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What’s the Difference Between Archiving and Backing Up Your Data, and Do You Need Both?

December 27, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

It goes without saying that your data is vitally important to your business. Lose data, and you could be out of business for a while, or maybe for good.

But many business owners don’t completely understand how to protect their data. It’s not complicated, but you need to understand the two most basic data protection methods.

In this article, we’ll explain the differences between backing up and archiving data, and why each is important.

What Is a Data Backup?

A data backup protects the data you work with every day by keeping a copy in a secure location so you can restore it quickly if it’s lost or damaged.

You need to consider three key things when you design your backup strategy. First, the changes you’ve made to your data since your last backup are at risk because they aren’t yet backed up. So, you need to think about how much data you can afford to lose when you create your backup schedule. You might decide to back up daily, hourly, or even more frequently. It’s a tradeoff between your needs and the cost.

Second, you need to keep your backup in a secure location away from your data to protect it from theft, vandalism, fire, or water damage. Don’t keep it on the premises; that’s not going to help you if the building burns down.

Third, you need to be able to quickly restore your data from the backup. Time is money, especially when your systems are down, and the longer it takes to bring your systems back up, the more business you stand to lose.

What Is a Data Archive?

A data archive stores data that you don’t need every day but might need in the future. It’s like putting your old files in boxes and storing them in the attic while you keep your active files within reach. Some examples could be tax data, bank transactions, medical records, and any records required for regulatory compliance.

Archiving pulls this data out of your daily work data and stores it offline so it can’t be modified intentionally or accidentally. Just like a backup, it needs to be in a secure location away from your data.

Do You Need Both a Backup and an Archive?

Residential users might be able to get away without an archive because they usually have much less data than a business. That means you can keep your archived data and work data together in a backup.

But for a large business, it’s best to use both a backup and an archive. A backup is much faster and easier to restore than an archive because it uses high-speed storage devices such as fast hard disks or flash disks. This keeps your downtime after a data loss to a minimum.

On its own, an archive won’t do the job for either a business or an individual. An archive contains only the part of your work data that you need to keep long-term. Plus, it isn’t performed often enough, so too much of your work data is at risk of being lost. Finally, it’s too slow to restore, so your systems might be down too long.

Creating a Strong Data Backup and Archiving Strategy

A lot goes into a good backup and archive strategy, and it’s critical that you get it right. You don’t want to discover that you’re missing data after a data loss or when you need records for regulatory or legal compliance.

We can provide you with a tailored backup and archive solution for the best protection you can have against data loss. Give us a call today at (515)422-1995 to learn more.

Filed Under: Backup, Business, Tips Tagged With: Archiving, Backups, business, data

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5 Questions Execs Need to Ask about Cybersecurity

November 22, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

Cybersecurity is a constantly changing field. A new technology is developed to keep criminals at bay, but soon after, bad actors find a way around it. As a business leader, you have a lot to manage, but don’t overlook the importance of managing cybersecurity risks, too. Asking these five questions prioritizes keeping data and systems protected.

You already know the importance of protecting data. Leaked or stolen personal information can be devastating for your business reputation, but there’s so much more involved with cybersecurity. Your employees may be working from home more, which means you have remote equipment to manage. You could have Internet of Things endpoints, and automatic ordering and fulfillment adds more points of entry to secure.

Execs need to know what is being done to identify, protect, and detect. Plus, they should have a good idea of how the business is set up to respond and recover. These five questions can help you manage cybersecurity efforts.

#1 What assets and entry points do we have that need protection?

You need to have a full inventory of what you have to protect; otherwise, you can’t expect your cybersecurity to be effective. Determine what needs monitoring and management, as well as your priorities.

Asset inventory management helps ensure all licensing and manufacturer upgrades are current. This keeps your tech patched against the latest known threats.

#2 How are we securing our technology?

Taking a multi-layered approach is best. Besides antivirus software, your business also needs firewalls (even many firewalls). Still, it doesn’t stop there. You can also take advantage of:

  • identity and access management tools;
  • encryption;
  • vulnerability scans;
  • penetration testing;
  • employee training in defending against cyberthreats.

#3 How do we detect problems?

Be proactive about detecting incidents. Many breaches are not immediately detected, which makes the damage worse. Build capabilities to identify any vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.

Most antivirus software detects malware, spyware, ransomware, and more. You’ll get an alert of a risk and be able to cut the risk. You can also collect and analyze security logs to help identify potential threats.

#4 What is our plan in the event of an incident?

