Disaster recovery in the cloud gaining steam

Businesses are using cloud computing for a number of tasks, including a way to safeguard data and keep this information accessible from potential disasters. Companies have long used tapes and disks to back up critical content in the case of a disruption, but what if these devices were stored at the affected site? Firms would be left scrambling to restore operations and recover files that may be lost forever.

That is why more organizations are backing up data to a cloud-based environment, so if a natural disaster strikes their physical location, their applications and data remain out of harm’s way and, importantly, accessible following the incident. This is possible because the cloud is available through the Internet. Employees with access to a cloud service don’t even have to come into the office to remain productive, instead working from their homes or remote location while cleanup takes place.

A recent Microsoft-funded survey conducted by Forrester discovered more companies are relying on the cloud for disaster recovery purposes. The latest poll found 15 percent of respondents are using the cloud for data backups, double the percentage of last year, CloudWedge reported.

Noel Yuhanna, principal analyst at Forrester, said 90 percent of the Internet’s information has been generated in just the last two years, according to the news source. It’s not surprising then that 70 percent of companies polled back up more than 2 terabytes of data.

However, a vast majority – 78 percent – of participants are still fearful of storing data in a public cloud service.

Why companies shouldn’t doubt the cloud’s protection
Not every organization is comfortable or understands the idea of hosting applications and data any place but their own offices. This is likely why the above figure is so high – firms are not always easy to convince there are better ways to operate, especially when it comes to safeguarding mission-critical information.

By storing data in a cloud-based environment, the content is inaccessible to malicious outsiders. Cloud vendors offer encrypted solutions to only authorized personnel. Also, companies are vulnerable to having tapes and disks stolen from their offices if they choose to keep these backups at an on-site location.

In many respects, the security capabilities of cloud computing have long been overblown. A Microsoft study conducted last year discovered 94 percent of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses have actually experienced security benefits with the cloud not present with on-premise solutions.

Adrienne Hall, general manager of Microsoft, asserted there is a misconception between how SMBs perceive the cloud and the benefits of the technology, including privacy and reliability.

“The real silver lining in cloud computing is that it enables companies not only to invest more time and money into growing their business, but to better secure their data and to do so with greater degrees of service reliability as well,” Hall said.

Get your cloud, disaster recovery from one source
Businesses interested in using cloud computing to improve their disaster recovery do not have to look far for support. Beringer Associates offers services in both areas, and has been a leading IT partner for more than 20 years.

Our goal with any customer is to create a realistic IT model that sets every business up for continued success. If you partner with us, we will analyze your infrastructure to select the best products for your unique needs. Once tools are launched, our team of professionals take care of the maintenance and upgrades to systems so your business does not have to.

Disasters can strike at any moment. Be ready for any situation with cloud computing and support from Beringer Associates.