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Online Backup Blog

The official Vaulten blog by the CEO - Matts

Vaulten Online Backup Blog

What is backup and how to backup

November 6th, 2011 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

After many topics on backup there came a need to address this basic question. For all those who are still new to the data backup world.

Backup is the process of making copies of computer data so that in the event of a data loss it could be used to restore the originals. If you use computers then most probably you may have experienced data loss, the most common cause being human error. Backups also help you recover data from an earlier time or even a specific version of your file.

There are many ways of backing up your data; both manual and automated. It could range from simply copying all your files to an external USB or hard drive to the most advanced could-based continuous protection. Earlier only large companies could afford high-end data protection owing to the cost and complexity. Today you could leverage the best data protection at a fraction of that cost.

The best backup option for home and SMB users are online backup that automatically keeps taking copies of your data and keeps it encrypted and safe in a remote data center. These data centers are typically huge clusters of servers where some leverage the power of cloud computing.

A subscription-based service such as Vaulten could help you with the most advanced data protection at just $9.99 per month. Backing up data is a one-time and simple setup process:

  1. Download the free online backup software from the Vaulten website.
  2. Install and select the files, folders or sections of your computer that you wish to backup.
  3. Start by saving your backup selection and pay only for the size of data backed up.

You never need to remember to backup your computer data ever. Your data is always protected, at home, in office and on the go. So now you know what is backup and how to backup.

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Backup Software as a Service (SaaS)

March 22nd, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

Today data backup via software as a service (SaaS) is becoming the ultimate choice for businesses when it comes to protecting their valuable digital assets.

Imagine the plight of businesses until now where they not only had to take scheduled tape backups, but an employee had to mostly take the tapes/disks home. The setting up had also been challenging for many SMBs, as it required a multifaceted infrastructure of backup software, networks, servers, disk arrays and tape systems. Many companies had trouble simply completing backups in the allotted time and a significant number of backups failed or completed with errors.

Now businesses have the choice of not investing on their own backup infrastructure, which is an added advantage in the current economy. They can entirely avoid the complications that come with adding elements such as backup media (tapes or disks), devices (tape drives), storage systems etc. All they need is an internet connection and they are up and running with a backup process in place.

The challenge has now shifted to finding the right backup SaaS company, where businesses can not only their trust their data with, but also get the high security and reliability that they need for their crucial data.

Vaulten, with the right partnerships, aims to be a leader in Backup SaaS for SMBs. More information on Backup Software as a Service can be found at http://www.vaulten.com/saas.

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Difference between Online Backup and Storage

March 16th, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

Further to my previous post, one user asked me what is the difference between online backup and online storage services? I am sure there are others who have this question on their mind, and I thought its best to share it here.

Online storage service offers space on a per-gigabyte basis, and sometimes includes a bandwidth cost component as well. Some companies do offer the service for free, relying on advertising revenue, but they are soon realizing that this doesn’t work.

Some of the distinguishable features of true Online Backup from Online Storage are the following:

Automation: Files are automatically transmitted, without user interruption to the online server.
In Vaulten Online Backup’s case, CDP – Continuous Data Protection technology ensures your data is backed the moment it is created or changed.

Encryption: Data is stored highly encrypted on the online server.
When you use Vaulten, data is not only stored encrypted on the online server, but encrypted before and during transmission to the online server as well.

File Versioning: Multiple versions of file are stored based on its change history.
For e.g. with Vaulten, whenever you change an office document, the changed files are stored separately. This way users not only cover compliance requirements, but also can go back and retrieve any version of the file (remember this does not increase your storage requirement proportionately).

To sum it up, online storage can be treated as an extension to your local drive and you just use it like that. On the other hand, online backup is designed for securing data automatically for retrieval and compliance purposes.

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How automated online backup can save your day… or even years(s)?

March 12th, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

Do you get sleepless nights about your precious data not surviving a hacker attack, a power failure, a computer virus, or even a hardware failure? I certainly have been there.

And that was my inspiration to start Vaulten Online Backup. I went through different online backup services available in the market and realized that there are gaps; primarily the trust factor, but I have already covered that here.

Let me quickly tell you how automated backup, like Vaulten can save your life…

It’s completely automated
Once Vaulten is installed, you don’t even have to lift a finger. Files are backed as it is created or changed. You can always optionally configure which files or section of your PC you want to be backed.

The program though working in the background never slows down your PC or internet connection. And when it backs up changes in files, it only backs the difference.