Few of us think at our best in crisis situations. It’s much better to anticipate the worst and think ahead. Leadership can make a plan to respond to ransomware, establish a disaster plan, and consider business continuity. You can also determine everyone’s roles and responsibilities. Learn who needs to be alerted, and decide who will do so. It all helps you get back to business as usual more effectively.

Once you have business recovery plans in place, test them. For instance, you don’t want to wait until a cyber incident to learn that your data backup wasn’t working.

#5 What are we doing to create a cybersecurity culture?

You may think about company culture as mission and values. That influences hiring, employee engagement, and business success. Yet you can also encourage an environment that motivates cybersecurity behaviors. Help your team members understand they have a role to play in championing security.

You might establish a cybersecurity culture by:

  • asking these five questions;
  • encouraging regular backups;
  • discouraging people from downloading software without prior approval;
  • establishing a bring-your-own-device policy;
  • educating employees about threats;
  • communicating who employees can contact if they suspect malware or phishing.

The more you know

Learning more about cybersecurity can only help your business. A managed service provider is a great resource for answers to these questions. Partner with us today by calling us at (515)422-1995.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: business, data, security, tips

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How to Improve Your Data Management

November 15, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

Data drives business today and losing it can be disastrous. Yet there are so many data risks challenging your efforts. These tips to improve your data management can help.

Anyone can accidentally delete data. There are many other ways you might also lose business data:

  • loss or theft of a USB drive or other portable device;
  • hardware failure;
  • a ransomware attack;
  • a data breach.

Proper storage and protection of your data needs to be an ongoing, daily practice. You can’t just set up a process and trust that it works. Effective management of how and where you save your files can help you use data to boost your business.

Know what data you have

Data management begins with understanding what data your business generates. Identify what kind of data you collect to ensure you are effectively storing and securing it. This way, you’ll also be able to use data to identify opportunities and improve efficiency.

Have a process for storing data

Consistency matters. Establish strong storage practices to better manage the quintillion bytes of data your business generates daily.

You might develop a naming format using the YYYY-MM-DD system. Standardization is especially important if international clients use a different date system.

Create a folder for currently active projects and another for archiving dormant projects. This not only helps with clutter but can help streamline your data backup. Ongoing work can be backed up by the hour, whereas archived data might be checked to see if it’s changed every two weeks.

Follow best practices for securing data

Your business likely has firewalls in place to secure on-premises infrastructure, but data is increasingly mobile. Employees might move data on thumb drives or have it on their mobile phones or laptops. This isn’t safe from loss, damage, or theft without encryption, password protection, and data backup.

Consider using the cloud to store data. A solution such as Microsoft365 allows teams to access and collaborate on files online. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about having multiple versions of the same file. You also don’t need to move data on portable devices. Your people can access the cloud data from wherever they are, on any device.

Make sure you are compliant

Data management regulations in your country may differ from countries where you do business. For example, if you sell to companies in Europe, you need to comply with its Global Data Privacy Regulations (GDPR). In the United States, rules can vary across states. Research data privacy and data protection regulations everywhere you operate.

Build in accountability for data management

Put someone in charge of data management. You need trained and experienced staff to manage data (compliant with privacy practices). The person or team responsible needs to know data quality and protection essentials.

Work with data management experts

As the volume of data grows, its management can get more complicated. Our experts have the skills to manage data and ensure the best data-handling practices. Contact us at (515)422-1995.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: business, data, tips

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Is It Worth Waiting for Something Bad to Happen?

October 11, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

It’s estimated that 46% of users lose data each year. Yet businesses may not invest in proactive data backup. They think data loss won’t impact them or don’t know how to back up in the first place.

Still, backup is more affordable and accessible than data recovery after the fact.

Any business in any industry is at risk of a data breach. It can come from an unintentional human error on the inside. Maybe someone means to send a sensitive spreadsheet to a colleague and sends it “reply all.” Oh no! Members of the press and the public were on that email thread!

Then, there are cybercriminals working diligently to attack vulnerable organizations. Sometimes they do it to obtain data they can sell, or they might install ransomware to charge you money to regain access to your data. They could also hack you to try to get to a bigger target in your supply chain.

Bad guys’ motivation aside, a data breach will hurt your business. Suffering a data breach can lead to:

  • extensive interruption of business operations;
  • financial losses;
  • damaged business reputation;
  • compliance and regulatory issues and fines.

In short, it’s not worth the risk of paying for data recovery, data breaches or ransomware. You can invest a lot less upfront to protect your data.

