Whilst the benefits of online backups are obvious, the issue many businesses have is who to choose to provide their online backup.

With so many backup providers out there it may seem difficult to know where to turn. Fortunately there are a few key questions to ask to ensure you make the correct decision.

Backup selection
Will the backup software allow me to backup everything I need to? Some backup systems enable you to backup only basic files and folders, whilst others will backup complex databases such as SQL and Exchange. Ask the backup provider if they can backup exactly what you need.

Security
Security is high on most peoples list. Does the online backup software encrypt your files when being sent over the Internet? Do the files remain encrypted on their storage servers – and who knows the encryption key? The key should be known only to you. The other security consideration should be physical security. Ask questions about exactly where your files are physically stored and the location of the datacenter. Some backup providers have their servers in a completely different country to the UK.

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