Every organization must have a backup to recover their data in case of a data loss. No one is safe from the risk of data loss, big or small; they are all susceptible to data loss. You can be the victim of data loss resulting from malicious cybercrimes, human error, and natural disasters such as fires and floods. As a result, many have adopted two common data backups: onsite and offsite data backups.
Onsite data backups copy the organization's data, which is the backup data, and store that data locally. Data is periodically copied onto physical storage devices such as hard disks, DVDs, and CDs. Onsite backup systems have backup data stored on-premises or in a location close to the actual data.
Offsite data backups store the backup data in a different location from the data being backed up. Off-site storage data is backed up onto cloud platforms, which can be accessed remotely over the Internet or via direct access.
With the basics out of the way, let's cover some of the major differences!
Backup Accessibility
Onsite data backup is easily accessible as the data is stored on-premises or close to the data that is to be backed up. In case of data loss, accessing and restoring the backup data might be easier and faster, as you don't need an internet connection. Offsite backup is not physically accessible as the data is stored in different geographical locations. However, you can access backed-up data over the internet from anywhere in the world.
Backup Cost
The initial cost of adopting on-site data backup might be low, depending on how much data you have to store. If you are a small company, you only have to purchase hard drives or any other storage device, which are generally cheap. However, if your company has a lot of data to back up, you might be required to upgrade your infrastructure and hardware to be able to back up your data onsite, which can be costly.
Offsite data backup requires no infrastructure configurations before use. All you need is an internet connection, and you can back up your data. Hence, there are no upfront infrastructure costs. Offsite backup can be affordable as you only pay for what you need or use. The service provider is responsible for maintenance and upgrades; therefore, you don't have to worry about those costs.
Backup Security
Offsite data backup is more secure than onsite. Firstly, multiple copies of data are backed up in different remote geographical locations that are not in the same location as the actual data. Therefore, in case of a fatal data loss incident like fire or flooding in your organization, multiple copies of this data are still securely stored in the cloud.
In onsite backup systems, the backed-up data is susceptible to the same dangers as the computer data. In case of fire, flooding, or even theft, the backup data can be damaged alongside the actual data. Therefore, you have to plan for reinforced backup data security in case of such disasters.
Backup Scalability
Scalability is one of the undisputed advantages of offsite data backup. The cloud service provider is responsible for providing the storage. Hence, companies can scale up or down on their storage depending on the demand at the moment. Additionally, the organization doesn't have to worry or start planning about future storage needs as the service provider will allow them to scale as desired.
Onsite data backups can sometimes face challenges with scalability due to physical constraints. The initial hardware and infrastructure set up for the backup data might not be able to cater to future needs. In that case, for onsite, you must keep the end in mind when setting up a backup system.
Backup Support & Maintenance
Since onsite data backup is based on-premises, you need a support team that is responsible for data backup. Maintaining the backup infrastructure and hardware is also your responsibility as a company; hence, more personnel is required. On the other hand, in offsite data backup, the third-party service provider is responsible for any maintenance, and data can easily be backed up over the internet. Offsite backup cuts the costs of extra IT personnel and care.
Backup Reliability
Offsite data backup is more reliable because the data is not stored in the same place as the original data. Also, the fact that this backup data can be accessed remotely from anywhere makes offsite backup flexible. It can be accessed online or via a dedicated virtual private network for extra security and high-speed connectivity.
Backup Compliance and Data Governance
Different industries must adhere to regulatory requirements and data retention policies when working with data. Whether it is securing or destroying data, adhering to these policies is essential. For example, the medical industry has rules and regulations on how medical data can be stored securely. As a result, both offsite and onsite data backups require compliance with the rules and regulations on secure data storage.
Backup Speed and Bandwidth
With network upgrades, off-site performance has improved over time, sometimes giving almost real-time performance. If your internet has limited bandwidth, it might take longer to back up large amounts of data. As a result, data-intensive applications are better suited to back up data onsite.
The backup and performance speed affects the Recovery Time Objective(RTO) and the Recovery Point Objective (RPO). The RPO is the maximum amount of data loss your company can afford, and the RTO is the maximum amount of time it can take to restore normal operations in case of a data loss. Limited bandwidth can affect the RPO and RTO in an offsite backup.
Ascend Can Help
Ascend Technologies has professionals with specialties in different fields who can help you determine your company's next technology step. If you are unsure what type of backup to choose, talk to an expert!
We offer solutions to help your organization get the best for your backup management.
