Tips

Tips

• Explore the best free cloud backup services on the market

  There are free cloud backup options for businesses, not just consumers. Discover some of the top choices, plus the limitations of free vs. paid versions.  Continue Reading

• Overcome common cloud backup security issues in remote work

  Your cloud backup and storage usage may be on the rise. Make sure you take the necessary security precautions detailed here to keep your data protected.  Continue Reading

• What are Microsoft Teams backup and recovery best practices?

  Backup and recovery of Microsoft Teams is often a complex process. Explore these guidelines to help simplify the important protection of your Teams data.  Continue Reading

• Remote backup and recovery, protection changes that will stick

  Your organization likely saw big changes in IT processes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Explore the backup and recovery shifts you should expect to remain.  Continue Reading

• 10 guidelines to secure your data backup

  Data backups are essential to effective security, but backup mismanagement can often increase security woes. Luckily, there are some best practices that can help.  Continue Reading

• The importance of data backup policies and what to include

  It's important to document your data backup and recovery policy. Take the first step and download our template and use this structure for developing other IT policies.  Continue Reading

• How to choose a long-term data archiving services vendor

  When evaluating archiving services, you must determine what you need to archive, requirements around that data and how to make the most cost-effective selection.  Continue Reading

• Hardware replication vs. software replication: The differences

  Hardware replication and software replication have different use cases and pros and cons, so it's important to do your research before choosing one over the other.  Continue Reading

• Backup training for general IT admins in the wake of COVID-19

  In addition to the resources already available within a typical IT department, many external resources are available for all kinds of IT training requirements.  Continue Reading

• Private cloud backup vs. public cloud vs. service providers

  Whether you choose public or private cloud or a cloud service provider for backup, it comes down to your needs in such areas as cost and security. Explore how each one differs.  Continue Reading

• Ensure your backup networking and infrastructure work together

  How can you effectively modify your backup process to fit your network speed? Because bandwidth constantly varies, employ best practices for a range of scenarios.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for backup audit preparation

  What are must-have items to satisfy an audit of your backup platform? Why is auditing important? Discover how the audit process can help your organization improve.  Continue Reading

• Data backup plan template: A free download and guide

  Download our free backup planning template to help you get started or improve your current plan. It's important to have critical information laid out in a document.  Continue Reading

• How cloud backup can help remote workers

  As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, some companies that were hesitant before may finally push the button for cloud backup. Remote data is a solid use case.  Continue Reading

• Remote office backup best practices and options

  How can organizations ensure backup of data generated from employees' remote offices? Explore two top options and guidance to help protect your critical data.  Continue Reading

• Use and protect backup against COVID-19-related cybercrime

  Be aware of innovative cyberattacks connected to the new coronavirus. Improve data safety with these backup best practices that can serve as a foundation of response preparation.  Continue Reading

• Ensure remote backup system protection amid coronavirus pandemic

  Don't let a pandemic ruin priceless enterprise data. Here's how your organization can safely preserve and back up remote data generated by employees at home.  Continue Reading

• How to keep physical backup media storage safe

  Data is your organization's most important digital asset. Here are some tips on how to ensure physical data backups are stored at a safe and secure location.  Continue Reading

• Achieving backup compliance among CCPA and other regulations

  The recently enacted CCPA is just one of many current and potential regulations that backup administrators need to understand. Here are a few guidelines for staying compliant.  Continue Reading

• 3 ways automated backup can aid your data protection

  Automated backup can help you meet all-important recovery point objectives. Take advantage of automation in the backup process, as it can improve your recovery down the line.  Continue Reading

• 3 cloud-based data management challenges

  Your organization has data in the cloud, but there are still concerns as to how you and your data protection vendor manage that data to maintain performance and costs.  Continue Reading

• Achieve multi-cloud data protection with archiving, backup and DR

  How can multi-cloud users effectively use DR, backup and archiving together? Although multiple clouds complicate infrastructure, they also offer benefits for data protection.  Continue Reading

• Create a cost-efficient data backup plan that's also reliable

  A well-designed backup strategy saves both data and money. Here's how to build a backup plan that meets both goals so you can be confident in your data protection.  Continue Reading

• Challenges with hybrid cloud backup and how to solve them

  Hybrid backup is a popular method, but the combination of local and cloud storage increases complexity. Make sure you're managing your backed-up data effectively.  Continue Reading

• Create an effective data backup strategy from scratch

  You can't reliably protect your organization's valuable data without having a solid data backup plan in place. Here's what to include when you start building your strategy.  Continue Reading

• 10 steps to creating an effective data backup strategy

  A common denominator in well-functioning backup infrastructures is effective process and control. This checklist highlights 10 areas to help build a better backup practice.  Continue Reading

• In your data archive strategy, how long is long enough?

