Given the ever- widening amount of data that gets generated today, people can no longer avoid resorting to duplicate data. Optimizing backup process has become a vital part of homes and businesses, alike. The modern age has witnessed the emergence of new methods in backup practices. Modern document management allows quick retrieval and streamlined technique of organizing files. Apart from the usual hard drive backups, one can also have an access to storage options via the World Wide Web.

The incidences of data loss and corruption have increasingly come into play, therefore, mismanagement or lack of data security can indicate neglect on the part of a business or an organizations. The popularity of advanced backup solutions has arisen amongst the enterprises, since it is a wise step to generate backups in a timely manner.

Saving Documents on a Local Server or Cloud Server that is Being Backed Up

Local storage means the files, documents, presentations or drawings are stored in one’s own device like laptop, tablet or smartphone.

The Cloud Storage option is an online storage store which can be accessed in multiple ways – via a browser, mobile device, laptop, NAS device, or local virtual server.

Local Storage V/S Cloud Storage:

• Unlike local storage, cloud storage is not susceptible to hardware problems, accidents, moist, virus infections, unauthorized users, or catastrophic damages.
• Moreover, saving data on hard disk is a cumbersome and time-consuming task, which is not in the case of cloud storage.
• Contrasting to local storage, the probability of back up is more in cloud storage, wherein you get a chance to restore your data unlimited times with complete freedom.
• A great deal of time needs to be put in regularly updating the hard drives to get back up, whereas, with cloud storage, a simple installation of application on computer can help you retrieve your data in no time.
• Unlike local storage, cloud storage automatically takes backups and syncs data to your computer without any manual intervention.
• If ever your computer happens to crash, you get an option of restoring on the cloud server to your new computer or mobile phone.
• With cloud storing option, you not only you have round-the-clock access to your data, but you can also share it with a group of people by sending them its link (URL).

What Questions You Should Ask The Cloud Hosting Provider To Ensure That Data Is Being Backed Up?

1. Which cloud services does it provides? – Does it only provide simple storage for online document, photo and videos like Dropbox, does it only caters to online accounting like Intuit, or offers only CRM like Salesforce.
2. What is the price? While there are cloud storage solutions like GoogleDocs or SkyDrive that offers free services, there are others which will charge according to your needs.
3. How secure is the cloud service? Does the company meet all security standards? Who will have access to your data in the cloud company? Do they have regular security measures like anti-virus detection, firewalls, data encryption, multifactor user authentication and routine security audits?
4.  Where is the data center? Is your clouding company managed by a couple in a small room or by a huge data center? What do they do when confronted with unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters or accidents? What facilities do they have against thefts?
5. What happens if they lose your data? Will the cloud provider compensate you for losses? What data redundancies does it have in place to diminish the risks of data loss?

The most important question is how do you retrieve files when you need them, do you need to pay to have them restored, is it simple for you to retrieve them yourself etc.