When it comes to cybersecurity for your small business, protecting your data through backups is absolutely crucial. But with an already tight budget, you may wonder if it’s really the most cost-effective option for your organization.
The answer is an absolute yes, and today’s post will walk you through why. We’ll cover the basics of cloud backup solutions for your small business, including what they are, how you can make the most of your cloud services, and, most importantly, why they’re worth the investment.
What Is the Cloud?
The cloud is a network of servers that store data remotely, allowing you to manage files and applications through the Internet instead of relying on physical computers or on-site servers. This means you don’t have to worry about maintaining bulky hardware or losing data when it fails, making the cloud a flexible and reliable solution for businesses of all sizes and industries.
Cloud vs. Traditional Backups: Key Features
Traditional and cloud backup solutions for small businesses are options to check out, so let’s take a second to outline the key differences.
Traditional backups involve copying data onto some form of on-site hardware. This is usually on a disk-based drive like an HDD, but SMBs often back up data on a thumb drive or other external device. On the other hand, Cloud backups involve copying data onto an off-site external server that’s managed by a cloud service like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google.
Cloud backups have become increasingly popular because they are easy to automate, minimizing the risk of missing backups and losing data during an outage or cyber attack. They are also incredibly scalable and flexible. As businesses expand, reorganize data, or shift priorities, their cloud solutions can easily adapt to them with minimal transition and hassle.
Breaking Down the Costs
Now to the question we know you’re still asking: Are cloud backup solutions for my small business worth the expense? Let’s break it down.
Cloud data management includes both the cost of your subscription to the platform and the consulting fee from your IT company. Both of these figures can vary depending on the number of employees you have, how many GB of storage you need per month, and what tiers of storage you use, but most sources estimate all of these services to total around $9,000–$10,000 a month.
These expenditures might feel overwhelming at first, but let’s take a look at the flip side: The estimated cost of a data breach for SMBs is between $2.63 and $2.98 million. This huge expense includes lost sales, recovery and repair costs, compensation for clients and employees, legal and compliance fees, overhead, and so much more.
To put it into perspective, if you pay $10,000 a month for cloud storage and computing, it will take 25 years for these costs to add up to $3 million—a sum you could lose in a matter of weeks if you suffer a data breach without any backups or protection.
By making these comparably small investments now, you can both safeguard your data and avoid this immense financial burden in the future.
Optimizing Your Cloud Backup: Tips and Tricks
If the numbers above scare you, here are a few quick tips for making cloud backup solutions for your small business efficient and cost-effective:
Streamline Your Backup Schedule
Developing a clear and structured backup schedule ensures that critical data is consistently saved without redundancy, limiting storage costs and improving efficiency.
Organize Data into Tiered Storage
Tiered storage allows you to classify data by priority and usage frequency, storing the data that you use most often on a faster, more expensive tier and putting seldom-used information on slower, less expensive tiers. This reduces costs and ensures your most important data is readily available.
Choose the Right Provider and Consultant
Every cloud platform is a little different, with unique features and tools that you may or may not need for your business. A professional cloud consultant like AIS can offer tailored solutions, including helping you choose the right provider and most cost-effective subscription.
Choose High Value, Choose AIS
When you partner with AIS for cloud backup solutions for your small business, you can expect results worth every penny of your investment. Optimizing systems and providing enterprise-level security for SMBs is our specialty—you can rest easy knowing your data is safe, organized, and secure with our personalized solutions.
Send us a message to learn more and discuss cloud options for your business.