Data Backup.com

off-site backup

By Paul Kirvan

What is off-site backup?

Off-site backup is a method of backing up data to a remote server or to media that's transported off-site. The two most common forms of off-site backup are cloud backup and tape backup. During cloud backup, also referred to as online backup, a copy of the data is sent over a network to an off-site server. A third-party cloud service provider (CSP) typically hosts that server, but an enterprise can also own it.

Early off-site backup solutions used magnetic tape and hard disk drives (HDDs) for storage. In the former, magnetic tape was spooled onto different-sized tape reels. As a reel reached capacity, the operating system (OS) added various codes regarding the content contained on the tape. Once the tape was dismounted from the drive, another tape -- either blank or with data already present -- was mounted, and the drive resynchronized with the OS. Multiple drives were needed as data storage needs increased.

Early HDDs had multiple rotating platters, with each platter providing storage for important data; to move that data off-site, the platter(s) could be removed and placed into a secure carrying container. As rotating platters evolved into faster, fixed hard drives with vastly greater capacity, the storage media was less likely to be removed, so tape was most often used for off-site storage.

These early off-site storage techniques are still used, but the storage technology is significantly more powerful. Tape cartridges are now the norm, with capacities far beyond reel-to-reel magnetic tapes. HDD and solid-state drive technology today significantly boosts storage capacities.

How does off-site backup work?

The main goal of off-site data backup is to ensure data recovery and redundancy, similar to local on-site device or server backups but on a larger scale.

There are a variety of methods for creating off-site backups, each with its pros and cons:

The traditional 3-2-1 rule of backup states that an organization should have three copies of data on two different media with one copy of the media placed off-site. Off-site backup is important in the event of a disaster, malware, ransomware attack or other incident at the main data center. When such an incident occurs, an organization can recover by retrieving the backed-up data from the cloud or tape cartridges. Although local storage offers quicker access, off-site backup serves as a critical safety net.

The cloud is a prime target for SMBs to back up data in an easier, more cost-effective way. An SMB might also use an external HDD for its off-site backup. Although it's easier to back up data to an HDD, it's not as portable or durable as tape. Tape is typically favored by enterprises and industries such as media, entertainment and life sciences, which must store large amounts of data. In addition, while SMBs may have fewer resources than enterprises to move tapes off-site, with today's work-at-home business environment, remote work sites can now serve as off-site storage repositories.

Keys to implementing off-site backup

Off-site backup deployment ensures business continuity, DR, data security and uninterrupted operations in the event of outages and natural disasters.

Organizations should keep the following critical backup strategy tips in mind when implementing off-site backup:

It's worth noting that the charges mentioned above aren't unique to Amazon. Although the rates vary from one cloud provider to the next, most cloud providers charge similar prices.

The importance of off-site backup

On-site backup doesn't provide adequate recovery in all scenarios. For example, a natural disaster that destroys a primary data center would likely also destroy the on-site backup. Similarly, a ransomware attack that spreads across a network might render local backups useless. Ransomware threat actors are increasingly targeting backups to force their victims to pay a ransom. In those cases, off-site backup becomes critical to an organization's recovery plan. However, in the case of a ransomware infection, the business must verify that the backup data is clean. Establishing an air gap between the off-site data and any systems and networks that could access the data is also important.

Backup software vendors are also increasingly integrating immutable backup capabilities into their software as a way of protecting against ransomware. Immutability ensures a ransomware attack isn't able to encrypt the data stored within the on-site backup. Off-site tape backups are the most secure retrieval option following a ransomware attack because they are offline and, therefore, are not likely to be infected. Some organizations also write backup copies to an external drive rather than using tape; external drives can be detached and stored similarly to tape.

There are also differences in the durability of the various backup mediums. Tape is more durable than disk and generally lasts longer than disk-based backups as long as the tape is properly stored. The cloud can last the longest of the three, as long as the service provider remains in business and doesn't suffer an outage during the recovery time.

Common features of off-site cloud backup

There are many cloud backup providers in the market. Feature sets vary, so it's important to carefully analyze products, set up a comprehensive SLA and understand the cost structure.

Features that are commonly offered include the following:

Advantages and disadvantages of off-site backup

Both on-site and off-site backup provide peace of mind in terms of data security and reduction of system downtime, but neither option is perfect. The following are some pros and cons of on-site and off-site backup:

What is hybrid backup?

A hybrid backup approach seeks to capitalize on the advantages of both options, while maximizing data security and reducing risks. It works by creating an on-site backup and then replicating the backup to one or more off-site locations.

One of the most common ways of creating a hybrid backup is to use a disk-to-disk-to-cloud architecture. In this approach, backup data is written to an on-premises backup appliance or network attached storage (NAS). The appliance or NAS device not only stores the backup data for fast retrieval in an emergency, but also acts as a cloud storage gateway and handles the task of replicating backup data to the cloud.

Hybrid arrangements introduce multiple components for an off-site storage and backup arrangement. On-site physical systems may require floor space or rack space, plus power, cooling and security. When considering hybrid backup cost, evaluate scalability, data transfer and retrieval speeds, and space and infrastructure requirements.

Off-site backup providers

There are numerous vendors that act as off-site backup providers. Backup storage services generally fall into one of three categories:

  1. Hyperscalers. These are the large, general-purpose public cloud providers, such as AWS, Google and Microsoft. They provide cloud-based backup storage but offer many other storage and computing services as well.
  2. Traditional backup vendors. These vendors host their own private cloud environments that are solely dedicated to the task of accommodating backup data. Examples of traditional backup vendors include Dell EMC, Commvault, Veeam and Veritas.
  3. Removable media. The third category of off-site backup providers includes those that are dedicated to securely storing removable media, such as backup tapes and disks. These providers transport the media to and from a secure backup facility and ensure the tapes and disks are stored under the proper conditions, while also guaranteeing data security.

Besides the hyperscale providers mentioned above, the following are examples of off-site backup vendors and services:

While the cloud backup market is flourishing, traditional backup providers still present valuable options for businesses. Evaluate the pros and cons of each backup approach to determine the best fit for your needs. Also, check out tips for remote backup systems to strengthen your defense.

19 Mar 2024

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