A computer literate colleague used an external hard disk to back up his important data. The process seems simple enough - copy critical files and folders to the drive using a program or drag n' drop. He had performed this function many times and so was proficient at doing so.

...a number of months later this colleague decides to access some of the backed up folders for reference and discovers his external hard disk is blank. No files or folders whatsoever.

So what went wrong? Was the backup not successful in the first place? Or was the initial backup fine but the data had since been erased somehow? My colleague wasn't sure but the end result was the same regardless - lost data.

This colleague is now using our automatic online data backup service for secure backups he can trust. What's more, we monitor the backups as an added extra to ensure all is well .....which means he has increased peace of mind.

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The owner of a small but successful garage had already experienced data loss after an IT "expert" deleted his hard disk for him. Thereafter the owner vowed to always make a backup himself given the pain he went through (the MOT renewals and client details form part of the critical and invaluable data he lost).

However, the new backup method involved using a USB stick rather than a robust backup strategy. Apart from committing such an important task to such a small device which can easily be lost, damaged or stolen, the owner wasn't regularly checking files had been successfully backed up....another mundane (yet crucial) task that many companies miss.

The latter point became apparent when one of our engineers visited the garage and asked to see the type of files being backed up - upon loading the USB stick it was totally empty! After a short silence of shock (which seemed to last forever) our professional online backup service was installed where it has been working ever since protected inside IBM data centres.

Data loss was avoided in this instance albeit against risks that shouldn't have been taken.

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The first in our series of true stories picked from over the last 5 years in the industry.

A business owner knew he was exposed and planned to backup his laptop. He had critical business information stored on it accumulated and created after much hard work. Given the laptop didn't show any signs of hardware fatigue and the operating system was fine, backing up these important files didn't seem a priority.

Even still the business owner decided to use our services after receiving a recommendation. We spoke to the individual on Thursday who said he would download and install the trial on Friday. However, as ever, "higher priority" tasks meant setting up the backup was postponed once again until the coming Monday.

Over the weekend the laptop was unfortunately dropped on the floor and the shock to the hard disk rendered it unusable....and all data was lost. This incident brought real tears to the individuals eyes as the reality of permanently lost critical data sank in.

Now a client of ours, the data is safe and sound with our watchful eyes also monitoring the backup as an additional extra.


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As you can imagine having been in this industry for a few years now, we hear many stories of how companies and individuals have lost their data. We thought it might be helpful to share some of these stories with you so similar mistakes and data / reputation loss is avoided.

Of course some learn quickly while others continue to take risks once the "disaster" is over. I wonder what you will do? We'll keep all identities confidential but you will know how closely you identify with the victims.

Keep watching this space for the first and subsequent stories - we're sure you'll find them educational and relevant in helping to prevent loss in your business however big or small.

Virtual call centres save money and offer flexibility not possible with traditional solutions

Many companies using online backup also use tapes. This may seem strange but here are some key reasons why they do this:-

1. They backup the most critical data using online backup and archive less important data on tapes or other removable media

2. They use tapes as an extra backup....but can obviously suffer forgetting to do so the odd time without any consequential loss

3. As data ages it can become less important and therefore not worth premium backup. In this case companies archive old data on tapes or disks.


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All companies who understand the impact of losing computer data owe it to themselves to ensure business can continue in the event of a disaster. Online backup offers other advantages in addition to making easier, safer and cheaper backups. one such advantage is when drafting business continuity plans.

Any plan as to how business can still be conducted should include "what if I can't access the building?".

So many companies use tape drives systems to backup their data and worse still store the backed up tapes in close proximity to the tape drive itself. If access to the building is prevented so is access to being able to restore data.

If tapes are stored off site, a compatible tape drive system is still required - not all tape drives can read all tapes. Realistic options are then to either:-

1. buy another tape drive system


2. borrow one from somebody else


3. Use a spare tape drive on standby


4. rent a tape drive system

All these problems have associated issues.

Option 1) is unnecessary expense, time and hassle.
Option 2) may be too inconvenient to be viable. How will you backup in the meantime?
Option 3) gives rise to unnecessary waste
Option 4) could work but is likely to be expensive.

Online backup presents a simple solution as you can download you data to any computer connected to the internet providing you have the correct credentials. You can also easily restore just those critical files you need to get running right away. Files can be selected using wild card characters (e.g. search for *.doc for all word documents on backed up system.

We'll continue looking at other ways in which online backup gives superior benefits to your business.

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Procedures present the hallmarks of a professional company and fundamentally help ensure tasks are completed in a consistent fashion. However, a company with the best procedures in place can still fail to execute even critical assignments - why is is?

Is isn't rocket science to understand the answer lies in the human element. We forget, cut corners and are sometimes "too busy". This is a common reason why companies don't backup critical data as they should.

The procedure is simple enough and even well understood yet the task is mundane and there is always something else staff would rather be doing. This is where the automation feature of online backup really helps. Corners can never be cut and the backup software never gets bored.

The above culminates in a more secure procedure for backing up your critical files - ensuring the task really is completed.

There is another side to procedural security as well. If you're taking removable media such as tapes or DVDs etc off site anything could happen to the data in transit such as theft or accidents. Computer files are automatically backed up to an off site location with online backup so such worries are completely alleviated.

Restoring files gives rise to the same argument. No physical transport is required - the file restore procedure is to simply click on the backup software "find" button, enter your file name and restore the required files - it really is that simple.

So backup procedures are both simplified and made more secure using online data backup.


Gain greater electronic security with professional online data backup, Linux backup