Data Security in the Cloud: A Deep Dive into Cloud Backup

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Predictive AnalyticsCloud backup, also known as online backup or remote backup, is a data protection strategy in which a business or individual copies their data to a remote server hosted in a data center. This process involves regularly backing up critical files, databases, applications, and other digital assets to a secure and off-site location over the internet. The primary purpose of cloud backup is to ensure that data is securely stored and can be easily restored in case of data loss, disasters, hardware failures, or other unforeseen events.

Data Protection and Redundancy

Cloud backup provides an extra layer of data protection by creating redundant copies of your data in multiple geographically dispersed data centers. This redundancy minimizes the risk of data loss due to hardware failures or local disasters, such as fires, floods, or theft.

Accessibility and Availability

Cloud backup services offer high availability and accessibility. Your data can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing for remote work, disaster recovery, and business continuity.

Automated and Scheduled Backups

Cloud backup solutions typically offer automated and scheduled backup options. This means you can set up a backup schedule that suits your business needs, ensuring that data is consistently and reliably backed up without manual intervention.

Scalability

Cloud backup services are scalable, meaning you can adjust your storage capacity as needed. As your business grows and generates more data, you can easily expand your backup storage space without the need for significant hardware investments.

Cost-Efficiency

Cloud backup eliminates the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance costs associated with traditional backup solutions. You pay for the storage and services you use on a subscription basis, making it a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes.

Security and Encryption

Reputable cloud backup providers prioritize data security. They typically employ strong encryption methods to protect your data during transmission and while it’s stored in their data centers. This helps ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your data.

Disaster Recovery

In the event of data loss, cloud backup allows for swift and efficient disaster recovery. You can restore your data quickly, minimizing downtime and potential losses to your business operations.

Compliance and Regulations

Many industries and regions have specific data retention and compliance requirements. Cloud backup solutions often offer features that help businesses meet these regulatory obligations by securely storing and managing data.

Versioning and File Recovery

Cloud backup services often offer versioning and file recovery features, allowing you to recover previous versions of files and restore specific files or folders to a specific point in time.

Focus on Core Business Activities

Outsourcing your backup needs to a reputable cloud provider allows your IT team to focus on core business activities rather than spending time and resources managing backup infrastructure.

Cloud backup is a crucial component of modern data management and protection strategies for businesses. It provides a secure, scalable, cost-effective, and reliable way to safeguard data, ensure business continuity, and comply with data retention regulations.

If you would like more information about Cloud Backup and Storage solutions for your business, fill out the form on this page and someone will get back with you or call us at 314-492-2506.

What Is Business Continuity Planning?

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It’s not just your data, it’s your business

Business Continuity is all about reducing the impact of a catastrophic data loss. Sure, you can restore individual files, but the ability to restore an entire server or the environment in the cloud in minutes, so you can reduce the impact of a catastrophic loss – that’s where the real value is.

WheelHouse Solutions has two levels of business continuity. Both share similar benefits such as local and cloud storage of your backup images and the ability to recreate your environment, in the cloud, in case of a catastrophic disaster. Our premium level business continuity solution utilizes a local appliance that allows for the quickest possible recovery time, for when seconds count.

How Does the Backup and Disaster Recovery (BDR) Appliance Work?

  • The BDR software periodically creates image-based backups of the backed-up server at pre-configured intervals (Usually every 15 minutes)
    The backup images are automatically backed up locally to the on-site BDR appliance.
    The backup images are then transferred automatically to the WheelHouse Solutions Storage Cloud.

Accidental File Deletion

In addition to full images, it can recover individual files, folders, and Exchange items (emails, attachments, mailboxes) in moments.

Server Hardware Failure

The on-site BDR appliance is leveraged for on-site virtualization of the impacted servers which allows restoring full operation to the business within minutes.

Catastrophic Fire or Flood

Multiple recovery options exist. One such option is the WheelHouse Solutions Continuity Cloud which allows servers to be virtualized, in WheelHouse Solutions’ cloud, for continued business operations even in the face of total disasters.

WheelHouse Solutions provides Business Continuity Planning to all types of businesses. We invite you to click here or call us at 314-492-2506 to request additional information about our Business Continuity Planning services. We’ll work with you to develop a solution that will meet your needs now, as well as provide for future growth and flexibility.

Business Storage Solutions and Data Integrity and Restoration

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There are increasing risks daily due to ever-growing exposure of data integrity to new technologies and devices. Recognizing this, IT professionals are devoting more and more resources, time, and effort to detecting, preventing and restoring from hackers who, maliciously or otherwise, seek to gain access to management systems and disrupt the programming. In fact, Gartner estimates that spending alone on security threats will reach $77 billion globally in 2015. That is a lot of money by any standards for storage business solutions; where are the threats coming from?