Prevent the Worst from Happening

Keeping your business safe from cyberscams and other risks is essential. Do it in advance. Take preventative measures to avoid the larger cost of cleaning up a cyber mess after it happens.

Invest in a solution that will manage all your software and system updates. Keep your system up to date with patch management to close weaknesses criminals might exploit.

You’ll also want to install a firewall to block any brute-force attacks made on your network. Secure any endpoints connecting to your network from outside the firewall, as well. If employees connect remotely using mobile devices, tablets, and laptops, this means you.

Also, invest in data backup. Having your data backed up can help you avoid serious downtime and give you more control in a ransomware situation.

Staying current on all the ways to protect your business from cybercrime can be overwhelming, but don’t deny the problem. Yes, a data breach could happen to you, and it costs so much more to deal with after the fact.

Be proactive by partnering with a managed service provider (MSP). For a fixed monthly cost, an MSP can take on your patch management and ensure data backups. We can help you maintain a high level of protection against threats. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Filed Under: Backup, Business, Security Tagged With: Backups, business, data, security

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Data Breaches Are Getting Worse: Know the Basics

August 30, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

The exposure of sensitive information can be disastrous for individuals, businesses, or governments. Yet data breaches aren’t going away. The first data breach compromised more than a million records in 2005. Since then, we’ve seen ongoing news of breaches. But there are some basic steps you can take to avoid falling victim to an attack.

Let’s look just at August 2022:

  • A breach at communications giant Twilio exposes 1900 users’ phone numbers and SMS verification codes.
  • Researchers discover at least 9000 virtual-network computing endpoints exposed online without a password.
  • CISCO confirms a ransomware gang has exfiltrated 2.8GB of data.
  • An American neurology practice notifies 363,833 individuals of a data breach.
  • 4 million Twitter users are thought to have been affected by a data breach at the social media firm.

And that’s all during a 10-day period!

In its annual Cost of a Data Breach study, IBM found the cost of a breach hit a record high this year, at nearly $4.4 million.

How does a data breach work?

A data breach involves any unauthorized access to confidential, sensitive, or protected information, and it can happen to anyone. Data breaches happen mainly when hackers can exploit user behavior or technology vulnerabilities.

The threat surface continues to grow exponentially. We are increasingly reliant on digital tools such as smartphones and laptops. With the Internet of Things (IoT), we’re adding even more endpoints that unauthorized users can access.

Popular methods for executing malicious data breaches include:

  • phishing – emails in which hackers persuade users to hand over access credentials or the data itself;
  • brute-force attacks – hackers use software and sometimes even hijacked devices to guess password combinations until they get in;
  • malware – infects the operating system, software, or hardware (often without the user knowing) and steals private data.

Disgruntled employees or political hacktivists can also be behind data breaches. However, more often than you would hope, the breach is due to human error.

Basic steps to avoid data breaches

Too many data breaches trace back to people using weak access credentials. Yes, there are still people out there using “password” or “123456” to log in at work! Thus, an important step to counter data breaches is enforcing strict password policies.

Multi-factor authentication can also help. This way, even if the employee uses a poor password, or their strong password is stolen, the hacker has to work to get access. They might need the user’s physical device to confirm a one-time-use code sent to verify identity.

It’s also important to patch and upgrade software as soon as asked to do so. Manufacturers support security by keeping abreast of hacker attacks throughout the world. They’ll also watch for bugs and any vulnerabilities. Disregarding that message to upgrade or patch could leave your computers at risk.

Encrypting all sensitive data can also cut the risks of a data breach. That way, if the bad guys do get inside your systems, they can’t do anything with the information they access.

With more people working remotely, the number of users doing business on their own devices is also up, which represents another data breach risk. Enforce strict Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies to minimize exposure. You might require virtual private networks and professional-grade antivirus protection.

Don’t risk data breach damage

Data breaches cause business downtime and can cost your reputation and bottom line. You may lose customers and also have to pay legal fees or compliance fines. Don’t let this happen to you. A managed services provider can install protection and take precautions against data breaches. Call us today at (515)422-1995.

Filed Under: Business, Security, Tips Tagged With: breach, business, data, security

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How Secure is Cloud Data?

August 16, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

Data security is a common concern when migrating to the cloud. When data is on-premises, the business secures the sensitive data, and that feels safer. But that isn’t always the case. In fact, data can be safer in the cloud than on-site at your business.

When you put together your business infrastructure, you have many business priorities. Securely storing data is only one of your objectives and could even be one that you added on later.

