Computer storage: what solutions are needed to preserve your data effectively?

Over the years, computer storage has become a key issue for businesses.
This is mainly due to the fact that the amount of data we produce continues to grow exponentially. Some experts even estimate that by 2025, humanity will be storing 163 zettabytes of data... a colossal figure! (Source: Futura Sciences).
On the other hand, data takes on another dimension for companies: with the digital transition, it counts as a precious and monetizable business asset, which needs to be protected just like any other product.

But given the increasing complexity and proliferation of computer data, how can you be sure that you're opting for a storage method that's both suited to your working environment and secure?

Here's a brief overview of solutions that guarantee effective data backup.

See all software Backup

The objectives of computerized data storage

What is computer data?

Computer data is all the information circulating on a computer network. In today's digital age, this data is multiplying considerably.

For example, around 2.5 exabytes of computer data are generated every day (photos, videos, texts, etc.), the equivalent of 90 years of videos in HD format.

(Source: Futura Tech).

And when it comes to manipulating data, companies are not to be outdone. In fact, they are called upon to produce several types of data, including :

• technical data. This encompasses all information relating to the characteristics, production and maintenance of a product;
• data mart. This is defined as a subset of data that meets the specific needs of a business or field of activity;
• e-commerce data. This is essential to the success of an online business. It is characterized by a set of data collected (purchase history, purchase intention, etc.) and used for marketing and advertising purposes;
• Big data. This can be translated as megadata. It's a set of data so large that a conventional information management tool can't process it.

In this digital ecosystem, one injunction comes up again and again: companies must place IT storage at the heart of their priorities. But why is it so important to store your data correctly?

Why store your data correctly?

As we mentioned earlier, your data is a powerful business and marketing lever. As a result, a faulty IT storage system can lead to considerable losses.

You need to think about this before it's too late, because there are many causes of data loss:

• human factors: involuntary overwriting, erroneous deletion, etc,
• accidental causes: natural disasters, internal malfunctions... or simply that famous cup of coffee spilled on the computer,
• malicious intent: hacking, viruses, theft, etc,
• computer ageing: obsolete equipment, lack of updates, etc.

Accidents like these happen far more often than you might think, and they have a very negative impact on your business:

• reduced productivity due to lack of access to information for your teams,
• legal risks linked to confidential data leaks,
• lower sales due to the loss of data essential to your company's strategic management.

And there are some chilling figures to alert us to the dramatic consequences of poor data management! It is estimated, for example, that application downtime due to data loss costs French companies around $17 million in lost revenue and productivity every year. The worldwide average is $20.1 million! (Source: Programmez.com)

So, with so much at stake, you may be wondering what solutions are available to ensure that your information is properly archived and protected?

Which IT storage solutions are right for you?

Physical storage media

Hard disk

The hard disk drive remains an essential part of computer storage. We use them every day, whether it's the hard drive in our computer or an external hard drive.

We distinguish three types of hard disk:

• mechanical hard drives,
• SSD hard drives. Unlike their predecessors, these contain no mechanical parts, but use flash memory technology,
• hybrid hard drives, a "fusion" of the two previous systems.

One of the advantages of hard disks is that their technology is familiar to everyone and easy to learn. What's more, no Internet connection is required to use them. Last but not least, hard disks are constantly improving, offering ever more storage space. On home computers, for example, it can offer up to 4TB (Source: Futura Tech).

The USB key

It also uses flash memory technology, and therefore has no mechanical components. It is therefore highly resistant to shocks.
And even if its storage capacity is limited, the USB flash drive remains an indispensable medium. We particularly appreciate its "nomadic" nature, ease of use and compact size.

Optical disks

We know these as CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs or Blu-rays.
Classic media, they are nevertheless used less and less by companies...

Memory cards

We generally use memory cards for our phones and cameras. Lightweight, inexpensive and removable, they are not, however, the preferred storage medium in the professional environment (except for very specific professions).

In fact, today's businesses are relying less and less on physical storage media, as they have a number of limitations.

The limitations of physical storage media

While physical storage media have proved their worth for years in the professional sphere, they are increasingly tending to be limited to domestic use. And with good reason! Let's not forget that businesses have to handle sensitive data in ever-increasing quantities!
However, physical storage media have their limits when it comes to security.

First of all, they have a limited lifespan. For example, the average lifespan of a hard disk is around five years under intensive use. The same applies to a USB key (Source: Silkhom.com). Faced with this situation, companies have to multiply their physical storage media, and make regular back-ups. Quite costly and time-consuming!

And let's not forget that, above all, these are "objects". An external hard drive or USB key can easily deteriorate, or even be lost in transit. Your computer's hard disk can be damaged if your machine breaks down. And let's not forget that an accident or malicious act can lead to the destruction or disappearance of your computer equipment.

