Although data security is more important than ever, many businesses still don’t have a comprehensive strategy for data backup and recovery. This can be a big and costly mistake.
A data breach or accidental loss of important files can have catastrophic consequences. As such, the necessity of investing in online backup and understanding the benefits of doing it on time should be made abundantly clear to everyone, whether you’re a business owner looking to shore up your cybersecurity or a managed service provider (MSP) delivering security solutions for clients.
Online backup is a necessity for modern organizations
There are several reasons why online backup is critical for businesses today, including but not limited to natural disasters, cyberattacks, human error, vulnerabilities created by remote work and compliance requirements.
Natural disasters
Severe fires, floods and earthquakes simply aren’t predictable, and their impact on businesses can be devastating. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, about 25% of businesses close after a disaster event. By using online backup, companies can ensure that their data is stored off-site, safe from physical harm.
Security incidents
Cybercrime is on the rise, and no business is immune to the threat of a data breach. A recent study by IBM found that the average cost of a data breach is $4.35 million. Online backup can provide an added layer of protection by encrypting your data and storing it in secure datacenters.
Human error
Even the most careful employees can make mistakes. Accidental data loss and deletion can be costly in terms of time and resources. With online backup, businesses can quickly restore lost data and minimize the impact of any unintentional data loss.
Remote and hybrid work
With the shift to remote and hybrid workforces, businesses must ensure that employees can access important files from anywhere while protecting company data. Online backup can help enterprises to achieve both of these goals.
Compliance requirements
Businesses today must adhere to an increasing number of specific regulatory requirements for data security and protection. Online backup can help ensure that your organization is compliant and avoids any legal hot water.
Some noteworthy benefits of online backup for businesses
In addition to the reasons why businesses should use online backup, there are several benefits for customers other than ensuring important data is kept safe and recoverable.
Automation
With online backup, backups can be initiated automatically and seamlessly, ensuring that your data is safe regardless of much effort on your end. This can save time and resources that can be better allocated to other important business tasks.
Security
Customer data is stored safely and securely in the cloud, where it can be accessed as needed. This added layer of security can provide peace of mind and help build customer trust.
Accessibility
Employees can access files from wherever they are, increasing productivity and opportunities for collaboration. This can be especially important for remote and hybrid workforces.
Storage capacity
Even if you’re backing up massive workloads, the cloud can handle them without slowing down your operations or productivity. This can help businesses scale their operations as needed without worrying about storage limitations.
Backup solutions to support MSP offerings and suit client needs
Backup solutions come in all shapes and sizes, but some are better suited for MSPs who need to provide backup and recovery services to clients. Here are three backup solutions that can support MSP offerings and suit different client needs.
Microsoft 365 Backup powered by Veeam
This solution is designed specifically for businesses that use Microsoft 365, providing backup and recovery for emails, calendars, contacts, tasks, OneDrive, SharePoint and more. MSPs can leverage Veeam’s powerful technology to provide their clients with a reliable backup solution that ensures business continuity in case of data loss or corruption.
Acronis Online Backup
Acronis is a comprehensive backup solution that protects all data types, including files, applications, systems and virtual machines. With Acronis, MSPs can offer their clients flexible backup options, including on-premises, hybrid and cloud-based solutions. The solution is easy to manage, with a centralized web-based console that allows MSPs to monitor backups and perform recoveries from anywhere.
Dropsuite
Dropsuite is a cloud-based backup and archiving solution that provides automated backup and recovery for email, website and server data. MSPs can leverage Dropsuite to provide clients with a reliable backup solution that ensures quick and easy retrieval of critical data in case of data loss or corruption. Dropsuite is compatible with many platforms, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and cPanel.
Some best practices for online backup
Implementing online backup is vital to protect your business data, but it’s not enough to set it up and forget about it. Following recognized best practices helps to ensure that your backups are reliable, secure and easy to restore.
Define your backup strategy
Before setting up a backup solution for yourself or for clients, decide what data you need to protect and how often you need to back it up. Create a backup schedule that suits your business needs and ensures all critical data is covered.
Test your backups regularly
The only way to ensure that your backups are adequately secured and can be quickly restored is to test them regularly. This can involve restoring a sample file or folder from your backup and verifying that it works as expected.
Use encryption and multi-factor authentication
To protect your data from unauthorized access, use strong encryption and multi-factor authentication to secure your backup solution. This will help to prevent data breaches and ensure that only authorized users can access your backups.
Choose a reliable and secure solution
When selecting an online backup solution, choose a tool with robust security features such as data encryption, password protection and secure datacenters. Additionally, look for a provider with a proven track record of reliability and uptime to ensure that your data is always available when you need it.
Safeguard data and deliver secure cloud backup with an expert partner
Given the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions, online backup is an excellent opportunity for MSPs to increase recurring revenue and stickiness with clients. Sherweb can help! Our expertise and cloud solutions marketplace help MSPs of all sizes grow their business and deliver value for clients. Reach out to us to start a conversation about online backup, or join our partner program today to get started.
