10 Best Practices for Off-Site Data Storage Solutions for Enterprises

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view of an off-site data storage data center in the cloud

Off-site data storage is a common practice for many businesses that need efficient data management for sensitive information. These are physical spaces away from an organization’s primary locations that focus on various data operations, such as data recovery, transfers, and more. Businesses use these facilities to store and process large volumes of data, as these centers are equipped with an efficient infrastructure that handles all forms of data without disruptions.

Because these are physical spaces, disaster planning is crucial to combat risks and vulnerabilities that could lead to data loss. Physical data sites are prone to damage from infrastructure attacks, vulnerable networks, power fluctuations, and more. Because all the data is stored in a single location, businesses have to be prepared to handle different disasters if they arise. Following a few efficient practices will help enterprises ensure that their off-site data storage remains secure and functional against various threats. Here’s a look at a few such measures for off-site data storage.

Did You Know?

The IDC predicts that by 2025, the amount of global data will increase to 175 Zettabytes.

10 Best Practices for Off-Site Disaster Data Storage Solutions

1. Ensuring Data Backups

It is necessary to ensure that off-site data storage facilities have backup provisions for all data stored. Having a sturdy backup will help data recovery and help enterprises deal with potential data disasters. It serves as a preventive measure for times when a data breach ends up taking place. Because of its sensitivity, most of the information is often irreplaceable for businesses, which could significantly affect operations if any data loss happens.

2. Increasing Backup Frequency

Another way to combat data disaster threats is to increase how often you create a data backup. If there is a long gap between each backup, there is a chance that a potential attack could remove all previous data and leave them unrecoverable. Backing up data every other day or every week is an excellent way to ensure that the off-site systems stay updated with all the latest information.

3. Prioritize Data Importance

When storing data in off-site centers, it is necessary to prioritize them through operations, categories, historical value, etc. Prioritization will allow enterprises to be more cautious with data that is highly sensitive and avoid the risk of leaving data unsecured. Prioritizing data by importance will also improve backup strategies for data management. With this, businesses can focus on ensuring a stable data system for all their sources.

4. Use Off-Site Plus Cloud Storage

Off-site data management is an excellent approach for moments you need to have data in hand. However, a cloud backup system will allow enterprises to store data in multiple places, eliminating the risk of data loss if one source faces a disaster threat. On average, about 44% of data becomes unrecoverable after ransomware attacks. Having multiple storage facilities will ensure that you always have a source of data present.

building exterior in night setting
building exterior in night setting for off-site data storage – image credit Unsplash

Did You Know?

In 2021, the volume of data storage units increased by over 10 million, reaching 2.9 billion pieces.

5. Include Automation Channels

Automation is an excellent resource to include in an off-site data center company. It allows enterprises to use infrastructures that support real-time updates that will let them know about different data operations in the system. If a threat makes itself visible, businesses will be able to identify it instantly and work to build a solution to combat the issue.

6. Do Not Retain All Data in One Place

While having historical data available for emergency requirements is beneficial, it is advisable not to retain them in the exact location. Many enterprises retain data in off-site systems that date back many years. If a disaster presents itself, there is a chance that businesses could lose a combination of new and old data, leaving little room to connect them back again. Hence, when using off-site data storage facilities, it is beneficial to space them out based on new and old data.

7. Use Protection for Data Endpoints

Any device you use to access off-site data systems forms an endpoint for sensitive data. Along with ensuring security for the storage facility, ensure these endpoints are secure to withstand potential disaster threats. Because businesses use these devices to access data, it leaves room for external attacks to use these routes to reach the data maliciously. Hence, using SaaS protection or other similar security services is a must.

8. Applying the 3-2-1 Rule

The 3-2-1 rule states that all businesses must have three complete copies of their data, with one copy stored in an off-site location. Enterprises can store two copies within their primary infrastructure while ensuring that the copy stored in the away location is secure and kept updated with any changes. It is also a beneficial way to combat disaster threats, as there will always be a complete backup of data available at all times at off-site data storage facilities.

9. Integrate High-Security Measures

When using off-site data storage facilities, businesses must ensure that the infrastructure is equipped with the latest, reliable security systems to prevent various disaster threats without affecting the data management system. It helps ensure that all data within the facility will remain intact irrespective of any outside attacks. About 33% of business data folders aren’t protected and can be accessed by anyone. Hence, security measures are critical to ensure such situations do not take place.

10. Take up Third-Party Management

Some companies specialize in data management for off-site storage facilities. These companies specialize in data management services, meaning enterprises can have a reliable source to oversee relevant operations. Enterprises can consider working with such businesses to understand more about fighting disaster threats and ensure efficient supervision from these services.

Did you know?

Over 90% of small businesses fail when a disaster occurs in their data systems.

Endnote

Since many businesses rely on offsite data storage facilities, it is necessary to be prepared for different disaster threats that may present themselves. By undertaking a few mindful practices, businesses can ensure that their off-site facilities remain secure and functioning, eliminating the risk of external attacks at all stages.

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