Backing Up Files and Folders
Backups
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Backups are very important for data security. It is a good practice to make a backup of important computer files at least twice a year. Older backups can be deleted as time passes when new ones are created. Backups should be stored on a separate drive than the original storage place of the backed up files. An external backup drive that is kept away from the computer or laptop is a good backup storage space. As long as the external drive is stored in a different location, this is true. For example, if a computer is where the desk is in an office or room, the backup drive should be kept for storage on the opposite side of the room if backups are not scheduled to automatically be made. Scheduled backups are best to be made to remote servers via the Internet (to the cloud in other words).
Backups to Backup Drives
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Backups to backup drives within the same area as the computer are local backups. Portable or stationary drives can be utilized. Backups to backup drives that are external to the computer or laptop are most often connected through a USB cable. Portable backup drives have a USB cable with them when purchased. Stationary backup drives may not come with their own cable for greater lengths of distances from the drive and the computer unit. For greater lengths of cables, users may need to purchase their own cable based on the backup drive’s specifications for connector port slot(s). External Hard Drives can be installed to have separate power supply of its own, too. For such drives, a power cord may be required for providing power supply. When choosing a backup drive to use for backing up files, the type of drive is important to consider. There are a number of drive types to consider choosing. They include a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD) and a Tape Drive. For Desktop computers and laptops, SSD backup drives are the most common drives used for backup purposes.
Backups to the Cloud
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Backups to the cloud are made to backup servers which can be accessed for data transfer via the Internet. Cloud backup servers are remote to where the backed up files are from. Therefore, they provide more secure backup storage than on-site backup storage. Businesses generally opt for cloud backups. This is due to the increased reliability for disaster recovery. Suppose if the location of the files to be backed up is impacted by a natural disaster or crime and incurs physical damage which compromises computer systems and other equipment, the backed up files can be recovered from the remote backup server. For this reason, cloud backups are more secure than on-site backups. Cloud backup services do have a small cost incurred upon those utilizing the given service.