  Hoarding large amounts of data increases costs and management time. Here's how to painlessly separate the wheat from the chaff for your data archive strategy.  Continue Reading

• Archive vs. backup and why you need to know the differences

  Archiving and data backup are both key pieces of data protection. They can complement each other, but both provide distinct and important capabilities.  Continue Reading

• How to use multi-cloud data management and protection

  Data protection vendors are continuing to add more data management features in their products. How does this convergence affect multi-cloud environments?  Continue Reading

• Top 10 backup tips for your natural disaster recovery plan checklist

  Your natural disaster recovery plan checklist needs the right data backup procedures. Here are 10 guidelines that can help save your data in the event of a disaster.  Continue Reading

• Rubrik vs. Cohesity: How these data protection tools compare

  Although Rubrik and Cohesity offer similar features and functionality in their data protection and backup platforms, learn what differentiates these products from one another.  Continue Reading

• How to determine if your data backup strategy has the right resources

  The volume of different data backup resources available can be overwhelming. Learn how to quantify what is appropriate for your organization's backup strategy.  Continue Reading

• Choose the AWS backup strategy that best fits your needs

  What's the best way to back up your valuable AWS data? Compare the recently launched AWS Backup product versus data protection offerings from other vendors.  Continue Reading

• RAID 50: How to select the right RAID level

  RAID 50 combines striping with distributed parity for reduced data loss and better performance. Is RAID 50 the right configuration for your organization?  Continue Reading

• 2 trends that complicate SaaS data protection

  Malware and multiple cloud platforms have pushed the importance of SaaS backup and recovery to the top of IT managers' to-do lists. We explore challenges and how to pick a vendor.  Continue Reading

• Beyond backup: How to get more out of your backup data

  Do you view your organization's backup technology as a simple one-trick pony? Here are several ways to get additional value out of this essential practice.  Continue Reading

• How a backup administrator can manage large volumes in 3 steps

  Backup administrators have a tall task: managing a vast amount of data. Even if the volume is seemingly growing out of control, it's possible to keep a handle on it.  Continue Reading

• How to recover from a data backup failure and move forward

  Backup failures don't need to cause a long-term crisis for your organization. Make sure you're ready for this unfortunate possibility with these practical best practices.  Continue Reading

• How to protect data in the cloud

  Take a look at three backup methods -- on premises, cloud to local and cloud to cloud -- and find out the pros, cons and cost of each.  Continue Reading

• Switch to a new data backup system without disruption

  Your organization may be looking to transition to a new data backup platform. Avoid potential pitfalls and make the change seamlessly with these guidelines.  Continue Reading

• Hybrid backups reap benefits of cloud and local backup

  Organizations should have a local backup to speed restores, even if the final backup location is in the cloud. This hybrid backup approach can be useful for ransomware protection.  Continue Reading

• Two cloud backup problems that organizations need to consider

  Don't let typical cloud backup issues slow down your organization. Stay in front of potential impacts to budget and bandwidth for a solid backup platform.  Continue Reading

• 7 rules for effective data backup procedures

  If you're responsible for data backups on multiple systems, strong policies are highly recommended. This tip gives you seven rules to follow for effective data backup procedures.  Continue Reading

• Azure backup options: Microsoft vs. third-party products

  Backup for Microsoft Azure data is well within your reach. But which product -- or products -- should you use? The choice comes down to some important considerations.  Continue Reading

• How to make the most of secondary data storage workloads

  You get more out of your data when you use secondary storage effectively. Taking advantage of disk-based and hyper-converged backups -- and copy data management -- will help.  Continue Reading

• 5 biggest data backup mistakes -- and how to avoid them

  Don't let a backup blunder hurt your organization or career. Here are five common, yet potentially disastrous data backup mistakes you must avoid at all costs.  Continue Reading

• Top 4 NAS backup strategies for your data protection

  Whether justified or simply because the technology was misunderstood, backing up NAS devices was once considered a challenge. Now, you have several options for proper NAS backup.  Continue Reading

• The challenge of SaaS backup and how to approach it

  Just because it is in the cloud doesn't mean it's safe. SaaS data backup is equally as important as backing up your on-premises workloads but has its own unique challenges.  Continue Reading

• How do I know if cloud backup and recovery is right for my data?

