Cloud Backup and Offsite Backup Solutions For Your Business

The last thing you want to happen is to lose your data or to have it fall into the wrong hands. Data, whether it’s a sales report or top-secret corporate plans, is one of the most important assets for a business. This is why it is crucial to have a reliable backup system for data protection. Most people use portable hard drives to store their data. However, this in itself is not the best solution, especially if your backup media is physically stored in the same place as the source. To add an extra layer of protection and reduce the risk of data loss and/or reduce single point of failure, many organizations choose to backup their data off-site.

What is Cloud Backup?

Cloud backup involves sending a copy of your data to a remote server via the internet. The server is usually managed by a third-party online backup service provider. It helps to improve a business’ data security at a minimal cost to the organization. It also aids disaster recovery in case of an unforeseen circumstances that can lead to the destruction of data.

Cloud-based data storage has become the convenient solution for organizations and individuals to safely and securely store and protect their data offsite thus reducing the risk of data loss.

Cloud backups can happen in one of three ways:

  1. Direct backup to the public cloud such as Amazon web service
  2. Backup to a service provider data center
  3. Making a copy of cloud-based data to a cloud backup service

Physical storage media are vulnerable to damage, be it was from smoke, fire, water, heat, dust or natural disasters which means that private storage facilities need to have built-in controls to guard against such environmental factors. Physical storage security is really a matter of how secure a business facility is against physical intrusions. With cloud backup, physical risks to data are significantly reduced.

While cloud-based data backup and file hosting services address the different issues and challenges faced by onsite physical backup methods, there are still some risks involved. This is because cloud backup services ultimately rely on physical devices for storage. Cloud backup providers have remote data centers that are just as vulnerable to natural disasters. These service providers can also close down or change their services, putting clients in a difficult position. It is important for organizations to look at alternative and secondary data backup plan tools and solutions.

Offsite Backup

There are several options that are available to organizations looking for offsite data backup, they include the following:

Internet Backup Services

One option is utilizing the services of an internet backup service provider. An internet backup service provider will upload copies of your data onto remote servers. This is done automatically over the internet. These service providers provide software that will automatically back up an entire hard drive to the cloud. They often keep multiple versions in different locations which guards against disasters and total destruction. These services are can be very useful to businesses. There are other backup tools that individuals and small business can use. They include file-sharing services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or iCloud.

Physical Storage Media

Despite the drawbacks, physical storage media are still valuable for data backup. You can improve your data security by using multiple storage devices. These devices can be easily moved around so you don’t have to put them in one physical space.  If you have safety concerns, then you can store your external drive or USB in a safe to keep it secure. Secondary drives or Network-attached storage (NAS) devices can also be installed. NAS devices hold additional drives in your network and will constantly mirror your main hard drive so that if it fails, you still have access to your data through your secondary drive. Popular NAS devices include QNAP, Drobo, and Synology.

Automatic Backups

PCs and Macs come with backup software that you can use to store files in secondary drives or in the cloud. This particular backup solution are a series of backup tools that help to sync your data without requiring your intervention.  Time machine on the Mac allows users to incrementally backup data to an external drive. A similar function is performed by Backup and Restore on Windows. While iCloud helps to sync data to the cloud on both Mac and Windows.

Performing regular backups and storing it offsite is an important security practice not just for large enterprises but also for small businesses. Accidents can happen and you may lose years of acquired data. Remote backup tools offer a lot of desirable features and most importantly, secure storage. Companies that specialize in offsite cloud storage are better equipped to adapt to new technologies and have built-in systems to prevent data loss thus improving data security for businesses. At SDTEK, our secureTEK Backup and Disaster Recovery includes a robust BDR solution which includes onsite and offsite backup. Please contact us today to speak with a team member about your businesses cloud backup and offsite backup needs.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.