What Is Backup Software?

In this article, you learn the nuances behind what is a backup software and how to optimize it for your business needs and goals. A backup software is an application that creates copies of files and systems, protecting sensitive data from loss through data recovery. This kind of software protects business-critical data from unexpected events such as hardware failure or cyberattacks. Maintaining regular backups of files, folders, or entire systems allows backup software to ensure businesses can safeguard sensitive data and minimize disruptions.

How does backup software work?

Data backup software creates copies of data, such as files and folders, or even entire systems with specific settings and installed applications. Typically, backup software compresses and encrypts the data to optimize storage space and protect the backup copies from cybercriminals. Once the backup software has created a copy, the data is then securely stored either on-site or on a remote server.

In the event of data loss, backup software can restore specific data or, in the case of chainless image backup, entire systems. This ensures business continuity in the event of disasters, ransomware attacks, or system failures.

What are the benefits of using backup software?

1. Data protection and business continuity

The main role of backup software is to ensure that critical business information remains secure and recoverable at all times. If the data is lost, backup software can quickly restore it, allowing organizations to continue to operate. This helps mitigate and reduce the impact of natural disasters, cyberattacks, and other forms of data loss.

2. Protection from ransomware attacks

Ransomware is a type of malware that infects a device or specific files, encrypting them so that the user can no longer access them. The hackers behind the attack usually demand a ransom to be paid in order to decrypt the infected device. According to ransomware statistics, the rate of ransomware attacks has increased by 37%, with around 19 attacks happening every second. On average, businesses spend $1.85 million on these ransomware attacks and disruptions. To enhance their organization’s security posture, IT decision-makers should invest in ransomware recovery software that can backup their data and restore these exact copies as needed.

3. Compliance

Some industries have strict data protection requirements. Due to the sensitive nature of patient information, businesses in the American healthcare industry might have to comply with HIPAA, which requires businesses to have a plan in place to recover protected health information. Thus, backup software is essential for compliance management as it ensures that data remains secure from data breaches and can be recovered in the event of disasters or attacks.

What to look for in a backup software

When choosing the right backup software for your business, consider your specific needs. Different solutions offer different capabilities and methods for protecting your data. For example, one feature to look out for is deduplication, which reduces storage costs by eliminating duplicate copies of data. There are also several types of backups – full backups, incremental backups, and differential backups. Each type has different uses and drawbacks, so it is essential to understand which one would best suit your data security needs.

To help you narrow down your options, here are some essential factors to look for in backup software:

1. Security

The best backup and recovery software ensures that you have copies of sensitive data and that the data is safely stored. Some solutions can encrypt your data both in transit and at rest, safeguarding it against cyberattacks.

2. Automation

Automation is a powerful IT tool that lessens the need for manual intervention and issues stemming from human error. By automating backup processes, IT teams can streamline their backup processes and free themselves up to work on more strategic tasks. Automated backup solutions can be used to back up systems or schedule them at regular intervals to ensure that backups are always up-to-date.

3. Accessibility and scalability

Look for flexible backup software that can accommodate increasing data volumes. This is especially true for rapidly growing businesses. A cloud backup solution would be a cost-effective choice for managed service providers (MSPs) and businesses, as data is stored on cloud servers instead of requiring on-site hardware that’s expensive to acquire, set up, and maintain. In addition, cloud backup software allows users to access their backup data on demand, regardless of their location.

4. Cross-platform compatibility

Another thing to consider is the diversity of your IT environment. If you have a diverse range of operating systems and device types that need to be backed up, consider a cross-platform solution that is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Some solutions also offer mobile device management (MDM), allowing IT teams to back up and secure their Apple and Android mobile devices.

Secure your data with backup software

Backup software allows businesses to quickly recover from disasters and cyberattacks, allowing them to continue to operate. This reduces data loss and downtime, proving just how essential investing in backup software is. IT decision-makers should consider their specific data protection requirements and then research the best backup software on the market, such as NinjaOne.

NinjaOne offers centralized management of all an organization’s devices from a single pane of glass. This means IT administrators can use NinjaOne’s user-friendly platform to monitor, manage, backup, and secure all the data and systems for their Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android endpoint devices. NinjaOne’s secure backup solution and rapid recovery ensure business continuity and the protection of sensitive data. In addition, NinjaOne’s powerful automation tools make the backup process quick and consistent.