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Author: Orla Forrest

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Blog Vault365

Data Backup Mistakes to Avoid: A Guide to Protecting Your Digital Assets

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Data backup is a crucial aspect of digital asset protection, yet many individuals and businesses still make common mistakes that can lead to significant data loss. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most frequent data backup errors and provide tips on how to avoid them.

  1. Incomplete Backups:

One of the most common mistakes is creating incomplete backups. Ensure that your backup process captures all essential data, including files, documents, images, videos, and system settings. Regularly review your backup schedule and procedures to verify that everything is being backed up correctly.

  1. Insufficient Storage:

As your data volume grows, your backup storage needs will also increase. Ensure that your backup solution has enough capacity to accommodate your current and future data requirements. Consider cloud-based backup options or expanding your local storage if necessary.

  1. Single-Location Backups:

Storing all your backups in a single location, such as on-premises, exposes them to risks like fire, theft, or natural disasters. At a minimum implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep three copies of your data, store two copies locally, and store one copy off-site. This approach helps protect your data from potential data loss scenarios.

  1. Outdated Backups:

Regularly updating your backups is essential to protect against data loss due to accidental deletions, software failures, or malware attacks. Establish a backup schedule that aligns with your data usage patterns and ensures that your backups are up-to-date.

  1. Lack of Testing:

Regularly testing your backup process is crucial to verify its effectiveness. Perform periodic restore tests to ensure that you can successfully recover your data in case of a disaster. This helps identify and address any issues with your backup solution before a critical event occurs.

  1. Overreliance on Cloud Backup:

While cloud backup offers convenience and scalability, it’s essential to have a comprehensive backup strategy that includes both cloud and local storage. Relying solely on cloud backup can expose your data to potential vulnerabilities, such as internet outages or service disruptions.

  1. Neglecting Version Control:

Version control is essential for tracking changes to your files over time. Consider using version control systems or backup solutions that automatically create multiple versions of your files, allowing you to revert to previous states if needed.

By avoiding these common data backup mistakes and implementing best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of data loss and protect your valuable digital assets. Regular review, testing, and ongoing maintenance of your backup solution are essential to ensure its effectiveness.

 

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News Vault365

Cracking the UK market set to ‘rapidly accelerate’ Vault365 revenues

Vault365, a Dublin-based back-up and disaster recovery (DR) business, expects to grow its annual recurring revenue to €10 million over the next five years. 

Vault365 is a spin-out of Paradyn, an IT support business, and was founded in 2022 by Cillian McCarthy, Paul Casey, Rob Norton & Pat Downing. 

The business has seven staff and expects to record annual recurring revenue of €1 million this year. 

“We build best practice back-up and DR solutions for enterprise customers. It’s a local solution that ensures they can recover their data in the event of a cyber incident. It also ensures the data they recover is what they backed up to begin with,” McCarthy told the Business Post.

The business uses what’s known as the 3-2-1-1-0 rule. This involves retaining at least three copies of the data involved, storing it in two different ways, ensuring at least one copy is offsite, also ensuring that at least one copy is offline, and to have zero errors in the back-ups. 

The idea for the business grew out of the work the co-founders experienced with Paradyn. 

“Through Paradyn, we saw the need for a specialised company dealing with back-up and DR strategy. We did a lot of benchmarking with customers and found people had back-ups that weren’t fit for purpose. They weren’t sure that, in the event of a cyber incident, their data would still be there for them,” McCarthy said. 

“Out of that we built Vault365 to bring people on a journey to get the best practice data protection in place. We used the 3-2-1-1-0 rule to bring the customers along that path.”

The decision to split Vault365 into it’s own company came about because of the different nature of the offering. Paradyn offers service provision whereas Vault365 is a product-oriented business, selling through channel partners. 

“We have three partners in Ireland and two in the UK to resell the product. The growth has been much better than we expected. We’re having high level discussions with government sector organisations and enterprise customers,” McCarthy said.

“We only started the business 18 months ago and we’ve moved the business to a point where we expect €1 million in annual recurring revenue and we’ve taken on three new staff this year alone.”

McCarthy has firm plans on where he wants to bring the company. He said Vault365 is confident of particularly strong growth in the UK market, which should rapidly accelerate revenue.