A cloud services provider builds from the ground up with the goal of securing data online. Thus, cloud companies typically offer far more robust cybersecurity measures. After all, the success of Dropbox or Amazon Web Services depends on securing cloud data.

A hacker can use malware or phishing emails to target the data on your business devices. With ransomware, they make it impossible to reach your data unless you pay a ransom (or have a good data backup). Yet these cyberattacks don’t work in the cloud. Bad actors might access what’s stored on an individual user’s device, but they can’t get to the larger trove of data online.

Cloud servers are also safer because they’re in data warehouses most workers can’t physically access. Plus, the service providers will usually set up redundancies. So, for example, if a natural disaster hits one server site, they will offer continued access from another site.

Some cloud service vendors will also invest in third-party testing. To keep data safe, they hire external companies to test for vulnerabilities.

More reasons cloud data is safe

Cloud data is encrypted not only in storage but usually also in transit to and from the servers. This means your information is scrambled, and a bad actor getting between your business and its cloud data can’t understand it.

Cloud service providers also regularly monitor and maintain security. They spend more resources ensuring systems are up to date. They’re also more likely to use data analytics to identify trends or threats to their security. You might do the same, but you are unlikely to do so on the same scale.

Another advantage of keeping your data in the cloud? When you move to the cloud, you no longer have to store all that data on your own hardware. You still have access to your documents, media, or reports, but the third-party provider will likely have more storage space and processing speed. So, your on-site technology may function better, too.

You’re also cutting out common cybersecurity risks. You don’t have to risk storing data on laptops, which can get lost or stolen. You also end the need for thumb drives (or USB drives), which can also be stolen or lost. Plugging in these external devices can also expose you to viruses or other risks.

How to secure data in the cloud

First off, encrypt your data. Make sure you contract with a provider who will encrypt data in transit. This makes it more difficult for hackers to get at your information.

Enabling multi-factor authentication can also help secure data by adding layers of rigor. It moves your data security beyond just asking for a username and password. We know all too well that those are often compromised or guessed.

When you move your data to the cloud, you will need to pay attention to compliance regulations. Depending on your industry, there may be particular standards for data storage. Encryption is a common compliance expectation.

It’s also a good idea to train your employees on the importance of securing data. Engaging in ongoing security awareness training can help protect your endpoints. This is particularly important with people working remotely and connecting from off-site locations.

Help with securing your cloud data

Migrating to the cloud has its benefits. Still, that doesn’t make it a straightforward process. Work with our IT experts to move your data to the cloud with minimal disruption. We can help you find the right cloud service provider and assist with data backup processes. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Filed Under: Business, Cloud, Security, Tips Tagged With: business, cloud, data, security

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Automated Data Backups Still Need Management

August 2, 2022 by Paul Schwegler

Your business is backing up its data in case of a cyberattack or other disastrous disruption. Yes, you can pat yourself on the back for that, but don’t get too complacent with backing up. Automated backup still needs monitoring and management.

Having decided to back up data, you may feel confident you can withstand an attack or recover from unexpected downtime. But if you simply trust the backup to run at a certain time, you might be surprised. Automated backups can make the job easier. Still, you should be monitoring these backups and checking them, too. There’s nothing worse than finding out months later that something went wrong with your automated backup.

Why you need to monitor backup

A technician can set an automated backup to run on a set schedule. They select a time that causes the least interruption while ensuring up-to-date data. Yet this is too important a process to leave unattended.

Things change. The automated backup is set up for the technology configuration when originally installed. A lot can happen in the meantime as the IT environment evolves.

Blindly trusting automated backup could leave you unaware of problems such as:

  • an unplugged backup device;
  • an altered device letter, which means it isn’t found;
  • moved folders;
  • software updates that might have changed what needs to be done and how;
  • the original plan not accounting for new servers or migration from on-premises to the cloud;
  • insufficient capacity for the backup.

If no one is monitoring that backup, your business could assume it went smoothly. Then, when you need that backup, you could find out the hard way it didn’t go as planned.

Keeping an eye on automated backup

It’s not that you can’t automate backup, and there is convenience in doing so. Automating the backup of a computer, network, or IT environment can save time and money.

Yet you need someone to pay attention. Monitoring backups ensures that the process is running smoothly.

A managed service provider (MSP) will take a hands-on approach to your automated backups. If there is a failure, they have the skills to address the issue quickly and alert you of any bigger issues. Plus, with an MSP in your corner, you gain IT experts skilled at data recovery, too.

