Tape Backups: Are You Putting Your Data At Risk?

To begin with, in order to use tapes to backup your data you need to have a tape drive. Tape drives are data storage devices that read and write data stored on a magnetic tape. Think of a tape drive as if it were a tape recorder; instead of recording a conversation it writes and records data on a tape.

If you have a business and you are thinking about using (or are using) tape drives as your primary system for backing up your mission critical data, then you are putting your business at a completive disadvantage. Why? Because tape drives are expensive to install and maintain. Expect to spend from $400 to $1,000's of dollars just to get your system setup and running.

Once your system is setup and running, you will still need to budget money for the ongoing expense of purchasing tapes. Expect to pay anywhere's from $50 to over $100's of dollars or more per day. Take these numbers and annualize them and now you are looking at some serious money: $12,000 to $24,000 or more per year.

Tapes are not a very secure source for protecting your data. In order for your backup tapes to be secured you will need to take them offsite to a location that is 100% safe. Finding a location (if you can) that is offsite and secure can be very time consuming and expensive.

Tapes are very fragile. Tapes are written and recorded on a magnetic surface so it doesn't take much to damage them. This fragile environment is susceptible to damage from heat, moisture and dust.

The last point I would like to make is that tape drives are sequential access devices. This means that in order to access any particular portion of your tape, you are going to have to read all the preceding blocks of information. This type of technology is very slow and inefficient.

Many astute business owners have replaced their tape drives by utilizing the services of an online remote data backup service. This service allows business owners to avoid all the pitfalls associated with tapes and tape drivers. An online remote data backup service gives business owners a tool they can rely on to get the job done.

An online data backup service is a very cost effective and efficient alternative to tape drives. Your backups will be automatic and painless. The service is easy to install, and easy to manage from a technical point of view. It is completely transparent to the end user. Great for business owners who are non-technical.

Some of the other advantages of an online service include:

Your backups are automated. You set the schedule. Most business owners prefer to have their backups occur in the evenings after business hours.

Your backups are offsite. Data is protected from fire, floods, theft, sabotage and human error. You don't have to worry about taking tapes to a safe, offsite location every night.

Data backups are fast and secure. Data is transmitted and stored using military strength 128-bit AES encryption through Secure Socket Layer at mirrored, state-of-the-art data centers.

Remember: Data is the life blood of your company. Regardless of what method you choose to backup your data, it is critical that the system you use is efficient, cost effective, and provides the highest level of security for your mission critical data.