Cloud-based Backup vs Physical On-site Backup: Which one to choose?

Cloud-based Backup vs Physical On-site Backup

Backing up the business-critical data is one of the most essential steps towards enterprise security. Data loss can happen through various means, be it a hardware failure, user error, security breach, and vulnerabilities. The modern marketplace relies hugely upon the network systems. Right from storing information to guarding proprietary, the security of the enterprise data yields smooth business functioning. If that data is lost for any reason, it leaves the concerned organization in total financial loss. Therefore, it becomes very important for all the businesses to have recovery measures in place, and to have a continuous check on the data backups to be stored at the desired location.

Importance of Data Backup for Business

Although, backing up the critical data is not that simple as it seems as there exist some of the challenges followed by major decisions to make at the outset. Deciding upon the types of data backup – cloud-based backup and physical on-site backup is the most important factor that is going to affect the rest of the security practices of the entire IT infrastructure. Having their own sets of advantages and disadvantages, these data backup techniques are chosen based upon the type and requirements of the businesses.

Let us understand the basic difference among the cloud-based and physical on-site backup methods.

Cloud-based Backup vs Physical On-site Backup

Cloud-based Backup: What it offers?

Sometimes referred to as the remote backup or online backup, cloud-based backup is simply the process of storing a redundant copy of all the important data on the Internet-based cloud server. The cloud-based backup solutions models are becoming popular among the smaller business as they move their critical applications to the cloud for their networking needs. These cloud backup are usually user-friendly solutions that can be designed and crafted as per the user requirement.

There are certain definite advantages of a cloud-based backup system. All of the operational data is stored by default on the off-site location and is assured to be easily retrievable if and when required or the urgency draws. Cloud-based recovery systems are usually fully automated with minimal user error and easy navigation file structures. Cloud-based data backup also offers unlimited storage space on a pay-per basis.

Having discussed its advantages, cloud-based backups also has some limitations, as well. First of all, it comes with a lot of security risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, strong enough to compromise the overall integrity of an organization. User can never have full control over their data, which makes it more vulnerable towards security attacks. Storing huge amount of data over the cloud makes the recovery process excruciatingly slow.

Also read – Boost Your IT Operations with the Correct Levels of Data Backup and Recovery

Also to access the data, the speed of the Internet connection is the biggest factor. Whereas, some service provider puts a cap over the data storage as per their service contracts. Users must analyze the risk of cloud migration before considering cloud-based backup.

Physical Data Backup: What it offers?

In contrary to cloud-based backup, a physical data backup model allows the user to copy the important data and applications to a local disk, such as a NAS or SAN. Physical on-site data backup leverages users with more control than a cloud-based backup, which helps in greater management and recovery. The time invested to recover the data in the physical on-site backup is quite speedy and the process is much easier when compared to the cloud-based model. As the user controls the data storage, archiving data for month and years becomes easier and can be organized based on certain priorities.

User needs to spend more on physical data storage to scale the resources. Users are responsible for all the hardware costs, physical media upgrades which need to be logged and checked at regular intervals. In terms of security, physical on-site backup is at a higher end of the risk parameter. Hard copies can be corrupted, mishandled or can be used incorrectly, which can become irretrievable. Users are suggested to have an IT consultant on hand to ensure correct process handling.

Also read – 6 Top Security Risks of not having Cloud Backup Solutions

Final Words:

Data backup is not just good practice, but a necessity. It can save a business from various risks. Having a detail recovery plan in place can help your business innovate and grow.

However, deciding to either opt a cloud-based backup model or physical on-site data backup model is totally up to the requirement of the organization.

To help you choose the best fit for your enterprise, the certified cloud professional of i2k2 Networks assist you to extend their comprehensive services. By following the step-by-step procedure of complete consultation, designing, deployment and support, the engineers help various organizations to perform better.

Call us at +91-120-466-3031 | +91-971-177-4040 to know more about our disaster and backup services. You can even drop a mail to sales@i2k2.com.