Cloud backup is one type of online backup, a way by which a particular data can be stored or backed up to a proprietary server or a network issued publically to a server that was placed off-site. The host of the server isn't the organization itself, it is the third-party service provider which will charge some ransom amount from its customer and the fees charged for using cloud backup depends on the amount of storage of data, bandwidth or the number of users using the service.
In the company, the off-site server can be owned by the enterprise but the accounting strategy which involves the cost of its IT services, software, and hardware (chargeback) would be the same.
Implementation of Cloud backup is very useful, and it can help to make an organization stronger, as it improves the protection of data as a result of which the workload on the organization's IT staff is reduced.
Working of Cloud Backup
So, this is a process where the data gets copied and stored in a different media or some other storage system to make the access to the data easier. This is done to recover the data when there is a loss of data and this process of data recovery gets easier with the help of Cloud backup. This service of backing up of data is used by many organizations and the backup process caters to their needs effectively. Few options of the services include:
The Data is Directly Backed Up To Public Cloud - In this method writing data is directly entailed to the infrastructure providers of the cloud.
The Data is Backed Up To the Service Provider - The data is directly entailed to service providers of cloud back up.
Cloud-To-Cloud Backup - The data gets stored in the form of a service application (SaaS) in cloud storage; this practice duplicates the data from one cloud to another.
When the organization starts using the cloud backup service, the inceptive backup can take a long time, few days to a week, to complete the process of uploading over the network, as there would be a large amount of data to be transferred.
This technique is known as cloud seeding which entitles a vendor for backup service by sending it to a device for storage like tape cartridge and disk drive to the enterprise. This device backs up the data locally and the device is sent back to the service provider. Thus, after inceptive seeding, only the data changes are only recorded.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Backup
The Benefits the Enterprise Gets From the Backup:
There is a downfall in costs if the amount of data is less. Most of the cloud providers, like Mozy, provide free back up services, but the offer is applicable only up to a particular limit.
Another feature of Cloud is that it is scalable. All the growing data gets stored in the cloud without any difficulty. The organization should be cautious about the increasing costs as the volume of data grows.
The management of cloud backup is very easy, as most of the things are taken care of, by the service providers. The enterprises are relieved of all the important and difficult tasks.
The Downfalls and Problems the Enterprise has to Face:
The most common problem faced is with the backup speed. The speed depends upon the latency and the connection. When the internet is used by the whole organization, the backup could be slow.
Lastly, the costs are escalated as the volume of data increases which creates a problematic situation.
Hope you like the above-mentioned techniques and understand all the things about Cloud backup.
Guest Author
Alyssa Moylan is an ordinary woman from Australia, a writer by day and a reader by night. She writes on various topics like business, start-ups, technology and lifestyle. Follow her on Google+ and Twitter