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New Approach Takes the Drudgery, Mystery Out of Content, Data Backup, Protection

Written by: Andy Marken

Article Overview: Step-by-step guide to protecting your organizations data.

New Approach Takes the Drudgery, Mystery Out of Content, Data Backup, Protection

Problems with Traditional Backup Software
Backing up computer data without the right tools is usually a frustrating experience. In addition, it can be difficult for the average computer user to find the right tools that make data backup and restore a simple, straightforward process. Without a good backup solution, frustrated users neglect the backup process and leave personal data unprotected. Currently, the two most popular types of backup performed are file-level and image-level backup – but neither of these methods is the be-all, end-all panacea to protect user data. Most average users are looking for a tool to back up a modest selection of important files and emails, an amount notably smaller than the sizeable collection of data both types of applications are designed to back up. Using file-level and image-level backup software adds a significant amount of overhead (these backup methods are not known for being lightning-quick or efficient); and for most, such solutions can be overkill.
Thankfully, a third type of backup software has recently emerged: continuous, native-format backup. Continuous, native-format backup fills a sizeable niche in data protection by being a quick, minimally-intrusive, and low-overhead solution for home and corporate users alike.

Benefits of Using Continuous, Native-Format Backup
Continuous backup is a simple way to safeguard data by mirroring selected files and folders to another location. The backup function perfectly duplicates the data in its native format so restoring is as easy as dragging and dropping data back to the original location.
A huge advantage of using continuous backup is that data is copied in real time. This eliminates the need to constantly schedule and run backup jobs, a common annoyance found in file-level and image-level backup applications. With continuous backup, there is no wasted time or work telling the application to start backing up: the entire process runs silently and automatically in the background without hogging system resources. In fact, continuous backups execute with a low level of intrusiveness that file-level and image-level backup cannot match. For example, continuous backup applications do not force users to disable antivirus software before a job is executed like other types of backup applications do.
Another distinction that sets continuous backup apart from file-level or image-level backup is that data is not repackaged into a proprietary format. This is essential for easy file restoration because file-level and image-level backup software usually require users to restore data by using only that proprietary software. Imagine the frustration when you lose the installation CD: you won’t be able to restore your data until you find or buy the CD again! That is why it is smart to keep files in their native format: it allows users to restore their files without requiring any special software, making data recovery a snap.

Continuous, Native-Format Backup in the Real World
In real-world situations, the flexibility and ease-of-use of continuous backup allows for many different practical applications. For example, continuous backup can:

Protect vital documents and emails – Create a backup copy of the My Documents folder and Outlook emails.
Back up laptops – Data stored on a laptop might be more valuable than the laptop itself!
Archive photos – Digital photos are priceless memories that cannot be replaced, so they should be safeguarded carefully.
Back up to USB Flash drives: Portable storage devices make it hassle-free for users to transfer files and bring work on the go.

Finding the Right Backup Software
Unfortunately, not all continuous backup applications are equal. Although the fundaments of continuous backup lends itself to making practical, easy-to-use, and transparent software, the actual implementation of the application determines a large part of its quality and usefulness. A good continuous backup application should have:


Network drive support – Network drives are popular corporate backup solutions, and any professional continuous backup application should support backing up to network drives.


File type filtering – File filtering makes backup job configuration easier by copying only the desired file types from a given location.

Smart USB device detection – Because drive letters are dynamically assigned to removable storage devices by Windows, the application should execute a backup job to a removable device only if that unique device was used when first configuring the job.

Conclusion
Using a quality continuous backup application makes data backups and restores a simple and straightforward process. It encourages users to protect data by automating the backup process and reducing extra work typically associated with file-level and image-level backup software.

Related Articles
  Protect your data with backup software
  Don\\\'t Ignore Data Backup on Your Computer or You Will Probably Eventually Loose Your Data
  Data Backup and Recovery
  How to Backup Hard Disk Timely?
  Top 5 Reasons to You Should Backup Your Business Online

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