“In the next 12 months we hope to double revenue. Over the next five years, we aim to get to €10 million annual recurring revenue. The plan is to add two more staff by the end of the year. Over the next five years, we expect 20 to 25 people working in the business.”

 

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Blog Vault365

Cloud Backup vs. On-Premise Backup: Which is Right for You?

Data loss is a nightmare for any business. It can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. That’s why having a robust backup strategy is crucial. But with two primary options – cloud backup and on-premise backup – choosing the right one can be daunting. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision.

Cloud Backup: The Virtual Safeguard

What is it? Cloud backup stores your data on remote servers managed by a third-party provider. Your files are accessible from any internet-connected device.

Pros:

  • Accessibility: Access your data from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Scalability: Easily increase storage capacity as your data grows.
  • Cost-effective: No upfront hardware costs, often pay-as-you-go pricing.
  • Disaster recovery: Protects against physical damage, theft, and natural disasters.
  • Security: Many cloud providers offer robust security measures.

Cons:

  • Internet dependency: Reliance on a stable internet connection.
  • Data privacy concerns: Some might have concerns about data being stored off-site.
  • Potential vendor lock-in: Switching providers can be complex.

On-Premise Backup: The Traditional Approach

What is it? On-premise backup involves storing your data on physical hardware located within your organisation.

Pros:

  • Complete control: You have full ownership and control over your data.
  • No internet dependency: Access your data even without an internet connection.
  • Potential cost savings: Can be cheaper in the long run if you already have the hardware.

Cons:

  • High upfront costs: Requires purchasing and maintaining hardware.
  • Limited scalability: Expanding storage capacity can be expensive and time-consuming.
  • Vulnerability to physical threats: Data is at risk from fire, theft, or natural disasters.
  • Management overhead: Requires dedicated IT resources for maintenance.

Which is Right for You?

The best choice depends on several factors:

  • Data volume and sensitivity: If you handle large amounts of highly sensitive data, on-premise might be more suitable due to control and security concerns.
  • Budget: Cloud backup is often more cost-effective upfront, but on-premise can be cheaper in the long run.
  • IT resources: On-premise backup requires dedicated IT staff for management.
  • Disaster recovery needs: Cloud backup offers better protection against physical disasters.
  • Accessibility requirements: Cloud backup provides greater accessibility.

Hybrid Approach: Many organisations find a hybrid approach combining both cloud and on-premise backup to be the most effective. This offers the benefits of both worlds, providing redundancy and protection against various threats.

Ultimately, the best backup solution is the one that meets your specific needs and provides peace of mind.

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Vault365 Video Series

Vault365 Offsite Backup

Welcome to our fifth Vlog in our Backup Solutions series!

In this Vlog we are looking at the importance & benefits of Vault365’s Offsite Backup.

TO DISCUSS YOUR BACKUP options CLICK HERE!

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Customer Success Story Vault365

Customer Success Story: Galway County Council

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The Challenge:

Galway County Council partnered with Paradyn, Vault365’s Irish partner, to assess their existing backup solution. The goal was to ensure alignment with industry standards and meet the council’s data recovery objectives. The review identified a critical issue: the current solution only provided two data copies (including the infrastructure copy) and one additional data copy. This fell short of best practices, specifically the 3-2-1-1-0 backup rule, leaving the council’s data vulnerable.

The Solution:

Vault365, in collaboration with Paradyn, designed and proposed a modern data protection solution that adheres to the 3-2-1-1-0 industry standard. This robust solution significantly strengthens Galway County Council’s backup environment. It utilises multiple storage repositories for increased resilience, offers flexible recovery options, and leverages different repository file systems for an added layer of security against ransomware attacks and their spread. Furthermore, Vault365 implemented immutability using off-site BaaS (Backup as a Service) with the object lock feature. This safeguards data against ransomware and facilitates disaster recovery. Additionally, Vault365 provides real-time active analytics for continuous monitoring and anomaly detection.

Conclusion:

By implementing the 3-2-1-1-0 backup rule and incorporating immutable data storage in the cloud, Galway County Council has achieved significant peace of mind. They can now be confident that their data is not only securely protected but also readily recoverable. Additionally, backup and restore jobs are now significantly faster. The council also benefits from the reassurance that their off-site backups are continuously monitored and managed by Vault365’s expert team.

