Backup Overview
Overview
This post ties all the backup posts into 1 overview of the backups. There are 3 main types based on the location of where the data is stored / managed:
- Local
- Offsite
- Online
Local Backup
Data that resides in the same place as your computer or where majority of the time spent. The local storage should be always available and quick access to take advantage of the locality of the storage. The performance should allow frequent and quick backups where possible. This could range from an internal drive to Network Attached Storage (NAS).
Advantages:
- Faster transfer speed
- Based on the above, more frequent backups
Where space allows, versioning of files will allow backups of changes and some protection against randsomware.
Disadvantages:
- Data resides close to the vicinity of computer / data source
- Accessible by threats such as virus, hackers, malware, etc due to the accessibility
- Requires user to plug in a cable if it’s not network attached
Offsite Backup
This assumes the backup is offline and placed in a reasonable distance away from the computer. In this case, the site is my home. Online, offsite backups would be similar to the online backup below.
Advantages:
- Data safe guard against local disasters
- Air gap prevents virus and malware if caught in time before making the backup
- Data transfer speed will be faster once the drive is on site
Disadvantages:
- Time to take offsite and retrieve
- Physical security considerations
- Remembering to swap the drives
Online
Covers hosted solutions such as OneDrive, Dropbox, Backblaze etc.
Advantages:
- Managed solution such as drive failures etc
- Always / easily accessible
- Native applications to access data
- Additional services beyond storing files
Disadvantages:
- Host may be able to access data
- Cost is usually higher than disks after 1 year
- Data transfer dependent on Internet speeds which is usually slower
- Online security attacks
Biggest advantage online backups are the additional services they may offer. Such as backing up whenever it’s connected reducing the time it takes to take a backup. Additional services like sharing data and version history.
Summary
There is no one solution to that will work for everyone so it’s best to use at least 2 of the solutions described above. You may choose to use different solutions for different file groups and having overlaps is better than having a gap in a backup.
