CompTech WV, LLC

     Backing up your data is more important now, than ever. The more important pictures, data and memories you store, the more you need a reliable and effective backup solution. Even the best hard drives can fail, which is why mission critical systems include multiple redundant hard drives. Basic computer systems (laptop or desktop) usually do not have any redundant feature in use, but some have it available. The server this website is ran off of, has more than 5 hard drives. If one goes out, they will pop a new one in, and in a few hours it will rebuild itself just like the one that failed. And nobody even knew about it.....

For the majority of us, we can just go out and buy basic hard drives, that contain basic backup software. They work fine, and get the job done. But their software usually lack advanced features and the flexibility of security and portability. Do not forget, when you back your data up on a portable hard drive, just about anyone can access the data on them, regardless if you have password protection on the files themselves. Brute force hacking can easily crack into basic password protection on ZIPs, XLS or PDF files in a matter of minutes or hours. To keep things really secure, the drive should include some sort of file system encryption software, that encrypts everything on it.

I favor a Continuous Data Protection backup type the best, that will allow file version's. That means you will have 2 or more of the same file, in a time-line type organization. This will protect from corruptions and for the "Picture Editor" type person that just made a big mistake by editing their original photo and saving accidentally. No sweat, open your file recover wizard and restore the file from last week. Trust me, I have done that and wish I knew then, what I know now. You can only give great advice, from great mistakes.

So, you may not be really worried about security of your data, just whether or not it gets backed up. But, do yourself a favor and take the backup off-site. What is the point having a backup that goes up with the building that houses the data you are protecting? NONE. A backup is to get you "Back Up and Running", don't let your backup "Back You Up" in a corner.

A cumulative backup of all changes made since the last full or normal backup, i.e., the differences since the last full backup. The advantage to this is the quicker recovery time, requiring only a full backup and the last differential backup to restore the system. The disadvantage is that for each day elapsed since the last full backup, more data needs to be backed up, especially if a significant proportion of the data has been changed.  

A remote, online, or managed backup service is a service that provides users with a system for backing up and storing computer files. Online backup providers are companies that provide this type of service.

Online backup systems are typically built around a client software program that runs on a schedule, typically once a day. This program collects, compresses, encrypts, and transfers the data to the remote backup service provider's servers. Other types of product are also available in the market, such as remote continuous data protection (CDP).

Providers of this type of service frequently target specific market segments. High-end LAN-based backup systems may offer services such as near-realtime transaction-level replication or open file backups. Consumer online backup companies frequently have beta software offerings and/or free-trial backup services.  

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