“Vault365’s BaaS Solution has provided Galway County Council with a secure and reliable Backup Solution offering us resilience and speed of recovery. The immutable backups and the offsite storage provide us with the peace of mind that our data is secure and continuously monitored. Paradyn’s extensive knowledge and support were essential to this project’s overall success.” – Chris Averill – IS Project leader, Galway County Council

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Blog Vault365

The Data Disaster You Didn’t See Coming: Why Backups Are Your Business’ Secret Weapon

Let’s face it, disasters come in all shapes and sizes. From the ever-present cyberthreats to the more traditional power outages and hardware failures, your business data is constantly under siege. One wrong move, and you could be staring down a costly downtime that cripples operations and shatters customer trust.

But what if there was a way to mitigate those risks and ensure your business bounces back from anything? Enter the world of backups and disaster recovery (DR) solutions – your secret weapon in the fight for data security and business continuity.

Think of backups as your data’s superhero cape. It shields your valuable information from unexpected attacks, accidental deletions, and even natural disasters. A robust backup plan ensures you have a recent copy of your data readily available, allowing for a quick and painless restoration process.

But backups alone aren’t enough. That’s where DR comes in. DR takes your preparedness a step further, outlining a comprehensive strategy for restoring your entire IT infrastructure in the event of a major disruption. It’s like having a detailed battle plan to get your business back up and running in no time.

Here’s why a combined backup and DR strategy is a game-changer for your business:

  • Reduced Downtime: Every minute your business is offline translates to lost revenue and productivity. Backups and DR minimize downtime, allowing you to get back to business faster.
  • Enhanced Security: Cybercrime is on the rise. Backups offer a crucial safety net against ransomware attacks, ensuring you have a clean copy of your data to restore.
  • Improved Peace of Mind: Knowing your data is secure allows you to focus on what matters most – running your business.
  • Compliance Saviour: Many industries have strict data compliance regulations. Backups and DR ensure you meet those regulations and avoid hefty fines.

Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Take a proactive approach to data security with a comprehensive backup and DR solution. At Vault365, we offer a range of customisable plans to fit your specific business needs. We’ll help you identify your vulnerabilities, craft a watertight strategy, and implement solutions that keep your data safe and your business running smoothly.

Click here to discuss your Backup Options!
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Vault365 Video Series

Benefits of Vault365 BaaS

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Welcome to our fifth Vlog in our Backup Solutions series!

In this Vlog we are looking at the benefits of Vault365’s BaaS over traditional backup solutions!

TO DISCUSS YOUR BACKUP options CLICK HERE!

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Blog Vault365

5 Common Backup Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

In today’s digital world, our data is more important than ever. From crucial financial records to critical work documents, losing our files can be a major headache. That’s why having a proper backup plan is crucial. But even with good intentions, backup mistakes can happen. Let’s dive into 5 common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them:

  1. The “Set It and Forget It” Trap:

Backing up your data once isn’t enough. New files are constantly being created, and older versions might be valuable.

  • Solution: Set up an automated backup system that runs regularly. Daily backups are ideal for crucial data, while weekly might suffice for less critical information.
  1. Backing Up to Just One Location:

If your backup drive suffers the same fate as your main device (fire, flood, theft), you’re out of luck. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

  • Solution: Implement a multi-location backup strategy. Consider implementing the 3-2-1-1-0 rule. Maintain at least three copies of business data. Store data on at least two different types of storage media. Keep one copy of the backups in an off-site location.
  1. Not Testing Your Backups (Like a Fire Drill for Data!):

Imagine a scenario where you need to restore your data, only to discover the backups are corrupted or incomplete. Yikes!

  • Solution: Regularly test your backups by restoring a small sample of files. This ensures your backups are functional and gives you peace of mind.
  1. Confusing “Sync” with “Backup”:

Syncing keeps your files identical across devices, but it’s not a true backup. If you accidentally delete a file on one device, it will be deleted everywhere that’s synced.

  • Solution: Use dedicated backup software or cloud services designed to create separate copies of your data for safekeeping.
  1. Ignoring Encryption:

Data breaches are a real threat. Even if your backup drive falls into the wrong hands, encryption keeps your information secure.