The MSP’s techs can even run data-restore drills, helping you to prepare for challenges such as ransomware attacks or accidental data deletion.

Process automation helps businesses, but don’t rely on it unattended. Optimize data backup by adding a human element. An MSP can ensure quality and fully protect your business. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Filed Under: Backup, Business, Maintenance, Tips Tagged With: Backups, business, data, maintenance

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What to Do If Your Data Is Included in a Leak

May 11, 2021 by Paul Schwegler

Data breaches are now daily occurrences and can happen to any business. The April 2021 leak of 533 million Facebook records was one of the largest known data leaks, but even if you weren’t affected by that one, you may still be at risk.

There is no easy way to know if your information has been leaked. When a business is hacked, it typically sends a notification letting you know, but this isn’t guaranteed. And you can’t go in and check the Dark Web. It is difficult to find and dangerous to access, and that is why the bad guys like it.

It’s a good idea to navigate to https://haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email address or phone number is on any data breach files. This isn’t conclusive, but it can help.

Even, if you’re not sure if you’ve been a victim of a data leak, you’ll want to take action.

There are several smart strategies to follow immediately.

#1 Limit your social sharing

It is simple to share on social media – that is part of the fun. You share the pictures of your wedding day or anniversary, or your new house with its address. You’re filling in family and friends in your life, right?

Well, if you are using any of that information to create access credentials, you are sharing too much. Someone with a beloved cat called “Petunia” in every photo who uses the feline’s name as a password gives hackers an edge.

You might think you are sharing harmless information, but those birthday party photos posted on the big day are a clue to your identity that hackers can exploit.

#2 Use Unique Passwords

Would you believe people still use “12345678” and “password” as their passwords? If you are one of them, stop now. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again and again: use unique passwords for every one of your accounts. Yes, it is more to remember, but it helps cut the risk of a data breach at one site snowballing to disastrous consequences for you.

You might use a password keeper such as 1Password or LastPass to manage your many passwords. This is more secure than the password manager offered by your Web browser, although those are better than revising passwords or trying (hopelessly) to memorize them.

#3 Add Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) makes it more challenging for the bad actor. Now, they will need to obtain access not only to log in credentials but also to your personal device. However, since phone numbers are often included in a data leak, this isn’t the best solution. If the hacker has your name, address, and birthdate from the Dark Web, they can take over your phone number, too. They call the company and say, “I lost my phone. Can I get another SIM card.” Then, they are the ones to get those verification codes via message, not you.

Better still, use a 2FA app to confirm your identity. Authy or LastPass are good authenticator apps. After you attempt to log in, you will need to enter a time-sensitive code generated by the app to complete access.

#4 Stop Signing into Other Sites Using Social

Sure, it is convenient to use your Facebook or other social media account to sign in to connected applications, because you have fewer passwords to remember. Some of your data is automatically transferred, so signup is streamlined, too. Yet you are increasing the risk of account compromise.

The hacker may access the third-party application and use that as a stepping stone to get into your social account. That’s where the trove of data is.

#5 Develop an Alternate Ego

It all sounds super spy, but you might have one email account you open to be a burner account for social media. You could also use a fake birth date, a fake alma mater, and other alternative facts to fill out the social profile.

Don’t fabricate personal details for an employer, or a financial or educational institution. But you might use a fake identity for entertainment, gaming, and social sites that bad guys may mine for personal data.

Need help securing your social media or other online activity? Our experts can help. Contact us today at (515)422-1995!

Filed Under: Business, Security, Tips Tagged With: business, data, security, tips

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Handle with Care: Sending Data Securely

July 28, 2020 by Paul Schwegler

In our digital economy, we send and receive information quickly online. The Internet offers immediate communication with colleagues, clients, vendors, and other strategic partners. Yet we shouldn’t prioritize convenience over data security.

What data do you send in a day’s worth of emails? Sensitive data you send might include:

  • personally identifiable information (PII);
  • credit card or payment card information;
  • attorney–client privileged information;
  • IT security information;
  • protected health information;
  • human subject research;
  • loan or job application data;
  • proprietary business knowledge.

The problem is people sending without thinking about the security of the transmission. One way to gauge the need for security is to consider how you might send that same information via the postal service. Would you put that data on a postcard that anyone could read? Or would you send a sealed, certified mailing and require the recipient’s signature?

Transmitting data on the Internet in plain text is like the postcard – anyone can read the information. And before you think that no one can actually see your data in transit, think about where you are sending from. Your office network may be password protected and secure, but what if someone waiting for their coffee at Starbucks opens the message using the free Wi-Fi network?

