is an undeniable fact for any company. Whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made tragedy, the potential for data destruction is very real. Lost data for a company can lead to a significant decrease in work production, damage to a company’s image or in the worse case scenarios: the closing of an organization.
“Natural disaster or man-made tragedy, the potential for data destruction is very real.”
With such high stakes, all companies are in need of a data backup service provider. But choosing the right provider can be a difficult decision to make, especially for businesses with a shaky grasp of technology.
There are handful of key questions to ask potential providers before you commit to a service company. Here are the top five questions every business should consider before choosing the right data backup service provider for their needs.
- How quickly can I recover my data in emergencies?: This is, essentially, the main reason behind investing in a cloud backup service provider. As a business, you want to be able to recover your data quickly and efficiently in the event of a disaster. This is crucial to your company being able to get back to work as usual. Businesses should request extensive details about the speed and level of data recovery after or during an emergency. The level of data that can be recovered in these scenarios can vary by provider, so make sure you secure a company that can have your company up and running again in a timely manner.
- What are your scalability capabilities?: Successful companies are almost always in a state of expansion. Some providers may be better suited for fluctuating data sizes, according to Business News Daily. If you are company in the stages of massive growth, secure a service provider that is equipped to handle expansion at a reasonable price. When hiring an online backup service provider, it is important to look to the future and plan for the potential growth in data.
- What security measures do you have in place?: With data breaches and cyber threats topping headlines in 2015, companies are rightfully worried about their data security. As such, the safety measures that a provider can offer your company are a key selling point. As a business, you should inquire about what systems each provider has in place to assure your data is secure at all times. Different providers offer varying levels of protection. Some companies charge extra for increased security measures, determine internally how much protection you are willing to invest in.
“It is important to examine how each provider structures its pricing system.”
How does your pricing structure work?: Speaking of investments, it is important to examine how each provider structures its pricing system. Some companies will offer a monthly payment charge where others will charge the company yearly, explained Business News Daily. The backup and disaster recovery payment plans can also vary based on amount of storage and the unique features offered by the provider. Some leading cloud service companies offer tiered security, allowing businesses to protect high-level data more aggressively (for a higher price) than low-level data. Other providers offer one flat rate for all data to be secured equally. Company leaders should consult their budgets and then determine the most reasonable data protection fee.
- How often does your system backup data?: This is a very important question to ask any potential providers. Backup practices vary from company to company, with backup frequencies ranging from once a day to one a month. Some companies allow businesses to create their own backup schedule based on their individual needs. Regardless of what system works for you, make sure you are aware of how often your provider plans on backing up company data.