  • Solution: Enable encryption on your backup drives and cloud storage services. This adds a crucial layer of protection for your sensitive data.

Bonus Tip: Keep your backup software and firmware up to date. Updates often include security patches and bug fixes that ensure smooth operation.

By following these best practices, you can create a robust backup system that safeguards your valuable data. Remember, a little planning can prevent a major data disaster!

Click here to discuss your Backup Options!
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Blog Vault365

Backing Up Remote Work Environments: Challenges and Solutions

The shift to remote work has transformed the business landscape. While it offers flexibility and cost savings, it also presents new challenges, particularly in data security and backup. Here, we’ll explore the hurdles of backing up remote work environments and effective solutions to ensure your business continuity.

Challenges of Backing Up Remote Work Environments

  • Decentralised Data: Traditional on-site backups become trickier with geographically dispersed employees. Data can be scattered across personal devices, cloud storage solutions, and collaboration platforms.
  • User Awareness and Compliance: Encouraging remote workers to consistently back up data requires clear policies and user education.
  • Limited IT Control: IT departments have less control over remote devices and user behaviour compared to a centralised office environment.
  • Security Concerns: Backing up data to the cloud introduces new security risks. It’s crucial to choose reputable cloud storage providers with robust encryption protocols.

Solutions for Effective Backups in Remote Work Environments

  • Cloud-Based Backup Solutions: Cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive offer automatic backups for specific folders and files. However, they may not cover the entire system or applications.
  • Centralised Backup Platforms: Consider enterprise-grade backup solutions that allow centralised management of backups across all remote devices. These solutions offer features like scheduling, encryption, and disaster recovery.
  • Endpoint Backup Agents: Install lightweight backup agents on remote devices to automatically back up critical data and system configurations to a central location or cloud storage.
  • User Training and Policy Enforcement: Educate employees on proper backup procedures and data security best practices. Develop and enforce clear policies for data storage and usage on personal devices.

Additional Tips

  • Implement a 3-2-1 Backup Strategy: This strategy involves storing three copies of your data on two different media types with one copy offsite. This ensures redundancy in case of device failure or disaster.
  • Regularly Test Backups: Schedule test restores to verify the integrity and functionality of your backups.
  • Stay Updated on Security Threats: Proactively address evolving cybersecurity threats by keeping your backup software and operating systems updated with the latest security patches.

By implementing these solutions and best practices, you can ensure your remote work environment is well-protected against data loss. Remember, a robust backup strategy is essential for business continuity and peace of mind in today’s remote work landscape.

Click here to discuss your Backup Options!
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Vault365 Video Series

What is the 3-2-1-1-0 rule?

Welcome to our fourth Vlog in our Backup Solutions series!

In this Vlog we are looking at just what the 3-2-1-1-0 Rule .

TO DISCUSS YOUR BACKUP options CLICK HERE!

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Blog Vault365

World Backup Day: Don’t Be a Ransomware Victim – Businesses, It’s Time to Backup Like a Boss

It’s World Backup Day, and for businesses, it’s not a day for nostalgia trips down memory lane with floppy disks (remember those?). It’s a stark reminder that in today’s cyber threat landscape, a robust backup strategy is the difference between business as usual and scrambling to recover from a disaster.

Think about it: ransomware attacks are on the rise, with businesses of all sizes targeted. Imagine the horror of waking up to find your critical data – customer records, financial reports, intellectual property – held hostage by cybercriminals. The downtime, the potential loss of trust, the financial cost – it’s a nightmare scenario.

But here’s the good news: a well-defined backup plan is your business’s knight in shining armour. It’s the shield that deflects ransomware attacks and the sword that allows you to recover quickly and efficiently.

