If your business uses the cloud, it’s important that you pay attention to disaster recovery.
Lost data is stressful, slowing down your business and killing productivity while you deal with the problem.
So what do you need to know to make sure your data is covered in the cloud?
Here are some key areas to look at…
Understand What Your Cloud Provider Offers
Whether you’re using the cloud to process big data, store important documents, or host your payroll software, it’s important to understand what your service provider offers in terms of backup.
Good questions to ask include:
- What kind of data backups do they offer? How frequently will your data be backed up?
- What is their data restore policy? In the event of any data loss, what is the process for getting your data back up and running, and how quickly can you expect this to happen?
- Where are their data centers located? The article “Cloud Service Providers Get Serious About Disaster Recovery” suggests making sure that your provider’s data centers are in a secure location that isn’t susceptible to natural disasters.
- How do they adhere to any regulatory requirements?
- What kind of service level agreement do they provide, and how do they ensure they keep to that agreement?
- Do they offer any kind of network scans to check for suspicious activity?
- What are their security protocols like? What do they do to keep your data secure and how do they check for any breaches?
- What is their financial status? Don’t be afraid to ask about how long they’ve been trading, how they are funded and what their revenue is.
It’s a lot to think about, but having a thorough grasp of how your data will be handled and protected is vital to keeping your business secure and running smoothly.
Consider Using a Specific Backup Provider
Many businesses choose to use cloud-specific backup providers (backup as a service) to keep their data safe. A cloud backup provider can give you options for storing and restoring your data that are built around your business and your budget.
If you opt for a backup as a service provider, you’ll want to ask them the same range of questions you would ask any other cloud service provider (see above).
You can also ask for customer testimonials or recommendations from colleagues or other people in your network.
Google is also your friend in this case – check out what customers are saying about your chosen cloud provider online.
Make Security Everyone’s Business
When it comes to keeping your data safe in the cloud, security is everyone’s business. While your cloud provider should have strong security protocols in place, there is plenty you can do too.
For example, consider making your own regular onsite back-ups for extra security. Get your whole team involved by talking to them about why data security in the cloud matters, and what they can do to help keep things safe.
For example, you might want to talk about secure passwords, regular software updates, and sensible use of their own devices. Talk them through your disaster recovery plan and what they should do in the event that it’s needed. Get everyone on board to help keep your data safe.
The cloud is a secure option for many businesses, with cloud providers become ever more security conscious.
Ask the right questions and be aware of your data security needs to make sure your data stays safe in the cloud.
About the Author: Tristan Anwyn is an author who writes on a range of topics including social media, SEO that works, and how to keep your data safe in the cloud.
