Cloud backup, also known as cloud computer backup or online backup, is a strategy for backing up data, which involves data transfer over a public network or proprietary to an off-site server. Server is mainly hosted by a third-party service provider that charges the backup customer a fee based on bandwidth, capacity, or number of users.
Cloud backup data is stored as a form of cloud storage and accessible from several connected and distributed resources. Every year, several companies are moving their business over to a cloud ecosystem.
Over the last decade, cloud backup, restore and recovery options have emerged as a cost-effective, reliable and secure process for safeguarding the increasing amounts of corporate information that is being generated every day. But switching to a cloud-based backup system is an important decision that requires a clear perceptive of how such a solution will incorporate into organizations’ business model.
Cost of cloud data backup
Third-party cloud backup has gained popularity with SMBs and home users because of its convenience. The technology has an early upfront cost to implement, but its lower yearly or monthly payment plans appeal to numerous smaller operations. Capitals spending for additional hardware are not required, and backups can be vital for better results. On the other hand, the price of keeping data in the cloud increases over the period of time. Additionally, cost increases with the amount of data to be backed up to the cloud increases.
In the enterprise, cloud data backup services are mainly used for noncritical data. Traditional backup is an improved offering for critical data that need a (RTO) short recovery time due to their physical restrictions as to how much data can be moved in a specified amount of time over a network. When a huge amount of data needs to be recovered, it may require to be shipped on some other portable storage media or tape.
Cloud backup vs. tape and disk
Cloud backup offer unlimited capacity as compared to tape backup. The cost is depending on how much storage an organization needs. While cloud backup s not sequential like tape, it restores data on time and tape backup dependent on the appropriate amount of bandwidth and depend on internet. They are more flexible as compared to tape backup.
Disk-based backup can be costly, often expensive than cloud or tape. The lifespan of disk backup is shorter than cloud and tape backup and its durability is weaker than cloud and tape. As long as the service provider is still in business, the lifespan of a cloud backup could be longer than that of disk or tape.
Future prospective: A key trend that influences the development of cloud backup industry comprises cloud backup for virtual machine (VM) environment. Enterprises are now determined to adopt to virtualization in the upcoming years to offer key benefits of virtualization. In addition, increase in acceptance of mobile devices and ease of access for consumers will drive the market in the future.