So, ditch the damsel-in-distress routine and become a data security champion with these World Backup Day power moves:

  • The 3-2-1 Rule: Your Backup Mantra. This golden rule dictates having 3 copies of your data, stored on 2 different media types (think local hard drive and cloud storage), with 1 copy offsite. This multi-layered approach ensures redundancy – even if one backup fails, you have others to rely on.
  • Automate Your Defences. Don’t leave your data security to chance. Schedule regular backups to run automatically, eliminating the risk of human error and ensuring your data is always up-to-date.
  • Test, Test, Test! Your backup plan is only as good as its effectiveness. Regularly test your backups to ensure you can restore data quickly and efficiently in the event of an attack.
  • Don’t Forget the Cloud. Cloud storage offers a secure and scalable solution for backing up your data. Plus, it’s readily accessible from anywhere, making disaster recovery a breeze.
  • Educate Your Team. Make data security a company-wide priority. Train your employees on best practices like password hygiene and phishing awareness – a strong first line of defence against cyber threats.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a data security champion. Remember, World Backup Day isn’t just about having backups; it’s about having a strategic, tested, and secure backup plan that empowers your business to face any digital storm. So, take control, prioritize your data security, and free yourself from the fear of ransomware attacks. Now that’s a power move worth celebrating!

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Blog Vault365

Unlocking Data Resiliency: The Rise of Backup-as-a-Service in Ireland

In today’s data-driven world, businesses rely heavily on their digital assets to operate effectively. From customer information to financial records, these data stores hold immense value and demand robust protection against loss or corruption. In response to this need, Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS) has emerged as a transformative solution, catering to the diverse data protection requirements of businesses across Ireland.

BaaS: A Paradigm Shift in Data Security

BaaS, also known as cloud backup or managed backup service, is a cloud-based solution that offloads the responsibility of data backup and recovery to a third-party provider. This shift from in-house infrastructure management to outsourced cloud services offers several compelling benefits:

  1. Enhanced Security: BaaS providers employ cutting-edge security measures, including encryption, data redundancy, and access controls, to safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised access, malware attacks, and ransomware threats.
  2. Ease of Use and Scalability: BaaS solutions are typically user-friendly and scalable, making them suitable for businesses of all sizes. Automated backup schedules ensure continuous data protection, while the ability to scale storage capacity accommodates growing data volumes.
  3. Cost-Effectiveness: BaaS eliminates the need for expensive on-premises backup hardware and software, significantly reducing capital expenditures and ongoing maintenance costs. This cost-effectiveness frees up resources for strategic business initiatives.
  4. Reduced Administrative Burden: With BaaS, businesses offload the complexities of data backup management to the provider, freeing up IT personnel to focus on core business operations. This delegation of responsibilities streamlines IT operations and reduces administrative overhead.

The Irish BaaS Landscape: A Thriving Ecosystem

Ireland’s vibrant IT industry has fostered a thriving BaaS ecosystem, with numerous providers offering comprehensive and innovative data protection solutions. These providers cater to diverse business needs, from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large organisations with complex IT infrastructure.

Benefits of Embracing BaaS in Ireland

Adopting BaaS in Ireland provides several unique advantages:

  1. Access to Expertise: Ireland boasts a skilled workforce with expertise in cloud technologies and data protection. BaaS providers leverage this expertise to deliver high-quality services tailored to the specific needs of Irish businesses.
  2. Regulatory Compliance: Ireland is committed to data protection regulations, such as GDPR and ePrivacy, and BaaS providers adhere to these standards to ensure that customer data is handled securely and in compliance with local laws.
  3. Global Reach: BaaS providers in Ireland often have global reach, offering seamless data backup and recovery across multiple locations. This global presence is particularly valuable for businesses with international operations.

Empowering Resilience with BaaS in Ireland

The adoption of BaaS is transforming the way businesses in Ireland safeguard their data. By leveraging cloud-based backup solutions, organisations can:

  • Minimize Data Loss: Protect against accidental deletions, hardware failures, and cyberattacks, ensuring business continuity amidst disruptions.
  • Meet Compliance Requirements: Demonstrate compliance with data protection regulations and maintain a secure data management infrastructure.
  • Reduce IT Costs: Optimise IT spending by outsourcing backup management to a third-party provider, freeing up resources for strategic investments.
  • Enhance Employee Productivity: Focus on core business operations and empower employees with uninterrupted access to critical data, fostering productivity and innovation.

In conclusion, BaaS has emerged as a critical enabler for data resilience in Ireland. By embracing cloud-based backup solutions, businesses can safeguard their valuable data, meet regulatory compliance requirements, and optimize IT operations. As Ireland’s IT industry continues to flourish, BaaS will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the data security and long-term success of organisations across the country.

 

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