  Are you ready to implement cloud backup and disaster recovery? There are a number of questions you need to answer first, from the financial to the operational.  Continue Reading

• How to protect backups from ransomware infiltration

  Your ransomware backup protection strategy needs to address advanced persistent threats that encrypt files over time. Learn how to restore backups to avoid a payout.  Continue Reading

• Top 8 VMware vSphere backup best practices

  The architecture and operation of a virtual environment is different than a traditional backup environment and demands specific techniques. Learn top tips for backing up vSphere.  Continue Reading

• Ransomware backup strategy guidelines to help ensure recovery

  Ransomware backup best practices are critical, as one attack can cripple a business. Here are three areas to focus on for optimal protection against ransomware.  Continue Reading

• Protect backup from ransomware attacks and recover safely

  Ransomware continues to get smarter and more sinister. Make sure you protect backups from ransomware that delays detonation and gets recovered into production.  Continue Reading

• ROI considerations with a hyper-converged data protection platform

  Do the benefits of a single operating environment and improved cloud support outweigh the costs associated with switching to hyper-converged data protection?  Continue Reading

• Modern data backup strategy involves integration

  Integrated data backup products are varied in their scope and capability. It is important to research your options, which range from integrated appliances to secondary storage.  Continue Reading

• IT storage team skills for hyper-converged secondary storage

  Is your IT storage team ready for the arrival of hyper-converged secondary storage? Learn what storage skills pros need now in order to take on this latest development in storage tech.  Continue Reading

• Physical vs. virtual backup appliances: Make the best choice

  Organizations have a choice in backup appliances: physical or virtual. Explore what both types of appliances require and where a virtual backup appliance has an edge.  Continue Reading

• Backup management process: Which data sets not to back up

  Your backup strategy does not necessarily need to include backing up everything. Believe it or not, there are elements that do not require constant backup.  Continue Reading

• Azure Backup service best practices to streamline protection

  Is Azure Backup the right protection for your organization? Explore three important considerations for using the Microsoft service to back up your data.  Continue Reading

• Compression, deduplication and encryption: What's the difference?

  Learn the distinctions and similarities among data compression, dedupe and encryption as these data protection methods gain importance in everyday storage.  Continue Reading

• 3 best practices for backing up Office 365 data

  There are plenty of Office 365 backup providers out there, but how do you get started? For one thing, think of your cloud data as if it were on premises.  Continue Reading

• Data backup planning: 10 best practices for protection

  A data backup plan needs to anticipate changes to the organization and possible threats. These best practices will help you tailor your plan according to your business's needs.  Continue Reading

• How the top cloud storage vendors stack up for backup

  Don't pick a cloud storage and backup vendor just because you've heard it's reputable. We lay out the features you need to compare among the Big Three providers.  Continue Reading

• Consider storage backup devices for your data protection strategy

  A secondary storage device could be an important element of your data protection platform. Analyze accessibility, speed, scalability and cost before jumping in.  Continue Reading

• Create a backup image in 7 easy steps

  Learn how to generate an image-based backup using our step-by-step instructions. Just remember to perform this activity in a test system to avoid wiping out source data.  Continue Reading

• 4 tips for backup infrastructure maintenance

  Like a car or any other important machine or device, backup architecture should have a maintenance plan. This process will help ensure the health and integrity of your backups.  Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud data backup: Choices and challenges

  With many organizations putting data in more than one cloud, multi-cloud backup has become an important element of protection. Organizations should tread carefully.  Continue Reading

• GDPR backup and data protection: Five steps to implement now

  Time is running out. If you haven't yet determined how to comply with the strict GDPR data protection rules, you better get started. Storage and backup play key roles.  Continue Reading

• Build data storage reliability into a backup infrastructure

  In today's market, there are a variety of data backup options. Here's how to make sure your organization's essential data will always be there when it is needed.  Continue Reading

• GDPR data protection officer role and responsibilities

  The data protection officer, required for many organizations to be compliant with the EU's GDPR, will face challenges in the new role but could improve how data is handled.  Continue Reading

• How a backup data retention policy combats growing storage needs

  While a thorough backup system can protect your data, it can also lead to a rapid increase in the amount of data you have stored. A policy-based storage system may be able to help.  Continue Reading

• Before you back up to the cloud, ask these big questions

  These five questions for providers will get you off on the right foot to backing up data to the cloud. Some considerations, like cost, may seem easy, but that's not the case.  Continue Reading

• Get smart with cloud backup security through 'CIA'

  Encryption is just one important element of backup data security in the cloud. Ask the right questions of your organization and your cloud provider to make sure your data is safe.  Continue Reading

• Veritas Backup Exec 16: Two major supporting features shine

  Dig deeper into Veritas Technologies' Backup Exec 16 software, which can protect the 2016 edition of Hyper-V and support several cloud storage architectures.  Continue Reading

