Choosing the best data backup solution for your business is essential. One decision you’re faced with as part of setting up that strategy is where and how you’ll store server backups: on-premises, in the cloud, or in some mix of the two.
To help you decide which data backup method is right for your business, we’ve compared the three most common backup methods against four essential criteria. And created a handy list of data backup solution providers to help you begin your research.
What to consider when deciding on your data backup strategy
In the last decade, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses to implement backup solutions and dozens to quickly and safely restore their data and systems.
Based on that experience, there are four essential things every business leader should consider when deciding which type of backup strategy is best for their context. They are:
1. Data volume and sensitivity
Some backup methods are more scalable than others, so consider the amount of data that you need to store. Additionally, if you store sensitive information like financial records, you’ll need to consider the compliance ramifications of your backup method.
2. Recovery time objectives (RTO)
RTO should be high on your list of priorities, as the speed at which you can resume operations or restore data after a disruption varies greatly per strategy.
3. Regulatory compliance
If your business deals with sensitive or critical data, compliance should be the number one consideration when deciding what type of backup method to use.
If not, you should still consider how the backup type will interact with common regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. Some backup methods put the burden of compliance entirely on the business. Whereas others (like cloud-based backup) share responsibility for GDPR and HIPAA between the provider and the business itself.
4. Cost and complexity
The upfront and ongoing costs of backup vary greatly, depending on the strategy. On-premises backup, for example, has much higher up-front and ongoing costs as you’ll need to purchase infrastructure like hardware and are responsible for ongoing maintenance – which often requires an in-house team.
Now that we’ve outlined the factors you should consider, let’s review the three most common backup methods.
Cloud-based data backup
Cloud backup is where a business stores its data on remote servers managed by a third-party provider. Data is accessed via the internet and is available anytime, anywhere, as long as there’s an internet connection.
In recent years, it’s become one of the most popular backup methods due to its scalability and low up-front (and ongoing) costs.
How it performs against:
- Cost and complexity: Cloud backup is incredibly cost-effective, with no up-front infrastructure costs and minimal IT support needed. Ongoing costs are low, too, as providers typically offer their services for a low monthly or yearly fee.
- Data sensitivity and volume: Cloud backup is excellent for large volumes of non-critical data, but sensitive data requires strong encryption and careful provider selection to ensure you meet compliance requirements.
- Recovery time objectives: Cloud-based backup excels at quick, file-level recovery. For a full restore, recovery can be slower depending on your internet speed.
- Regulatory compliance: Most cloud backup methods support common UK regulations like GDPR and HIPAA. However, it is considered a shared responsibility, and you will have to configure settings and manage data handling correctly.
On-premises data backup
On-premises backup keeps data on local servers or storage devices within your organisation. It gives businesses total control and offers fast recovery times, but has high up-front and ongoing costs. On-premises solutions are also vulnerable to physical risks like fire, theft, and flooding.
How it performs when considering:
- Cost and complexity: On-premises backup solutions require an up-front investment in hardware, infrastructure, and software. There are higher ongoing costs too, as upkeep and maintenance must be performed regularly and by skilled professionals.
- Data sensitivity and volume: On-premises backup is ideal for highly sensitive data and predictable storage needs because you maintain full control over security. However, they are expensive to scale as you can only store as much data as you have the infrastructure for (and purchasing more is costly).
- Recovery time objectives: On-premises backup offers (by far) the fastest recovery time, as data is stored locally and does not require an internet connection when restoring.
- Regulatory compliance: An on-premises backup will mean your business is 100% responsible for complying with regulations. But it also means you are in complete control and can establish strict internal policies to ensure compliance and protect data.
Hybrid data backup
Hybrid backup is a mix of both on-premises and cloud-based storage. While it varies per business, most often it involves storing critical or sensitive data on-premises. Cloud backup is then used for additional capacity, large volumes of non-sensitive data, and disaster recovery purposes.
How hybrid methods perform when considering:
- Cost and complexity: Hybrid backup has lower upfront and ongoing costs than a purely on-premises solution. They do require in-house expertise and ongoing maintenance, so they are more costly than cloud-based backup.
- Data sensitivity and volume: Hybrid backup is equally effective at storing large volumes of data and highly sensitive data. Sensitive or critical data will typically remain on-premises, while non-sensitive data is stored in the cloud.
- Recovery time objectives: With hybrid backup full restores are fast, as data is retrieved from local systems. Cloud-based storage also adds a layer of redundancy if local data is destroyed (though this restore may be slower).
- Regulatory compliance: Hybrid setups allow you to meet compliance requirements while still benefiting from cloud scalability (though managing both environments adds complexity).
Want expert advice on which backup solution to choose? Message us at contactus@phoenix47.co.uk to book a quick chat.
