Removable Storage Media vs. E-Vaulting
Offsite data backup (vaulting) is a way to protect your data by sending copies of your information elsewhere. In the event of any disaster or catastrophe, system crash, or accidental error, your information will be safe and easily retrievable for restore. There are several ways to save and send away your data, such as with removable storage media (magnetic tapes, removable disks) and with the use of an Internet connection (e-vaulting).
The choice of the method to save and relocate the copies of your data will depend on the type or your data, your technical knowledge, as well as the time and the money that you are willing to spend for your backups.
Removable Storage Media
If you decide to start backing up your information with the use of any removable media, you will need to schedule and perform your backups. You will need to connect your computer and the media, perform a backup, and then transport the media to a safe place. Your costs in this case will consist of the price of the media and the software (if any) that you choose to use.
E-Vaulting
E-vaulting offers a much more convenient type of backup process. After the initial setup, your backups will be automatically performed at set times, when you have an Internet connection. It means that you will not have to deal with removable media, schedule and perform regular updates, or store your disks (tapes) with information. The service will take care of all that, and store your information on their secure remote servers. The disadvantage of this solution is that you will have to pay monthly or other regular fees, which may be too expensive for some people.
Offsite data backup is probably the only way to ensure that your information is protected from all sorts of hazards. Decide which kind of offsite data storage is more convenient, and protect yourself from any data loss.
