Data backup is something most people know they “should” do. However, we frequently get panicked calls from people who’ve neglected to properly back up their data. Unfortunately, even if we can salvage data from a broken or corrupted hard drive, the process can be time-consuming and expensive. And sadly, sometimes the data cannot be retrieved at all.
Before the days of digital, the main threats to information, personal records and priceless family photos were fires or floods. Now, a trip on the stairs can send your laptop flying and your data into oblivion.
Synergy Networks provides cloud and local data backup services that run automatically, so you can trust that you’re protected no matter what happens.
Why You Need Data Backup
“I thought it wouldn’t happen to me.” We hear it all the time from clients who come to us with a corrupted hard drive. It can happen to you. We’re in the business of providing professional PC support to businesses and individuals, and it even happens to us from time to time!
Here are just a few of the common reasons you need data backup.
- Computer crashes always happen when you least expect them.
- Virus Infection is a common cause of data loss. Aggressive, malicious viruses can corrupt files and disable computers.
- Hard drive failure is something to be aware of because hard drives have a finite lifetime and can fail suddenly and without warning.
- Physical computer damage has become more common because we now tote our computers wherever we go. Your files are more at risk if you use a laptop.
- Theft is always a risk, since computers are sought after by thieves and cannot always be kept secure while you’re traveling, even across town.
Cloud Backup Versus Local Backup
We’re huge fans of redundancy when it comes to data backup. We provide for both local and cloud backup, so you’re covered no matter what.
Many computer users locally backup their files to an external hard drive or flash drive, which is a good first step. However, if you experience fire, flood, theft or power surge, this will not protect your information. Saving data to a separate location is necessary for better protection. This can be easily done if you have an external hard drive.
Local or physical backup is only as secure as the device you’re backing up to. When saving files on a physical device, your backup device needs to be kept in a different location than your computer. In addition, despite your best intentions, you may forget to copy your files as often as you should, leaving a large amount of recent work unprotected.
Cloud (online) backup is an important part of your backup strategy.
Files stored online are safe from damage to your physical location. If catastrophic weather or fire damages your PC and local backup here in Wisconsin, cloud backup ensures there’s another copy of your data in a totally different location or even a different state. In that case, you will still have remote access to your information from any computer with internet access. We can quickly and easily restore your files and photos to your computer from a secure online server.
Your Data Backup Options: DIY or Trust the Experts
The only thing more heartbreaking than trying to retrieve lost data for a client who didn’t have the proper data backup services in place is trying to help a client who had a backup application, but didn’t regularly run backups or maintain them properly.
You certainly can back up your data yourself. Some backup services are even free. But data backup is only as good as your ability to configure settings properly and run the backups regularly. It’s also risky to download unknown software without the expertise to know what software packages can be trusted, and which might actually pose risks for you, your privacy or your data.
More business owners and individuals are entrusting their data backup management to Synergy Networks, so that they can “set it and forget it” and know that we’ve got them covered. While a local backup not managed by us can be scheduled to run on its own and even monitored by you to make sure it’s running, our backup means we keep an eye on backups and notify you when we see it’s not happening as expected.
A client said to us recently, “I’m no computer expert. I just want it to work, and I don’t want any surprises. It’s well worth the $14/month to me to know my computer and my data’s in good hands with professionals.”
The bottom line is that if you value what’s on your computer, you’re wise to take steps to protect your information from sudden loss. Work can be redone, but the loss of cherished files like family photos and personal records is permanent.
Learn more about Watchdog Systems Monitoring Services from Synergy Networks. Our Premium Watchdog Package includes data backup up to 20G. Or call us if we can answer questions for you.