Q: What if we already have a tape backup system?

Using a tape backup system and a remote backup system offers the best of both worlds. Ideally you should continue using your tape backup system and let The Data Store's remote backup solution provide your automated off-site layer of data redundancy.

Q: What if we already have a DVD burner ?

Frankly, we believe that using any type of removable media is not optimal for most users.  Too many things can and do go wrong, plus this requires you to remember to replace the DVD media daily, as well as 'remember' to perform the backup. Our remote backup service is completely automated and has the required file redundancy to protect important data.

Q: How long will a remote backup take?

Typically our technicians will perform the initial backup on-site in your home or office.  In some instances we may return the following day to pick up our equipment which is then returned to our data center where your encrypted data is uploaded to our servers.  Subsequent backups begin immediately and continue daily.

Q: Onsite, Offsite - What's The Difference?

Basically, remote backups work like regular tape backups, with one important difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape drive or other media attached to the computer being backed up, a remote backup sends encrypted file data over the internet to a computer file storage system safely off-site.

This usually happens at night while your business is closed and nobody is using the computers. It's completely automatic. In fact, you may forget it's working every night, but we wont.  We monitor your computers remote backups daily to ensure maximum protection. 

Q: Why Are Remote Backups Considered More Beneficial?

The main goal is data redundancy.  If you are like most others, Murphy's Law applies.  If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.  For this reason, we can't encourage our clients to have at least 3 layers of data redundancy.  So if you burn DVDs or have a tape drive, you are part way there.  The final layer in data redundancy is to have an off-site solution.  Using The Data Store for your off site backup is 100% automated, all you need to do is leave your computer on.  No human error.

Q: How Secure Are Remote Backups?

Very. All files are encrypted using Blowfish or DES encryption which is configured during installation and provides you with your own personal encryption code which is only known by the user of the system. Blowfish encryption has never been broken by a hacker and is the same technology that banks and financial institutions utilize.

Q: What is encryption?

Encryption is basically a mathematical formula that scrambles a data file. And the only way to unscramble it is with the encryption code.