Statistics reveal that about 60% of small companies close shop after suffering cyberattacks. Moreover, these attacks range from mild to severe, coming in the form of theft and complete deletion by hackers, especially after ransomware negotiations fail. Fortunately, you can take advantage of different Office 365 backup options on the market to back up your Office 365 data. However, your journey starts by informing yourself and gaining an understanding of various aspects of data backup. To help you out, we composed this simple but informative guide to answer some of the frequent questions users ask.
“So, what kind of data can I back up?”
You can back up any type of data you deem essential to your business operations. You could store any document, spreadsheet, app data, and email you consider worth using in the future. Also, you should store all the data on all of your computers’ hard drives. Additionally, you can back different data formats like videos, pictures, and music.
“How much time do I need to back up my data?”
Well, it isn’t easy to give a specified timeframe that you need to back up all your data. The reason is that the timing depends on the amount of data you want to back up. Also, it depends on the type of data backup you are undertaking. For example, initial backups that transmit data to remote locations take longer. Inversely, additional or incremental backups take a few minutes to complete. Besides, the length of time for backing up your data to an online site depends on your Internet connection speed. Other factors that influence time are your PC’s memory and processing speed, network traffic volume, and OS.
“How secure are data stored on a vendor’s remote site?”
All reputable vendors compress and encrypt all data before and during their transmission. Thus, no unauthorized user can access your data because they cannot pass the strict verification processes.
“What is the ideal backup frequency?”
The more frequently you back up your information, the better and safer it’s for you. For instance, you should have a daily, weekly, and monthly backup schedule to ensure you lose no data in between.
“Are cloud and online backups synonymous?”
Yes, these two terms refer to the same thing. Thus, separating them is like trying to split hairs.
“Do online backup solutions limit the size or type of files I can store?”
They don’t limit the individual size of the files you want to store. You only need to remain within the overall amount of data you subscribed to in your respective package. Moreover, these services don’t pose any limitations on the kind of files you can store to your account.
“Can one online backup plan back up my different devices?”
Yes, you can. All plans from reputable providers allow you to back up your data and access them on different devices. For instance, you can access the information on laptops, desktops, smartphones, and tablets. However, the number of authorized devices depends on the package you signed up for. Different plans can support from one to 20 devices.
“How do I pay for my backup plans—weekly, monthly, or annually?”
Payment for your backup plans varies depending on your type of plan. For instance, some subscriptions require monthly payments, while others bill you annually. If you are a smart money saver, it’s economical to go for these plans. They can run for one, two, or three years, giving you huge discounts and long-term savings. So, check out the cost of each plan before choosing the suitable one for your needs.
“Can I access live support if I run into trouble with my plan?”
Yes, all responsible suppliers offer live customer support. You can get support via live chats and email. If you need urgent help, you can also call the vendor and get direct personal support from a technician.
There you get answers to all your questions. We hope they have enlightened and will assist you in making the right decision.