Anyone can intercept communications on open networks with the right tools. This type of cyberattack is common enough to merit its own name: a “man-in-the-middle” attack.

So, how can you stay safe when sending sensitive data?

Embrace encryption. Encrypting the data is like sending that sensitive information in a locked box. Encryption encodes the information to add a level of security. If encrypted data is intercepted, the scrambled data is unreadable by unauthorized users. Only a user with the correct decryption key can access the text.

Encryption also provides additional confirmation that the information is coming from a reliable source.

Your business should also require Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) for sending and receiving large or numerous digital files. You may have heard of FTP, but this file transfer protocol is not encrypted. SFTP is the secure version of FTP, as it encrypts the files in transit. If a nefarious entity does intercept the files, it won’t be able to read them without the decryption key.

Specifically, encourage your employees to:

  • use encrypted email only (common providers such as Gmail and Outlook support it; others require third-party apps or services);
  • encrypt files before sending to the cloud (in case accounts are breached or services hacked);
  • never open business communications on unsecured Wi-Fi networks;
  • keep good track of laptops and other portable devices and use drive encryption in case – with encryption, a lost laptop or stolen thumb drive is more secure, and criminals will have a difficult time stealing sensitive information, too;
  • control data access – grant permission to view, edit, or send files with sensitive information only to users who need that data for their jobs.

Managed service providers help your business decrypt how to send its sensitive information. Turn to experts in cloud services and IT security to learn how to securely send and receive data.

Contact us today at (515)422-1995!

Filed Under: Business, Security, Uncategorized Tagged With: business, data, security

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Storage Struggles? How to Keep Up with the Data Explosion

January 7, 2020 by Paul Schwegler

The digital boom presents us with brand new problems too. By moving all our files into a digital space, the amount of storage we need to maintain has grown larger and larger just to keep up.

As digital technology has improved, the resolution, clarity, and size of the digital files we create has exploded. Items such as Xrays, which used to be printed on film are now digital files transferred by computer. As a result of the increase in both the number of digital files we use and their ever-growing size, the size of the data we need to store has exploded exponentially.

There are a number of ways in which we can tackle our ever-growing storage problem.

Local server or Network Attached Storage (NAS)

A local server is a machine physically located within your own office or building. These are typically designed to serve many files to multiple clients at one time from locally held storage.

The primary advantage that a local network server has is that all your vital data is available to all users in one central location. This means that employees across the network can access all the resources made available.

These machines can serve files at the speed of the local network, transferring large projects, files, and documents from a central position within the network with ease.

A NAS has many of the same network properties, typically packaged as a smaller profile, low powered computer. A NAS is specifically designed to enable network file sharing in a more compact package. These can be available in units small enough to fit in a cupboard nook and yet still provide staggering storage capacity on only a small amount of power.

Both a local server and NAS device allow for large amounts of storage space to be added to the local network. These units are often expanded with more and more storage over time. As an organization grows over time, so do its data storage requirements.

Cloud Storage

Sometimes the best option for storage is to move your ever-expanding data outside of the business completely. Often, offloading the costs of hardware and IT management can work out to be an intelligent business decision. One that provides freedom and flexibility in your data storage needs.

The major advantage of cloud storage comes from the ability to expand and contract your services as needed without the unnecessary overhead of adding and maintaining new hardware.

By moving storage to the cloud, data can be accessed from anywhere in the world. The flexibility provided by cloud storage allows limitless expansion to any number of devices, locations, and offices. Being able to access data from many locations at a single time can often provide a valuables boost to productivity that can help to speed projects along.

Some of the drawbacks of cloud storage come from factors that may be outside of the control of the business. Not all internet connections are found to be up to the task of handling large amounts of data to and from the cloud. In some cases, the infrastructure is quite simply not in place yet to support it.

IT security regulations can prove to be a barrier to enabling storage in the cloud too. Some regulations either prohibit the feature entirely or enable only certain specific types for use.

The Right Choice for your data

Both cloud and local storage can provide further benefits to enhance your business. Audit logs, central backups, and version control can all be used to secure the way your firm handles data.

Whatever your situation, whether a small NAS can boost your office productivity, a local server can provide the connectivity missing from your firm, or cloud storage can switch on new resources, we can advise on the best choices for your business.

Give us a call at (515)422-1995 to allow us to use our expertise to make the right chose for your data.

Filed Under: Business, Cloud, Tips Tagged With: cloud storage, data, network, server

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