Here are the main reasons why today's businesses are turning to another model of IT storage: cloud data storage.

Cloud storage media

The benefits of using the cloud

Online storage, or cloud, is defined as a form of computer storage that records and retains your information via the internet. With this system, your data is stored on servers housed in ultra-secure data centers. Google, for example, offers this service with its famous Google Drive, but also with Google Cloud Storage. The latter, more suited to R&D teams, hosts and backs up much more than just documents, such as applications.

This type of storage offers several advantages for your company:

• the lifespan of the cloud is virtually infinite. Its storage capacity, depending on the budget you wish to allocate to it, is also unlimited;
• the cloud enables your company to become more agile. If you grow, and your storage requirements increase, your cloud solution will adapt quickly and easily;
• your data stored in the cloud is available everywhere, all the time, making it easier for your employees to move around;
• by centralizing data and facilitating access, the cloud encourages collaborative working and document sharing;
• last but not least, the cloud is the perfect guarantee of data security. Thanks to the cloud, you'll never have to worry about your hardware being damaged or stolen again!

The private cloud and NAS servers

The private cloud

Are you handling sensitive data, and therefore a little reluctant to store it on a public cloud such as Google Drive (which reserves the right to access your information!)? Private cloud solutions are available. Managed by external service providers, they provide you with a dedicated server.

NAS servers

Many companies also use NAS (Network Attached Storage). This system is similar to a private cloud, except that you manage your servers yourself.

You benefit from the centralization and easy accessibility of your data. But unlike a traditional cloud, NAS lets you manage your data yourself, rather than having it stored by a third party.

Nevertheless, bear in mind that with this type of installation, you'll have to take responsibility for the security of your servers. To avoid system crashes, we recommend using a redundant architecture. This consists of several hard disks that replicate data. So if one of your hard disks fails, another takes over. At the same time, be sure to keep your NAS in a safe place, away from sources of heat and humidity.

The hybrid cloud: an increasingly popular solution for businesses

The hybrid cloud is an IT system that combines both a public and a private cloud. Many companies use this system, in particular to meet the following objective: to use the private cloud for computer storage of sensitive data, and the public cloud for sharing data that needs to be easily accessible and modifiable.
On the other hand, the hybrid cloud offers a great deal of flexibility, as it enables workloads to be easily modulated according to changes in business and IT needs.

In short, you have a wide range of options when it comes to IT storage, but the cloud is undoubtedly the most practical, flexible and secure.
However, here too, there are many solutions. But don't panic, we're here to help you make sense of it all, by suggesting the best computer backup solutions for your needs and working environment.

The best computer backup solutions

There are many computer backup solutions to choose from. We've selected three that have proved their worth.

Beemo Data Safe Restore: the solution of choice for VSEs and SMEs

Beemo Data Safe Restore is perfectly adapted to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, while guaranteeing enhanced security. In fact, to ensure maximum security for your computer storage, the software does more than simply synchronize your data in a data center. It backs them up in three different locations (in a NAS on your premises, and in two highly secure data centers).
Beemo Data Safe Force also offers other valuable advantages:

• it's complete and quick to set up, without requiring any technical skills (making it ideal for small and medium-sized businesses),
• backup management is fully automated and alert,
• all your data can be restored at any time,
• access to your data is continuous, thanks to the Beemox box located in your company.

NetBackup: the solution of choice for hybrid cloud environments

According to a study carried out by NetBackup, 34% of participants stated that managing multiple cloud environments was one of their main challenges (Source: Veritas Technologies). This is why the solution is now evolving towards a data replication model for the hybrid cloud, covering all configurations.
And the benefits of NetBackup are still numerous:

• it offers rapid data backup and recovery, and one-click file restoration,
• it constantly optimizes performance to keep pace with the demands of modern, scalable workloads,
• it protects hundreds of nodes storing several petabytes of data,
• it's easy to administer, thanks to a simple web-based user interface with optimized workflows.

Oxibox: data security in the cloud

Relying on its own cloud infrastructure, Oxibox's turnkey solution can store up to several petabytes of data. How do we do it? By securing your information in data centers located in France, which are highly protected against physical and IT risks.
Its many features include

• immediate data security, from the very first GB,
• complete real-time traceability of all your backup processes,
• the ability to define the source of data to be backed up (cloud, remote sites, etc.),
• hot file backup, which requires no special configuration.

See all software Backup

What does the future hold for computer storage?

At the end of the day, computer storage is an issue that you really need to think about, in order to choose the solution that's right for you. But despite the multitude of data storage options, the cloud undeniably represents the best alternative.

However, using a public cloud system like Google Drive isn't always optimal, especially when it comes to handling confidential or very large amounts of data.

That's why it may be essential to use online solutions, or backups, tailored to your business objectives and structure. Time, security, performance... you've got everything to gain!