There are a lot of reasons that you’re hearing more and more about cloud backup. It’s quickly becoming the default choice for many businesses and other organizations who need to maintain reliable databases and web presence. That’s because cloud backup is a much more efficient tool for these and other related applications than most other options. 

It’s true that other disaster recovery methods are improving, and likely will continue to. However, despite improvements in competing technology, cloud backup remains the most robust solution for most users. Tape storage is one competing method that is still in wide use. Comparing cloud backup with tape storage clearly shows why cloud backup is the superior solution. 

Tape storage might be a great security solution in terms of making sure that no one has access to the backed up data. After all, it can be physically secured, and many users like that. However, tapes are fallible. They can be corrupted or lost. They can be overwritten. They also require you to either provide storage for infinite numbers of tapes, or to reuse tapes. What happens if you need the data back after reusing a tape? 

Cloud backups are much more secure in the sense that it’s nearly impossible to actually lose any data when using a quality cloud backup service. You don’t run the risk of losing weeks or months of data, and that’s a level of security that tape storage can’t offer you or your clients and stakeholders. If your business depends on uptime, having that site down can cause irreversible damage. 

Furthermore, cloud backup is typically encrypted, and sent through encrypted channels. However unlikely it may be that your tapes’ secure location might be compromised, it is a risk. A risk that you don’t have to take, if you opt for cloud storage backups. 

Also, the security of tape storage is hampered by the fact that in today’s day and age, sensitive company information isn’t being channeled only through desktop PCs. It’s likely that you and your employees are also using and collecting data via laptop computers, smartphones, or tablets. Cloud backups can easily accommodate an entire range of devices, which tape storage simply cannot do. 

Tape storage may, at the outset, seem to be relatively affordable. But when you factor in all of the actual costs, cloud storage is comparable or cheaper. First of all, accurate backups require trained employees, and have the potential for human error, which incurs its own costs. Additionally, tape storage backups must be regularly tested, which can be time consuming. When it comes to cloud backup, an automated message simply tells you whether or not the information has been received properly. 

Equipment costs are also an issue with tape backups. You’ll always need more tapes (or be forced to risk data loss by reusing tapes), whereas cloud backup doesn’t require any of that. Your subscription or monthly fee covers equipment costs, maintenance, and everything else. You don’t even need to lay out the capital for a tape drive.