Cheap Data Backup Solutions: 6 Ways They Fail Your Business

If you opt for cheap data backup solutions, you're putting your data in jeopardy. Why?

Keep reading and you'll find out.

Also, you'll learn the various reasons why cheap data backup solutions can lead to vulnerabilities in your data handling. Moreover, you'll discover the hidden costs behind trying to save money by using inexpensive solutions.

1. Cannot Withstand Cyber Threats

Opting for a low-cost provider exposes your data to more vulnerabilities. That's why you'll want to opt for a service provider that provides features like top-notch encryption, among other tools to protect your data.

Moreover, ensure you also invest in in-house data backup methods to combine with cloud services. That way, you can prepare your business for almost any scenario.

2. Bandwidth Will Cost You a Lot

Usually, when selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP), the company doesn't advertise its upload speed, which is the speed that you'll use to move your files into a backup.

Instead, they mostly promote their download speeds. Why is this? Because higher upload speeds cost more, which wouldn't look good for their advertising.

Even small-to-medium-sized businesses require at least a few terabytes (TB) of data to transfer their backup. For comparison, if your ISP gives you 10 Mbps in upload speeds, uploading your file would take at least ten days. That's not ideal.

Moreover, let's say you need to restore that data in the event of a disaster, then you will need to pay additional costs.

3. Insecure Storage Technology

Cheaper backup solutions usually use insecure physical storage methods like tape drives. These types of drives are prone to various failures and vulnerabilities. Moreover, many of these companies often store your data in one spot, which means you lose anything in the event of a disaster occurring in their facilities.

4. File Sync Is Not What You Think

Many platforms that provide data backup solutions don't truly back up your data. They'll synchronize your files on a different platform instead. File synchronization means they replicate your files in separate physical space.

This will lead to failed backups.

However, if you were to go with a higher-quality backup service, they'll instead store snapshot images of your file system. That way, you can go back to when you had that file and restore it without any issues.

5. Data Restoration Issues

The most important factor to consider when backing up data is knowing how to restore it in the event of a catastrophe. One important area that differentiates cheap from premium software is their ability to test backups.

If the provider doesn't offer this software, what's the point in purchasing their services in the first place?

If you can't restore your data, you won't only damage your brand, but you may find yourself in violation of compliance issues, which can lead to penalties.

While manual restoration could take hours to perform, it offers a myriad of advantages. Moreover, you can make up for the shortcomings of automated restoration testing.

When performing restoration testing, you will want to:

• Test application, data, and operating system integrity
• Scan for viruses before and after restoration
• Restore your backup in an isolated environment
• Build a report based on findings

Cheaper services won't give you these options. However, if you have pricier software that offers automation options, and if you manually perform these tests once in a while, you'll have a more reliable restoration process.

6. Fails To Protect Sensitive Data

If you don't properly back up your data using a low-quality provider, you're putting sensitive information at risk—whether it's personally identifying information, intellectual property, or financial information.

This data leakage will likely result in investors and customers losing confidence in your business's ability to handle data. However, that's not the worst-case scenario. You will also likely suffer from a storm of penalties from data compliance organizations and lawsuits.