When we want to back up our business data, the first thing that some people think of is a external disk.
We are talking about a hard disk which we can usually connect to our computer via a USB port and which can have a large capacity in terabytes.
Apparently it is a good option to make backups, but it presents several drawbacks.
Drawbacks when creating a backup to an external hard drive.
Backing up is always a good thing. But not all are equally secure, nor do they cover the same risks.
What are the drawbacks of backing up to an external drive?
1. You must have it connected to your computer
The first problem we encountered with this method of backing up is that, in order to back up, it must be connected to your computer.
There are also external hard drives with Wifi, so you need a cable to connect from any computer on the network.
But still the hard drive must be in the coverage range of your Wifi network. That is, you must have it in your company.
2. There could be a fire
When your backups are in the same physical location as the data you want to store, both can be at the same physical risk.
For example, a fire could burn your computer, but also your hard drive. Or if a flood occurs and your premises fills up with water, you still run the same risk of data loss.
3. You can get a virus
If your computers fall victim to a virus, and your external hard drive is connected (via Wifi or cable), the data contained on it may also be affected.
This is quite logical: the fate of your computer data is linked to backups, since you depend on a connection for backups.
4. You need a network
What data do you want to back up? If you have a single external hard drive, you will need to have the computers networked so that you can automate backups conveniently.
Since nowadays you often work remotely, from home, with laptops, tablets or mobiles, you should also have a VPN if you want that data to be backed up.
5. Space is limited
Yes, this can also be a problem. The scalability of an external hard drive. When the space has run out, it’s over. You have to buy another external hard drive with more capacity. In the end, external hard drives pile up, and finding information becomes more complicated.
6. Physical disks can break
That’s right. All those external hard drives you accumulate can break down over time. Especially if you don’t take good care of them.
A broken connection doesn’t mean you’ll lose all the data inside. But it can become an inconvenience that wastes your time.
In short, at a professional level, we believe that having an external drive to back up your business involves many limitations. Opting for the cloud has many more advantages.
Advantages of backup in the cloud vs. external disk
Cloud backup has several advantages over external disk.
First of all, your data is stored in the cloud, not on a specific physical device. They are not on a single server either, but spread across different servers and only come together when we go to consult or download them.
Therefore, our data in the cloud are safe from accidents such as fires or floods. Nor does it break down because to disappear completely, many servers would have to break down at the same time.
Data center servers, on the other hand, meet security measures far superior to those that can have any company working with a system as rudimentary as external disks.
The best thing about cloud copies is that they are in a different location from where the data is generated. Therefore, it gives you a much higher degree of protection, because the information is not localized.
Another benefit of the cloud is its high scalability. You do not need to purchase new external devices, but simply upgrade to a plan that offers you more storage resources. Data is stored in an automated way and you can schedule your backup as you wish.
From this approach, we invite your company to take advantage of the cloud and enjoy its benefits. Do you still have questions about the advantages of an online backup? Write to us.