The cloud has become one of the hottest topics of conversation in the world lately. Thanks to its plethora of advantages, it has become an essential part of the data storage market for organizations of different sizes in a variety of industries. When one talks about data storage, data backup and data recovery also become integral parts of the conversation as well.

Given the increasing number of recent data breaches and cyber attacks, data security has become a key issue for businesses. And while the importance of data backup and recovery can’t be overlooked, it is important to first understand the what a company’s data security needs are before implemented a data backup and recovery solution within the world of cloud computing.

1) Cloud cost: In most cases, just about any digital file can be stored in the cloud. However, this isn’t always the case as the usage and the storage space rented are important elements that need to be taken into account before choosing a disaster recovery plan. Some data plans can include the option of backing and recovering important files when necessary. They can also include options on how they are retrieved, where their storage location is, what the usage of the servers look like and more. These elements might seem trivial in the beginning, but they may prove to be important later on during the disaster recovery process. Different cloud vendors provide server space to businesses according to the their usage, and organizations need to be clear about what they are storing in the cloud, as well as what pricing tier plan they would like.

2) Backup speed and frequency: Data recovery is not the only problem on tab when considering data backup within the cloud. Some cloud providers transfer up to 5TB of data within a span of 12 hours. However, some services might be slower, as it all depends on the server speed, the number of files being transferred and the server space available. Determining and negotiating this price is an important point to consider in the long run.

3) Availability for backups: During the disaster recovery process, in order to keep a business firing on all cylinders, it is important to understand the timelines for recovering the back p data. Backups should be available as soon as possible to avoid any roadblocks that may negatively impact the business. The cloud vendor can inform you of the recovery timelines and how soon backed up data can be restored during a disaster situation.

4) Data security: The security of stored data and backups needs to meet certain security guidelines in order to prevent cyber criminals from exploiting any vulnerabilities. The cloud vendor needs to ensure the all backed up data is secured with the appropriate security measures such as firewalls and encryption tools.

5) Ease of use: Cloud-based storage comes with its own set of servers, which should be available from the business location and any other locations as needed. If the cloud server is not available remotely as well as from the business location, it won’t serve the purpose it is needed for. User experience should be an important factor in the backup process. If the procedure for data recovery and backup is not convenient, then it might become more of a hassle.

Data recovery is an integral part of the cloud computing world and it needs to be taken seriously with a great degree of planning from all ends.

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