Remote backup service
Remote Backup (sometimes also referred to as 'Online Backup") is a service that provides users with an online system for backing up and storing computer files. Remote Backup Service providers are companies that provide a software program and space on a server that their client's data is stored on. The software program will run on a client’s computer and (typically) once a day; compress, encrypt and then send the client's data to the Online Backup Service providers servers to be stored.
Features of Remote Backup
Remote Backup has many advantages that traditional backup methods do not.
- Remote backup is a completely automatic backup method. Whereas with traditional methods of backup (i.e. tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc.) users must change discs, rotate tapes or label CDs, remote backup does not require any user intervention.
- Remote backup maintains data offsite. Perhaps the most important aspect of backing up is that backups are stored in a different location from the original data. With traditional backup methods, backup tapes, CDs, DVDs, etc must be manually taken offsite. This often does not occur (especially in a small business or home environment). Very often backup media is left next to the computer where the data originated leaving the "backup" useless in the case of fire, flood, theft or other natural disaster. Remote backup is a method of automatically moving data to an offsite location usually hundreds of miles away without user intervention.