Often, the most overlooked component of IT services is the process of taking and storing backups of critical data. The corporate backup strategy should follow the 3-2-1 model. Three copies of the data, two onsite and one offsite. Here are three methods of handling off-site backup data:
Off-site location
The most basic and common method is to take the backup on-site and then transport the tapes (or disks) to an off-site location at regular intervals. There are several disadvantages to this approach, but the most pressing is that the backup is not secure until it is off-site. For many organizations, the risk is too great to lose 24 hours worth of data. No operation should run without this level of data safety.
DR Site
Another option is to use the disaster recovery site as the offsite data location. The typical approach is to colocate a server at a Los Angeles data center and then transfer the data through the internet. The data is then in a secure location, there are no transport risks, and data verification is possible at the destination.
Real-time
A slight expansion on the above would be to run real-time backup operations directly to the server at the data center. Running backup operations directly to the data center will require additional infrastructure and storage. Data center providers like Rack Alley can provide the cabinet space and bandwidth you will need.