Data is stored offsite
All your data that you choose to be secured are backed up offsite to a highly secure data center. From here it is then stored in multiple, geographically segregated servers.

No more tape drives, CDs or USB drives that not only has high chances of getting compromised by fire, natural disasters etc., but also a higher chance of damage.

Recovery is on-demand
If you ever lose your data or have the need to restore any file, then recovery is just at your fingertip.  With Vaulten, you simply open the program and click on ‘Restore’, from where you just browse through and select the file(s) that need to be restored.

No CDs, tape drives and restoring complete batches. Here you may treat online backup as a secure drive available to you.

Vaulten’s aim is to provide completely automated, secure online backup to small business and individuals who earlier could not avail such a service owing its complexity and cost. But with little investment and a trusted technology partner like Vaulten and IBM, the risk can be quite small. The risk of doing nothing or operating with insufficient backup coverage, on the other hand, is much greater.

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How valuable are your digital assets?

March 9th, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

One user of Vaulten Online Backup had asked me which data package he should subscribe to. With further discussions, it came to light that he had more than 150GB of data on his PC… mainly a lot of TV shows that he had recorded and kept. Effectively, for his emails and business documents he required only 5GB. I advised him to take up a 5GB plan and keep a local backup of his TV shows.

I would say this applies to everyone who is looking for an online backup solution. You need to ask yourself on how valuable your digital assets are, and then ensure the most valuables are stored in the safest location.

With Vaulten you can always manage this from your computer by clicking the ‘Backup’ button, from where you can select the files you want to backup and leave the ones you do not wish to backup. Remember when you backup your files to any provider including Vaulten; you not only have to look into the space you wish to utilize, but also the bandwidth usage. To backup 150GB of space you may need weeks, depending on your internet speed and watch out if you are paying for additional GB usage to your internet provider.

After all it only makes sense to pay for securing your files if it’s valuable to you.

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Success comes with focus. Like paid online backup.

March 5th, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

I am a big believer in focus. Many friends and users have asked me repeatedly about adding advertisements and providing free online backup.

Let me take you back to the era when there was this army of online storage companies, all trying to support their services through advertising. They failed miserably because, as Om Malik pointed out in his blog: http://gigaom.com/2008/08/06/how-to-stand-out-in-a-sea-of-storage-startups

“In order to make a decent amount money off advertising, these startups need to generate hundreds of millions of page views, unlikely unless they allow people to share large files, which can often lead to a legal mess.“

If you are doing too many things you are not doing one thing right. An example would be of Amazon S3, which may be the only online storage company that makes sense, as they actually charge for storage.

There is no denying that paid online backup is growing with leaders enjoying double-digit month-over-month revenue growth. And investors and corporations are paying good money for companies in this space; EMC paid $63M for Mozy, Symantec paid $123M for Swapdrive, and recently Hitachi has agreed to acquire Fabrik Inc, to name a few.

Online backup, as opposed to online storage, is a great subscription business. And in this industry you get what you pay for.

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The story of data encryption

March 2nd, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

The definition in English: Encryption is a means of scrambling information for transmission.

Sounds good! So if my data is encrypted while being sent to offsite servers then it is safe? The answer would be ‘No’. What you need to check is three things:

  1. Encryption before transmission,
  2. Encryption during transmission and
  3. Encryption after transmission

Many online backup services don’t provide even one of the above. This is very critical for the safety of your crucial files.

Vaulten uses high-level technology to safeguard data before, during and after transmission: 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, which is used by banks and online trading and financial companies to transmit highly confidential information, helps ensure that data is protected at all times.

See this and more details on how Vaulten is so secure, at our website: http://www.vaulten.com/IBMsecurity

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IDC predicted fourfold growth for Online Backup services. And then…

February 26th, 2009 · by Matts - CEO, Vaulten · Online Backup

Last year IDC mentioned “Fueled by Tremendous Growth in Data Generation, Online Backup Services Market Is Emerging and Poised to Grow Fourfold by 2011”.

Well to me it looks like these estimates are being outpaced quickly, but that’s another story. The reason this topic came to my mind is because they had mentioned another important factor in their study:

“Year-over-year growth will slow beginning in 2010, as services practices begin to standardize, pricing competition has an impact, the supplier community consolidates, and in some cases online backup becomes a built-in feature in other online/Web-based services offerings.”

I doubt this. Millions of newer computers keep coming and with the death of tape drive now inevitable, the growth of online backup may continue for another couple of years more than predicted by IDC.

And yes, it may eventually become part of other services such as anti-virus or a bundled suite from your ISP.

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