• Mobile device security management practices enhance data protection

  While mobile security is a challenge, file sync-and-share products and mobile device management software can help protect your organization's vulnerable data.  Continue Reading

• Five data migration approaches for cloud archiving

  Administrators can take several approaches to migrating data to a cloud archive, from manual migration to using cloud-integrated storage.  Continue Reading

• Use Microsoft Azure Key Vault to protect your data backups

  The Azure Key Vault can serve as data backup protection through its encryption key storage management. Explore how to set up the vault and administer it in your organization.  Continue Reading

• A look at data backup techniques: Recovery-in-place

  Explore recovery-in-place technology to see if it is the right fit for your organization. But be aware that this data backup method requires some up-front planning.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure VM backup methods beyond Azure Backup vault

  You can back up an Azure VM using several different methods. Microsoft's preferred technique is to use Azure Backup vault, but this may not be the best choice in every situation.  Continue Reading

• Data protection methods: Mounting backups vs. recovering from backups

  Mounting a virtual machine image can save time, but there's a penalty to pay for the convenience. We list the questions to ask when deciding which data protection method to employ.  Continue Reading

• Docker data container protection methods: Pros and cons

  While Docker data container protection methods haven't reached the level found with hypervisor-based virtual machines, these four technologies can help users with the challenge.  Continue Reading

• Geocluster vs. off-site replication for VM protection

  Is a geocluster or virtual machine replication the best option for VM protection? Both approaches protect VM workloads by moving them to an alternate data center during a disaster.  Continue Reading

• Data backup and disaster recovery made simple

  Many backup products include DR, enabling users to manage both tasks from the same platform. Learn how to streamline data backup and disaster recovery.  Continue Reading

• Avoid Docker host backup issues on Hyper-V virtual machines

  Learn about common issues associated with Docker host backup on Hyper-V and how to avoid them.  Continue Reading

• Restoring data from backups after a security breach

  Once you've established how an attacker penetrated your network's defenses, and what they did after gaining access, the real work of restoring data begins in the wake of a security breach.  Continue Reading

• Backing up Linux VMs running on Microsoft Hyper-V

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey explains what you should know about backing up Linux VMs running on Microsoft Hyper-V.  Continue Reading

• The truth about using snapshot technology as data protection

  Marc Staimer discusses using snapshot technology in your data protection strategy and outlines issues you should know about before opting for this approach.  Continue Reading

• Ten common reasons for VM restore failure

  When a VM restore fails, you must troubleshoot quickly. Event logs are a good start, but can be cryptic. Here are 10 causes of VM restore failures.  Continue Reading

• Techniques for performing EFS recovery

  IT pros face the daunting task of EFS-encrypted data, but Brien Posey offers EFS recovery tricks in this tip.  Continue Reading

• How to dispose of unwanted backup media

  Brien Posey looks at the inherent problems with backup media disposal. Because it contains sensitive data, you must dispose of it safely.  Continue Reading

• Using PowerShell for bare-metal recovery

  Brien Posey shows you how to create backup in PowerShell that is suitable for performing a bare-metal recovery.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of the integrated data backup appliance

  Data center backup solutions are complicated; hence, the integrated data backup appliance. George Crump examines whether it is the right approach.  Continue Reading

• The keys to a compliance-ready records retention schedule

  Data retention and destruction have become key elements of compliance, making a retention schedule essential to a successful GRC program.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft ReFS backup: Ensuring compatibility and testing

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey outlines important considerations for Microsoft ReFS backup in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of backup tape encryption

  Independent backup expert Brien Posey outlines what's good and what's bad about backup tape encryption in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Virtual machine backup and restoration in a Windows failover cluster

  Learn about Windows failover clusters and their role in VM backups and restoration in this tip from Microsoft expert Brien Posey.  Continue Reading

• Performing Microsoft System Center DPM bare-metal recovery

  Bare-metal recovery with Microsoft System Center DPM is easier than you might think. Brien Posey explains the process in this tip.  Continue Reading

• SAN backup and recovery

  Moving data can complicate your backup efforts. In this tip, you’ll learn backup goals for SAN environments and backup methods to achieve those goals.  Continue Reading

• The value of VMware’s Changed Block Tracking (CBT)

  VMware’s Changed Block Tracking is an important part of VMware’s efforts to simplify and improve the VMware virtual machine backup process.  Continue Reading

• Active Directory restores: How to restore deleted objects

  Brien Posey shows how to perform an Active Directory restore using authoritative and non-authoritative techniques.  Continue Reading