The best cloud backup services are remote, not local. Local backups are only useful if your primary data center is in your home or business. If you’re a small business with limited resources and can’t afford to have a data center of your own, then you need to find an offsite location for your backups. Remote cloud backup services not only store copies of your files somewhere else, but they also make it so that you rarely need to access those files again unless something catastrophic happens. They also cost less than you might think; some of these plans will even pay you back over time as an incentive to use their services. It may seem like there are a million different remote cloud backup storage services out there, but most of them fall into one of the following three categories.
Unlimited Storage
The first thing you should always look for in a remote cloud backup service is unlimited storage. If the plan’s storage limit is finite - even if it is in the “unlimited” range - then you’ll eventually hit a wall where it becomes too expensive to keep using the service. It’s better to pay a bit more upfront for a much larger storage capacity, even if it means paying more each month for the service. You can always opt for a cheaper service with less storage once your data grows to a manageable size. You may even be able to use a remote cloud backup service as an easy solution for offsite data storage if your needs are very low. If you just need a place to store a few files that you’re not actively using, then remote cloud providers will let you pay for just a small amount of storage. Just keep in mind that if you need to get those files back, you’ll probably have to pay for an entire data recovery session.
Data Protection and Recovery
Above all else, you need to choose a remote cloud backup provider that can back up your data properly. You may have already used a local backup service or drive backup systems to protect your data, but those are only useful if you have access to that equipment at all times. With remote cloud backup, you’ll have to manually decide which files to upload to the cloud, then manually request that they restore the file(s) if you need them again. Ideally, your remote cloud provider should have software built in that allows you to automatically send your data to their servers. To be safe, look for services that allow you to back up your data in real time and make multiple copies of the data before sending it off to the cloud. You should also look for remote cloud providers that offer data protection options like encryption and two-factor authentication so that your data is locked away safely until you need it. Back-up services that offer data recovery options like file versioning and granular restoration are excellent choices, but they are often reserved for premium services that cost a bit more.
Verified-Era Backup
One of the best ways to ensure that your files are backed up correctly is to use a remote cloud backup service from an era when technology and storage capacity was much lower. For example, if you’re only interested in making sure your data from the 1990s is preserved, then you may opt for a service that was around in that time frame. The problem is that many of these remote cloud backup providers are now out of business, and their data is inaccessible. Some newer services have even gone as far as to create fake remote cloud back-back data from past eras so that you have a convenient place to store your files. However, there are a few remote cloud backup services that have verified data from an acceptable past era. If you need to rely on your data to be accurate and accessible, then you should look for a remote cloud provider with verified data from the appropriate time frame.
Free Remote Cloud Back-Up Services
The world’s oldest trick in the book is to offer something for free. While free remote cloud backup services are almost always limited in one way or another, you’re never guaranteed to find one that doesn’t have some kind of catch. There are a few remote cloud providers that offer free data storage, but you should never use these services as your primary backup solution. The best thing you can do with a free remote cloud backup service is to keep an extra copy of your most important files. You may be able to use a free remote cloud backup service to store your files indefinitely if you don’t mind that they may become inaccessible at any moment. Free remote cloud backup services will always have some kind of limit on the amount of data you can store, the amount of data you can store in a given period, or both. Remote cloud providers that offer free data storage usually require that you view ads or watch videos on their website as a form of payment. These ads can be very annoying, and it’s best not to rely on them for a backup solution. Instead, use a free remote cloud backup service as an extra copy of your most important files.
Paid Remote Cloud Back-Up Services
If you’re looking for a reliable remote cloud backup service with no strings attached, then you’ll have to pay for it. You can certainly find cheaper services that cost a lot less, but you’ll have to lower your expectations when it comes to data protection and recovery. The best remote cloud backup providers offer unlimited storage for a reasonable price, and they’ve been in business for a decent amount of time. Several remote cloud backup providers have been around since the early 2000s - and they are still around today. These services have seen the rise and fall of many different technologies and know how to protect data from all of them. Remote cloud providers with a proven track record and a reasonable price point usually offer data protection features like encryption and two-factor authentication. They may also have a history of partnering with other businesses to protect their clients’ data in case the remote cloud provider experiences an issue. The best remote cloud backup providers are always willing to let you test out their services for free for a short period. These providers will let you upload a few files and try out their software so that you can see how easy it is to upload and retrieve data from their servers.
Conclusion
Choosing the best remote cloud backup storage service can be a daunting task. You can use this guide to help find the best remote cloud backup provider for your needs. There are many different services out there, so it’s important to find one that meets your specific requirements. Be sure to look for providers that offer unlimited storage, data protection features, and verified-era data. The best providers will also let you try out their service for free, so you can make sure it’s right for you.
