Offline vs. Online Backup – Which is Better?

There has been a lot of discussion lately all about “living in the cloud” and whether to keep data and applications locally or stored out on the web using backup services like Mozy or Carbonite.

Which is better for backing up your documents and files?

Online Backup

• Pros:


• Cons:

The data is protected

• Based on the website you use, you may have the option to get to your files via the web which can be very handy


• If you have a fire, flood, or theft, your backup is offsite so you don’t have to worry about it


• Chances are, your backup provider will have a much more advanced setup than you do with respect to replication etc.

• You don’t have direct control over your data


• If your provider goes out of business, what happens to your data?


• If you have a lot to upload, it could take a very long time to transfer the data


• If your internet connection is down, so is your ability to backup/restore

Offline Backup

• Pros:


• Cons:

• The data is totally in your control


• Its on your network so access is fast


• If it is a portable drive like a MyBook, you can take it to another location


• You don’t have to be concerned about uptime/downtime or your internet connection.

• If you have a fire or flood, your backup might be destroyed along with your computer system


• If you have a theft, and have a portable hard drive, your backup might be stolen


• Hard drives fail (boy do they), so depending on your setup your back-up could bite the dust

After all that, which is better? It will depend on on your needs and how nervous you are concerning storing your data on someone else’s servers.

The good news is, you don’t have to pick one or the other. Back up your critical files to an external hard drive, and then also send your most critical files up to Mozy or Carbonite. The best of both worlds!

rmMut

Offline vs. Online Backup – Which is Better?