Backup Storage

What is Backup Storage?

Backup storage is the supplementary, off-device storage of files and application data. It is both hardware- and software-based and allows for the secure maintenance, management, and retrieval of important backup data.

What are the types of backup storage?

Backup storage consists of the storage device and the software that manages the stored data. The storage device can be physical, in the form of a desktop or portable external hard drive or series of drives; or it can be network-based. Network storage allows remote storage, access, and retrieval of critical content.

In most modern cases, organizations connect their employees’ computers to backup storage via network access, which provides a central location for files, virus protection, secure encryption of data, and the ability to automate backups at desired, regular intervals. Though many organizations connect their desktop and laptop computers to backup storage via a network, those networks require hardware-based servers or server bundles. Loaded on those servers is a software-based backup manager that facilitates the creation, storage, management, and retrieval of backed up data. Often, an IT manager or IT department is responsible for deploying and supporting network backup storage because it centralizes the security of the data being stored and protected. One ancillary benefit of networked backup storage is that it allows an organization to implement security solutions that alleviate and monitor known and unknown cyberattack threats.

Why is backup storage important?

Think about how upsetting it is to lose your wallet, identification, or money while traveling. These unexpected losses create a no-pass scenario that supersedes all other plans and brings life to a halt until the lost items are found or replaced. In some cases, this takes weeks.

Organizations can face the same scenario with their important employee, customer, financial, and operational data. In an increasingly digital world, data, files, and customer information are critical to the success of an organization, and losing that data could be catastrophic. Modern organizations use consumer behavioral data as the centerpiece of marketing and product launch initiatives and often have months or years of such data to store and retrieve to inform current and future market plans. The loss of such data could cost an organization years of marketing budget and effort.

Additionally, laptops, PCs, and online cloud software are vulnerable to loss, theft, downtime, and unexpected failures, and those scenarios all subject an organization to the possibility of losing business or halting productivity for hours, days, or longer. Moving critical operational files and data to backup storage is a way to save time and money while ensuring that business objectives and outcomes are satisfied.

When looking for backup storage solutions for important data, organizations have a variety of options. The first option is to store all data in the cloud, meaning an online service that stores your data for a fee. While convenient, the problem with this solution is that the cloud service could have a service disruption, rendering the backup ineffective. Or, the cloud service could get hacked, and the organization’s data could be lost forever or stolen and used surreptitiously.

Because of the convenience of cloud backup storage and the security of on-premises backup storage, it’s best advised to have what is called a “hybrid cloud” backup storage plan. Such a plan provides the enhanced business continuity of cloud backup storage and the centralized storage, security, data protection, and 24x7 availability of on-premises backup storage.

HPE and backup storage

HPE is an industry leader in data services and with HPE storage, organizations get enterprise-grade Storage as a Service, which streamlines planning and procurements and accelerates deployment with intent-based provisioning. IT teams can rest easy with industry-leading data protection while automating infrastructure management at scale.

Data is the lifeforce of any organization, and HPE GreenLake for Storage allows teams to speed up business transformation with a cloud operational experience for all data and applications. With HPE GreenLake for Storage, organizations enjoy a seamless cloud experience that merges the agility of cloud operations, consumption-based data services, and the freedom to run any app without compromise.

 

HPE Cloud Volumes Backup is a completely cloud-native backup storage target that enables you to back up seamlessly to the cloud—directly from any storage array or backup ISV—without changing your existing data protection workflows. Backups can be restored on-premises or in the cloud.

HPE Cloud Volumes Backup also helps eliminates complexity by freeing you from the day-to-day hassles and costs of backup infrastructure management. With this solution, you know that your data is rapidly recoverable and safe.

Finally, HPE Cloud Volumes Backup helps optimize your costs with consumption-based pricing and ultra-efficient data mobility across any hybrid cloud. And it empowers you to get more out of your backup data, enabling you to transform backup data into a business asset that accelerates development and reveals new business insights.