A recent article by Shelly Cramer on Dell Power More on 7/31/2015 about 4 Steps To Protect Utility Management System from Hackers, shed some light on this problem. The Global State of Information Security for 2015 reported 42.8 million security incidents for the year, an increase of 48% since 2013.  So, what is the danger for utilities? Consumers typically take for granted their access to water, electricity, the Internet, oil and gas pipelines and associated utilities. But, the failure of any one of these has a cascading effect, similar to a row of dominos that starts with the first one being knocked over. Hurricane Katrina demonstrated this in New Orleans and years later, the infrastructure is still having problems. Ms. Cramer postulated that the four key areas to evaluate to help protect against utility management failures are human failures, known weakness spots and insecurities, disaster recovery and prevention drills, and data backup and restoration.

Unfortunately, the human area is becoming more and more an insider risk from disgruntled employees or consultants or former employees who still have access and use their knowledge to bring down the systems. Recurring training and continuing evaluations can reduce this risk. Known weaknesses obviously are studied carefully and many areas can present a risk. Bring Your Own Device, online bill pay, social networks and a mobile workforce are all key places to focus. Fire drills to evaluate reactions to systems degradation or losses can really help to not only train your IT security forces to react imaginatively but also to think deeply about the processes involved. How about data recovery and backup?

The keys on data recovery involve multiple areas such as location and type of storage, methods and time of restoration, the integrity of communication networks, and the resistance of restored networks to further attacks, among others. There are so many facets to data that many organizations turn to outside experts to assist them

Storage business solutions are one of the many ways that WheelHouse Solutions can help.  WheelHouse Solutions began in 2000 and is dedicated to the premise that companies need a trusted technology partner. Over the years, we added expertise in many different technology areas. A partial list of the value-added areas we offer includes cloud storage access and technology, telecom solutions and cost reduction, training for employees, managed IT services, and much more.

We start with an evaluation of your company and organization and give to you an accurate and detailed picture of where we can help you and the savings you will accrue as a result. Our mission is to become one of your trusted partners. We continually upgrade our own technology so we can offer you the best solution for your needs.  Call us today at 314-492-2506 for more information.

Five Ways Cloud Storage Solutions Can Improve Your Business

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Technology advances so quickly that you may become bewildered at all the options available to you. One of the choices you may find yourself making is the choice between traditionally stored data and cloud storage. You’re probably more familiar with traditional methods, but there are a few things you ought to know about cloud storage before making up your mind. One of them is how you can use cloud storage to improve your business practices and efficiency. Here are five ways cloud storage can help you do business more intelligently.

Safeguard Your Data

If a natural disaster hits your business, you won’t have to worry about losing all your projects if you’ve stored everything in the cloud. The physical components of cloud hosting are kept in several different locations and heavily protected for security. Similarly, you won’t have to worry about theft of valuable data. Security is easy; all you have to do is use strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access, and all your information will be untouchable.

Take Pressure Off Technical Staff

When you use cloud storage, your IT staff can stop worrying about taking care of data storage and focus on the other aspects of helping your business run smoothly. If you’re just starting up your business, also consider that the lessened data storage work may mean you can hire fewer technical people, reducing your overall operating costs.

Improve Public Image

Although it may soon become the norm and displace on-site servers almost entirely, cloud hosting today is a newer technology and therefore taking advantage of it can make your business look especially tech-savvy. This can give you a cutting edge which you can then use as a business advantage over your competition.

Reduce Hassle for All Employees

Because cloud storage solutions are so user-friendly, your employees will find it easier to accomplish their projects. You and your employees can access your data from any mobile device, which translates into the constant availability of work projects wherever your employees are. As you can imagine, this feature greatly increases the potential for productivity.

Improve Versatility and Flexibility

In addition to versatile access, cloud storage offers versatility in several other areas as well. For example, because cloud hosting is virtual, it doesn’t take up any space in your office. This allows you to make more efficient use of your space than ever before. In addition, it’s easier when you’re starting up a business because you don’t have to add acquiring the infrastructure for data storage to your start-up costs. Another way cloud storage offers flexibility is by allowing you to increase your storage without taking up more physical space or expending more money on enlarging your infrastructure.

These are just five of the many ways cloud storage can help your business thrive. As you can see, the many benefits it provides outweigh any possible downsides. If your dream is crafting an up-to-date business that stays ahead of the competition, cloud storage is one of the tools you can use to realize that goal.

WheelHouse Solutions provides fully managed IT infrastructure and applications, in cloud-enabled environments. By utilizing our managed cloud services, businesses can enjoy best of class service, rapidly provisioned hardware, middleware and outstanding support to meet their IT demands.

WheelHouse solutions also offer cloud hosting services, as well as a team of cloud service specialists to help our customers effectively manage their IT infrastructure.  Call us at 314-492-2506 to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff.