Andy Brewerton, country manager for EVault, discusses ways small businesses can safeguard their company data. 

Andy Brewerton, country manager for EVault, discusses ways small businesses can safeguard their company data. 

In the wake of the Olympics, and what seems like a constant stream of logistical debacles in the run-up, there has been much talk of business continuity – or, rather, of the many threats to business continuity.

London-based companies are advised to promote flexible working and to prepare for interruptions in order to minimise potential damage to the bottom line. But the threat to business continuity is not a one-off, nor is it limited to London postcodes.

There are countless factors that can potentially disturb the smooth running of a business, and none is more prevalent today than data loss. With data losses costing companies 3.5 per cent of turnover on average, failing to protect your data can be an expensive oversight. So how can businesses address this issue? The answer is undoubtedly data backup, but there are many businesses who have not yet taken sufficient steps to safeguard their company data.

This is a pressing concern for companies of all sizes, as even the smallest are now handling increasingly large amounts of data. This data explosion calls for a solution that, first and foremost, safely backs up company data; but there are many other points that a business must consider before choosing which vendor to partner with.

Reliability



This may seem obvious, but businesses must investigate a potential vendor's track record of reliability in the backup services they offer. Not all data backup solutions providers are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can prove disastrous for your data. Get references from other clients and take the time to check them out in detail.

Security

Some backup solutions do not encrypt data during both its transmission and storage, leaving a 'back door' through which unencrypted information is accessible. There are solutions that allow, for instance, the simultaneous encryption and deduplication of data (avoiding wasteful repeated backups of the same data), providing both security and faster performance – these solutions should be prioritised. Encryption can cause tape-based backups to run slowly, so disk-to-disk solutions are favourable in this respect.

Accessibility

If problems do arise, it is important that backed up data can be accessed easily, with minimal delay. Businesses should establish with their vendor which combination of onsite and offsite replication is best for their data needs, and choose the solution that allows them to be nimble and confident when reacting to any data disasters.

Compliance



Businesses must adhere to industry standards in privacy, security and data retention; it is therefore essential that they choose backup vendors that can prove compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements. Check that the vendor is ISO-certified.

Disaster recovery

No data backup service can be said to be complete without a disaster recovery plan. Good vendors will also offer training to ensure employees know exactly how to respond to a data loss in a way that keeps downtime to a minimum.

Operating systems and platform support

Data should be securely backed up no matter where it is, whether on servers, desktops, laptops or any other mobile devices. The rise of Bring Your Own Device, and the increase in remote working (especially during the Olympics) makes this a crucial factor in any backup plan.

Scalability

As a business continues to grow, it will have to handle more data on more devices. Its backup solution must be one that can grow with the business and allow for expansion and add-ons to satisfy the evolving data needs.

Cost-efficiency

Ultimately, these measures are put in place to maintain continuity so that companies can get on with the business of making a profit. Cost, therefore, is a primary concern. Luckily, there are solutions for all budgets and even SMEs can enjoy a number of choices. Data is the lifeblood of many businesses and, for some, the Olympics has been a wake-up call, showing just how vulnerable it can be. The truth is that the same threats to business continuity exist at all times. However, perhaps the Olympics provides the perfect opportunity for businesses to address their data back-up needs.

See also: Data recovery eased by continuity plans