Migrating data to the cloud unlocks many benefits for businesses, such as improved accessibility, scalable storage, offsite backup, and security. However, these benefits are accompanied by risks of cyberattacks from malicious actors.
Over the years, we've seen many examples of organizations falling victim to cybercrime. From Uber to Adobe to Yahoo to Marriott Hotels, no one is immune to the potential risks. The most recent high-profile cyber attacks, such as the Microsoft Exchange Server hack in 2021, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in May 2021, and Crypto.com's massive data breach in 2022, have highlighted the need for organizations to take data security seriously.
Successful cyberattacks can lead to data loss, destruction, or unauthorized access. As a result, a business may end up with a bad reputation, financial losses, and even legal actions. In a worst-case scenario, this could result in the complete shutdown of an organization's operations.
To prevent this from happening, businesses need to invest in cloud-based software for data backup and disaster recovery. This article will discuss how cloud-based software can help to secure a business's data and mitigate the risks of cyber attacks.
What is Cloud-Based Software?
Cloud-based software allows users to store and access data over the Internet rather than on their premises. This helps to reduce the organization's capital outlay and the need for on-site storage. Cloud-based software offers scalability, as businesses can easily add or reduce storage capacity on demand. It also provides access to data from multiple devices, as long as there's an internet connection.
In contrast, traditional software backup and recovery involve hardware, complex infrastructure, and manual processes. This method is time-consuming and labor-intensive, often leading to large capital expenses for hardware purchases or maintenance. Traditional backup can seem cost-effective but doesn't often ensure a long-term return on investment, given the high cost of ongoing maintenance and hardware upgrades.
When time is of the essence, cloud-based software can quickly restore operations and ensure business continuity. It is a cost-effective solution for businesses of any size, as well as for organizations that need to comply with stringent data protection regulations, such as the GDPR.
How Cloud-Based Software Helps Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
Cloud-based software can help your small business secure data and protect against cyber-attacks by providing several key benefits.
Real-Time Backup & Recovery
Like most businesses, you probably back up your data regularly. You ensure that your backup equipment and configurations are up-to-date, test your restores, and ensure everything is working as it should. However, data backup is only half of the process. You must also move your data to an offsite location just in case the worst happens.
But moving data can be time-consuming and can even leave your data vulnerable to loss. Cloud-based software eliminates this problem by providing real-time backup and recovery capabilities. With a cloud system, your backup is saved off-premise in minutes. You can also recover the data soon after a disaster.
Automatic Backup and Recovery
Another advantage of cloud-based systems is that they automate the backup and recovery process. This eliminates manual processes such as scheduling backups, locating tapes, and validating restores. With cloud-based software, you can set up an automated system to perform regular backups and store them in a secure, offsite location.
This means that your data will always be up-to-date, and you can quickly recover in a disaster. It also means that your human resources can focus on other important tasks instead of worrying about backups.
Lower the Risk and Cost of Downtime
Data loss or downtime can be extremely costly, especially if not handled quickly and efficiently. But with the complex process that goes into protecting data, many businesses lose time and resources trying to:
- Backup copies of critical data to another device
- Move the backup to an offsite location for added security
- Find storage that protects and organizes the data for easy and quick recovery
- Recover saved backup when the need arises
Cloud-based systems eliminate all of these steps. By automating the process, businesses can save time and resources while reducing the risk of data loss or downtime. In case of a disaster, disruption, or attack, the continuous and comprehensive backup ensures you can recover data from moments before the interruption instead of the previous day or week.
Leverage the Expertise and Resources of the Service Provider
Most providers offer reliable and secure backup solutions as part of their services. This means you don't have to worry about managing, monitoring, or securing the backup process and storage. All you need to do is configure the system and let them take care of the rest.
Taking advantage of your provider's expertise and resources to protect and enjoy uninterrupted data access gives you a competitive edge. Plus, you won't have to worry about the latest technology, scalability, and infrastructure, as your provider will manage all of these for you.
Predictable Costs and Simpler Budgeting
Software as Service solutions like cloud storage and backup services often work on a subscription model, meaning you pay only for what you use. This makes it easier to budget and forecast costs since they are predictable. This means you won't need to worry about costs spiraling out of control due to hardware maintenance, licenses, and other associated costs.
Store Data Safely
Part of business management is ensuring your sensitive data, including intellectual property, employee records, and customer data, does not end up in the wrong hands. But unless you encrypt the data for safety, you open yourself up to hackers, human error, and competitors. Cloud-based systems ensure your data is always encrypted and stored in secure locations. This eliminates the risk of data theft, and you don't have to worry about unauthorized access.
Secure File Sharing & Collaboration
Cloud-based systems also help foster collaboration. You can set up secure file sharing and enable team members to access and share the same files in real time. This makes it easier to work on projects together and ensures everyone is always working on the same version of a file.
You can also ensure that access to shared files is restricted to specific team members. This reinforces your security measures and keeps sensitive data safe.
Software as a Service
Cloud computing has become an essential part of any business's IT infrastructure. By leveraging the power of cloud-based storage and backup, businesses can reduce the risk of data loss or downtime and eliminate hardware maintenance and budget costs more predictably. Cloud-based systems are also crucial for those with business continuity plans as they ensure scalability.
If you are looking for a reliable and secure cloud-based system, My Choice Software has got you covered. We offer a range of cloud computing solutions tailored to suit your business needs.
