Backup As A Service

What is Backup as a Service?

Backup as a Service, also referred to as BaaS, is a method of backing up data storage through an online cloud service provider. This will be done through either a private, public, or hybrid cloud system.

The purpose of BaaS is to protect the client’s data and information from technical errors, hacking, damage to the onsite systems, and other potential technological issues.

This type of service also makes data protection and recovery simpler by means of transferring the responsibility of data maintenance and management to the cloud service provider.

Why Companies Need Backup as a Service

Modern business has increasingly turned towards the use of computer systems, and every business likely has network data in need of protection. A company’s financial and informational security is reliant upon a trustworthy data backing system.

However, backing up a company’s data onsite can be costly and requires many resources. By using BaaS, your company can benefit from:

• Affordable service that covers the cost of all required equipment
• Convenience of automation of information saving processes
• Security from hacking, malware, or other technological disturbances that may damage company data
• Protection from natural disasters that may result in the company having to rebuild its onsite systems
• Easy recovery of lost data thanks to secure storage in the cloud service

A 2019 report from Cyber Crime Magazine states that 60 percent of small companies go out of business within six months of a data breach. Thus, it is crucial for companies to back-up their data with a system they trust to be safe and secure.

Backup as a Service vs. Alternatives

There are, of course, alternatives to BaaS that come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding your options when it comes to data storage and backing is crucial to choosing a method that best fits your needs.

USB or External Hard Drive Storage – This method uses physical hardware, such as USB devices and external hard drives, to store back-up data. 

• Pros: Portable, easy to use and transfer data, and inexpensive
• Cons: Potential to be lost or stolen, and data loss is fairly high risk in the event of power surges and malware 

Network Attached Storage – Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices are connected to a specific business network and allows for multiple authorized users to backup and retrieve data and information from a centralized location. 

• Pros: Multiple computers and devices can connect to the device, and onsite set-up gives company complete control
• Cons: Can be difficult to set-up and maintain, high in cost, and at risk of major data loss or corruption in the event of a natural disaster

Tapes and Offsite Storage – Copying data to tapes and physically transferring these tapes to a secure, offsite location is the traditional method of data storage and backing. 

• Pros: Can store large amounts of data on a single tape
• Cons: Highly time-consuming and offers limited recovery options

Compared to BaaS, many of the alternatives simply do not offer the same affordability, safety, or efficiency that a cloud service provider can offer. 

How Backup as a Service Works

Backup as a Service works through cloud computing technology and is operated by a cloud service provider. 

For those unfamiliar, cloud computing provides servers, softwares, and databases that can be accessed over the internet and are managed and operated by third-party providers rather than the users themselves.

Once your chosen service is purchase, you select what data to backup. For instance, you can choose to backup all data within Microsoft Office 365, and then the service provider will begin automatically storing this data to the cloud. 

This data can then be accessed by any authorized user from a device with an internet connection. 

Backup as a Service Technologies

• Amazon AWS
• Microsoft Azure
• Salesforce
• Oracle

Is Backup as a Service Right for Your Company?

BaaS is best suited for small to medium sized businesses that are experiencing or expect to experience quick data growth, as pricing is generally per gigabyte of storage.

Companies looking for an affordable data storage solution that can also scale with growth should absolutely look to BaaS as an effective solution.

Not only can it be an efficient means of data storage and protection, but it can cut down on IT costs and offer flexibility according to your company’s growing data needs.