As businesses are required by law to keep data for specific periods of time and as businesses realise the need for effective offsite data storage options, clarification of the difference between data storage and backup can be helpful. Although the terms ’storage’ and ‘backup’ are sometimes used interchangeably, they do not always mean the same thing.

What is Storage or Archiving?

Data storage (archiving) involves moving data that is no longer used to a separate storage repository where it can be kept long term. Businesses who invest in data storage will typically organise for the storage of older but still important information and data retained for regulatory compliance.

Offsite data storage is designed to provide access to years of information held by a business. Data storage of this nature is also intended to allow quick and efficient access to information sought and this is often achieved through the use of indexes.

Data authenticity and media longevity are two of the most critical concerns of offsite data storage. The type of storage media used needs to be reliable and designed for a long life in an effort to circumvent frequent data migration over periods of many years.

Corporate and government regulations on data authenticity exist to ensure that data is safe from modification. The archive system used needs to be able to protect and store information in this way for many years.

What is Backup?

The term ‘backing up’ is the process of copying files from a computer or system onto a media source that can be removed and separately stored. Backing up can also relate to the copying of program files, operating systems and applications so that if they are lost, rebuilding files and systems or having to download them again is not required.

It is important that backed up data is stored separately from the computer so that it is protected in the event of disaster. Disaster can include events such as: accidental error, viruses, equipment breakdown and even catastrophes such as flood and fire.

Some businesses express uncertainty as to what information needs to be backed up. The simple rule to follow is that anything that you could not stand to lose or would be lost without should be backed up. This not only include files and records, but also email address books, calendars, bookmarks, photographs and downloaded software and music.

Traditionally, backup applications capture images of active data at various points of time and thereby provide a way of recovering data and records that may have been deleted or destroyed. As more recent snapshots of data are collected, these newer versions supersede previous versions.

An offsite backup service can be thought of as short term insurance and an important component of a data recovery strategy.

One of the most important features of a quality backup system is high performance. As quite an extensive range of data (large data sets) is often involved, rapid exchange of information to and from the backup storage site is extremely important. Less important to most businesses is fast access to smaller collections of information during restore operations.

Magnetic tapes are most often used for backup purposes owing to the advantages they offer in terms of performance and cost effectiveness. It can be safely assumed that minimising the costs of backing up data is of course important to almost all businesses.

What is the difference?

In a nutshell, the difference between offsite data backup and storage can be explained in this way. Backup applications protect data that is recent and frequently changing, perhaps on a daily basis while storage offers secure protection and maintenance of information that needs to be kept in its original or existing form.

Data backups are effective in restoring data in the event that a system malfunctions or is destroyed while offsite data storage protects information that is not regularly but occasionally accessed.

The importance of data storage and backup should not be underestimated for any business. The stress and hardship caused by lost or corrupted information is incredible and something that no business owner or manager wishes to deal with. Fortunately, offsite backup services and storage options are available and represent a wise investment for all business types.

By the way, do you want to learn more about Computers and Technology? If so, I suggest you check Offsite Backup Service and Offsite Data Storage.