Cloud backups are not only more common but more simple than most people think. Gone are the days of physical media backups; now, it is easier and less expensive to backup to the cloud.
What is the Cloud?
The cloud is a reference to storing data on a computer that is available through an Internet connection, usually via TCP/IP. An example of cloud computing is Amazon’s S3 service, which offers effectively unlimited storage space to database administrators and website designers.
What are Cloud Backups?
Cloud backups are offsite copies of data that are accessible through an Internet connection, 24/7. Rather than storing data backups onsite, cloud backups are stored in a well monitored, secure data storage center. All data are securely encrypted using security ciphers, such as the ultrasecure AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). Unless the decryption passphrase is known, the data cannot be accessed. Users of cloud backup systems are assured that no one may access the data files, unless the passphrase (or passphrases) are properly authenticated.
Most users are familiar with using onsite backups, such as flash media, CD/DVD discs, or external hard drives. All of these media suffer from a shared risk: local physical security. If your office were burgled or destroyed in a fire, these locally-stored backups would be at as much risk as your primary storage media (workstations and network servers). Since data are your organization’s most valuable resource, and the only resource that is irreplaceable (and uninsurable), you must take extra precautions to ensure your organization will survive in the event your computing equipment were lost.
Because the security and privacy of data is so important, users often have a difficult time selecting a service for offsite backups. The backed up data must not be left open to the public (especially competitors). After reading thousands of pages of related security material and investing a year in testing cloud backup solutions, ITrain uses and recommends two services: BackBlaze and JungleDisk.
Popular Cloud Backup Solutions
Our recommendation comes from careful evaluation of many online backup solutions. BackBlaze and JungleDisk easily became the top solutions for a number of reasons:
1. Ultrasecure data storage
2. Fast, unencumbered upstream and downstream bandwidth
3. No outages
4. Unlimited storage space
5. Simple, automated backup control user interface
Our office network currently stores about 72GB of important data, a combination of small word processing/spreadsheet files and large desktop publishing, audio, and video files. These files are required for daily operations, and must be protected. Hundreds of additional gigabytes of video files are also saved, but these are of secondary importance.
We backup all important files to BackBlaze, which costs $5 per month. We backup all critical word processing and spreadsheet files, about 20GB worth, to JungleDisk which costs $0.15 per gigabyte per month. In addition, all files are duplicated on multiple servers and encrypted external hard disks within the office.
Both BackBlaze and JungleDisk accept our data backups as fast as our upstream bandwidth can send the files (usually 5-8MB per second).
Both services allow us to protect the securing of the data using two passphrases; JungleDisk even double encrypts the files. In both cases, we use passphrases of up to 64 pseudorandom characters (a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numerals, and punctuation marks). Because our files include information about you, our members, we take extra precautions to ensure your information is well protected.
BackBlaze stores the files on its proprietary servers; JungleDisk offers the option of storing the files on Amazon’s S3 service or RackSpace’s servers.
Managing Multiple Copies of Backups
JungleDisk’s backup software is the ultimate in flexibility. We can control how many copies of each backed up file are stored and for how long copies are maintained. BackBlaze automatically retains copies of backed up files for 30 days. In both cases, the most recent copy of each file is retained until manually removed.
Restoring Data
Both JungleDisk and BackBlaze offer a web-based restoration menu. JungleDisk also offers a shared drive interface, so the backup directories appear as a network drive.
For large restorations--those that are too large to quickly download, BackBlaze will send the files on DVD or external hard disk, shipped via overnight FedEx.
Dave's Opinion
I personally recommend both services, BackBlaze and JungleDisk. They offer the same level of data protection; however, they offer different benefits regarding data access and restoration. That is why ITrain uses both services.
BackBlaze is a generous sponsor of ITrain, offering the association a complementary annual subscription (even after we offered to pay for the subscription). In addition, through May 30, 2009, you may subscribe to BackBlaze’s backup service at a 10% discount. Whether you subscribe for one month or one year, you may receive a 10% discount on your first order, if you use the BackBlaze hyperlink below and the discount code, ITRAIN.
Please, test the services and post a comment telling us your evaluation.
Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments on the ITinfo blog.
References
BackBlaze
JungleDisk