8 Reasons to Change Your Backup Solution

When protecting your company’s operations and ensuring you can bounce back from calamities or system failures, nothing is more important than keeping regular data backups. A study from 2022 estimates that the average price of a data breach is $4.35 million. So, a backup plan is necessary to lessen the impact of this possibility. However, not all backup systems are the same, and there are various indicators that it could be time to change your current backup solution. Below are eight reasons to consider changing your backup strategy.

I. Outdated Technology

Recent years have seen significant advancements in backup technology, with newer solutions boasting superior speeds, dependability, and safety. Too many businesses still need to rely on antiquated backup systems, which endangers their data. Tape backups, formerly a standard data protection method, have fallen out of favor because of their low read/write rates, low storage capacities, and high susceptibility to breakage and theft.

Old backup programs may not work with modern computers or operating systems. They may contain security flaws that put your data at risk. It’s time to think about switching to a more recent backup system, which will increase performance and security if you still use an older one.

II. Insufficient Storage Capacity

A backup system that can keep up with the ever-increasing volume of data created by enterprises is necessary for modern businesses. More storage space can soon become a serious issue when relying on physical backups that must be manually maintained. You risk losing data if you have to erase old backups to make place for fresh ones because you ran out of storage space.

The market is flooded with backup options, making zeroing down on the best one difficult. Your company’s needs and demands must be considered before settling on a backup solution. Because of their almost infinite storage space and ability to expand as your data grows automatically, cloud-based backup solutions are great for enterprises needing scalable storage choices.

III. Lack of Automation

Manual backup procedures often take longer than necessary and cause more problems. Furthermore, a human mistake is possible in manual processes, which might result in corrupted backups. There is less chance of data loss and less downtime with backup systems that include automation functions. For instance, with tape backups, you’d need to swap them out, label them, and ship them off-site occasionally.

This method is not only labour-intensive but also error-prone. Incorrectly inserting the tape, losing the tape, or damaging the tape in transit might all cause the backup to fail. However, manual intervention is no longer needed thanks to the automation features built into modern backup solutions. In the case of cloud-based backup solutions, for instance, data is backed up automatically at specific intervals without any user intervention. Some systems also include automated functions to check backups regularly for consistency and notify administrators of any problems.

IV. Inadequate Security

When it comes to data, backups are just as crucial as the originals. You must take proper precautions to protect your backups to avoid losing data, having it stolen, or making it public. As a result, pick a backup system with lots of security features. Some backup solutions, for instance, use standard methods like AES-256 to encrypt data at rest and in motion. Even if your backups are intercepted or stolen, they will remain safe from prying eyes. In addition, some options have multi-factor authentication (MFA) to safeguard your backup files from prying eyes.

Multiple-factor authentication (MFA) makes it more difficult for hackers to access your backup system by requiring users to give two or more forms of identity before gaining access to critical data. In addition, you can limit who can view your backups based on their responsibilities and permissions by using a feature called role-based access control (RBAC), which is available with some backup solutions. With RBAC, you can ensure that only authorized personnel can access your backups, reducing the risk of data breaches.

V. Poor Recovery Time

How quickly you can get back up and running after a data loss incident will determine how much of an impact this has on your business and customers. The longer it takes to get back up and running, the more money you stand to lose, not to mention the trust and loyalty of your customers. Take the case of a company whose revenue model is predicated on online sales. In the event of a server failure or data loss, you must be ready to restore the site for the sake of your consumers quickly. If it takes too long for your backup solution to restore your data, your website could be down for an extended period, costing you money and frustrating your consumers.

That’s why picking a backup solution with a quick restore time is crucial. You can get your data back and return to work quickly with the help of several technologies that provide immediate recovery. Some even include granular recovery, which lets you restore individual files or programs rather than a full backup, shortening the time it takes to get back up and running.

VI. Lack of Scalability

Your data needs will expand in tandem with the success of your organisation. Therefore, pick a backup system that can grow with your company. Data loss and system downtime can occur if your backup solution can’t meet your expanding needs. For instance, data loss and insufficient security can result from having to routinely erase old backups to create a way for new ones if your backup solution has limited storage capacity.

There’s also the possibility of lengthier backup windows and slowed system performance if your backup solution cannot keep up with your data expansion. That’s why settling on a backup solution that can scale up as your company does is crucial. Some options provide storage that can be expanded as your data needs change. Others provide data compression and deduplication to reduce backup storage needs without compromising security.

VII. Limited Support

Since problems with backup systems may emerge anytime, it’s crucial to have access to prompt and dependable support. If you need more help, fixing issues could take a long time, and you could lose vital information. Backup systems may offer restricted support alternatives, such as a lack of staff or inconvenient service hours. This might be a serious issue if your company needs to back up much data outside regular work hours.

To swiftly fix problems and reduce downtime, it’s best to use a backup system with extensive support features. Look for a service that has a dedicated support staff available at all hours (by phone, email, and live chat) and can help you rapidly fix any problems that may arise. Consider the provider’s history of dealing with support difficulties and how quickly and effectively they’ve solved them.

VIII. High Costs

Lastly, protecting data often means investing in pricey backup solutions. However, choosing a backup solution focused on price alone can result in less-than-ideal backup procedures and a higher likelihood of data loss. For instance, you choose a backup service because it’s much less expensive than the alternatives. Still, it lacks features like encryption and automation. Even if you save money in the short term, losing data or having backups fail could cost you significantly more. Therefore, finding a backup, affordable and effective solution is critical. The cost should not be the main deciding factor. Determine what features you’ll need in a backup solution to keep your data safe and reduce the likelihood of loss.

To Sum Up

If your company has valuable data, you need a trustworthy backup solution. Sometimes, you may need to switch out your present backup system. Reasons to look for a new backup solution include outdated technology, insufficient storage space, lack of automation, inadequate security, poor recovery time, lack of scalability, limited support, and exorbitant expenses. Finding a backup solution that is both comprehensive and affordable is a top priority. Be sure to factor in the ongoing costs of backup systems, such as maintenance, support, and upgrades, while making your decision.

Therefor, if you are interested in testing Storware Backup and Recovery in your company – get the free Trial or contact us if you need a one-on-one demo.

In the end, it’s all about striking a balance between features, price, and usability when selecting a backup solution. You can safeguard your data and keep your company running smoothly despite the possibilities of disruptions with the help of a reliable backup system.