There’s no denying that data backup is a crucial undertaking for any business, especially as data breaches can be devastating. However, it can be a headache because of the costs associated with it. From small businesses to large enterprises, everyone would like to have less expensive data backup solutions. In this piece, you’ll find tips on how you can keep your most essential data safely backed up without having to spend too much.
- Determine your storage needs before anything else
While you might like unlimited free storage forever, you’re not going to get that, so you’ll need to know exactly what you need storage space for and how you’re going to be using it. Will you need a backup solution to store date for extended periods of time or for only short periods of time before the data is no longer useful? Think of capacity, as well as physical locations and then consider what storage options would be a good fit.
- Don’t go overboard with capacity
Knowing your storage needs both now and in the long-run can help save you a great deal of money. There’s no point investing in a storage option that you’ll never quite need. For instance, if you’re a mobile professional who doesn’t perpetually need access to large files, flash drives or external hard drive could be your go-to, so you wouldn’t need to spend too much on a cloud backup solution.
- Take advantage of free storage
From Google Drive to Dropbox and more, there are several free online backup solutions you can use alongside other backup options. Also, where certain data are already saved in the cloud, for instance emails with Gmail, there may be no need to have them backed up again to several other locations.
- Spend more now to save more later
Some people and even some businesses may be fine with flash drives, but if your business processes large amounts of data, you shouldn’t start with a seemingly cheaper backup solution. If you do this, you may realise later that you’ll still have to invest in a larger capacity storage option, which you could have done in the first place. Again, this goes back to understanding your storage needs.
- Go for cloud storage if you can
It can be tough to determine whether you should go for a larger or smaller capacity storage, especially when you can’t say how quickly your business will scale. Cloud backup solutions take the guesswork out of cloud storage by allowing you to scale up as your business grows. That way, you’ll know you’re not wasting a single penny on storage space you don’t need.
- Invest in disaster protected storage
If your business environment is particularly prone to disaster, it could save you money in the long run to invest in disaster protected storage in the form of NAS or DAS. Some appliances are able to withstand days of total immersion in water for days.
