how data backup works

Frequently Asked Questions about Symagio and Offsite Data Backup

 
  I already back up my files to a tape.  What’s wrong with this?  
 
These days, our data is too valuable to take risks with.  Here are some reasons why your old backup method just doesn’t cut it anymore:
 
Human Error: If you forget to insert a new tape, or initiate the backup, you’ve lost invaluable data.

Tape Failure: tape drives are notoriously unreliable.  Just think of your 8-track, VHS, and cassette collection.  Would you trust the only copy of your favorite music on an old 8-track?
 
Backups stay on site:  If a disaster strikes your office, why have the only copies of your data there?  This is one of the most important features of disaster recovery.  Keeping an extra copy of your data on site does not mitigate the huge risks you face in losing that data; only in securing it off-site can you be sure of it is safe and uncompromised in any situation.
 
Security.  Your tape drive probably isn’t encrypted.  What if it falls into wrong hands, thereby exposing you to enormous liability?  How secure is your office in the face of fire, natural disaster, and theft?
 
So what makes Symagio’s solutions so good?
First, our software automatically backs up your data every night through your existing Internet connection.  Easy, automatic, and mindless. Never again do you have to worry about bringing home that backup tape, or simply not having the time to backup your data.  With Symagio, its all done for you.
 
Disk-to-disk based backup eliminates the many points of failure associated with tape-based backups.  We store your data on our RAID disk arrays in our secure data centers.  We offer complete redundancy for all your data to ensure its absolute protection
 
With us, your data is instantly protected off-site.  Our secure, off-site data center is one of the top in the nation, boasting unparalleled security, backup generators, and extreme protection from natural disasters.   
 
We encrypt your data from the second it leaves your computer using industry standard 256-bit AES encryption.  It stays locked in our vault completely encrypted.  Not even WE have access to it.
 
What Platforms does your software support?
We currently support all major operating systems, including Microsoft, Apple / OSX, Sun, Solaris, Linux, and 2005 SQL and Exchange Servers.  
 
Is the data encrypted before it’s sent over the internet?
Abolutley.  We use state-of-the-art encryption methods.  You can choose from 128 or 256 bit AES encpryption, higher than the industry standard, or even new the variable key Blowfish for added security.
 
How long do you keep a copy of our data?
For as long as you want.  We keep a copy of EVERY file on our server for as long as you want – there are no timetables or worries about tape corrosion.  Our disk based solution is that reliable.  
 
We also keep standard 10-days of versions of your files.  That is, if you change a file every day, we’ll index and categorize the changes you do everyday so you can always go back to the version you need.    Want more of this feature?  No problem.   We always customize our solutions to best fit our client’s needs.   
 
Can I ever run out of storage space?
 
Our state of the art servers and infrastructure insure that we can always back up all of your files, no matter the size.  We’re ready to help you with the explosive growth in data for your business.  

We run on a network – do I need a separate account for each computer?  
 
No, we believe that the best practice for data backup is to backup every drive a computer can ‘see’, or has mapped access to.  That is, if you can see it in your folders, then you can back it up.  Its just that easy.  

Can you back up Open Files?
We currently have four methods for backing up open files, ranging from our support of Open File Managers like St. Bernard to our own custom solutions.  A Symagio representative is more than happy to walk you through our options.  
 
My initial backup is huge.  Can I still use your service?
Absolutely.  Our solutions are custom designed for enterprise level operations – we deal with large amounts of data from most of our customers.  Using our Express Installation, we’ll take an initial backup of your server to our special external hard drives.  After that, only the changes—the bits of information that you change from day to day—are sent over your internet connection.  This greatly reduces bandwidth constraints and ensures we can backup any server, no matter the size.  
 
How does the software communicate with the server?
Our software uses standard TCP/IP—and above standard encryption techniques—to transfer your data to our world-class data center.  Most importantly, this is all done automatically, leaving you to worry about one thing: your business.
 
Why do you have an encryption key and password?
For your protection.  Our clients want one thing from us: the absolute uncompromised security of their data.  The instances of personal data of clients being compromised—from stolen laptops to lost backup tapes—is completely unacceptable.  We eliminate these risks by issuing you a personalized encryption key that is the ONLY key that can unlock your data.  Remember, our encryption is so powerful not even WE can access it.  
 
What if my hard drive completely crashes and I need a full recovery?
 
We provide our clients with two options in this unfortunate circumstance.  Hopefully you’ll never need either.  
 
The first option is to restore your data using your existing internet connection.  This is outlined in our Installation and Restoration guide, and is quite easy to do.  
 
However, if you have a large amount of data, you may wish to use our Express Restore option.  Simply call up a Symagio representative and we’ll begin the process of restoring your data to a universal external hard drive.  Once it has restored all your data, we’ll mail it via FedEx to your office.  It really couldn’t be any easier.  
 
How am I billed?
 
We believe in very transparent billing.  There will be no surprises or hidden costs.  We charge you based on the size, in uncompressed gigabytes, of the data you backup.  You will always know exactly what your bill will be.  

Can Symagio see my data?
 How would you feel if you knew your doctor had your information sitting on some server so everyone could access it?  You wouldn’t be very happy, that’s for sure.
 
That’s why at Symagio, we encrypt your data from the second it leaves your computer – and it stays encrypted in our secure data center. We do not have access to it.  Only you have the key that unlocks your data. That’s how much we care about your security.    		 
This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.