Acme Data, LLC - Remote Data Backup Service: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a remote backup system and what does it do?
Remote Backup works basically like regular data backup software, with one important difference.

Instead of sending backups to a tape drive or other media attached to the computer it is backing up, remote backup sends the backup over the Internet, regular telephone lines or network connections to another computer safely offsite. It does this (usually) at night while your computers aren't being used.

It’s completely automatic. In fact, you may even forget it is working. Most businesses put their lives on the line every night and don’t realize it. With businesses depending more and more on the data stored in their computers, proper backups are becoming much more critical. Acme Data, LLC provides a means for businesses to ensure that critical data is stored off site, yet accessible.

Acme Data operates an off-site server designed to store a customer's data. There, an account is maintained for each customer and each account is protected by a password known only to the customer! The remote backup system is set up so that at a preset time, usually late at night, the client's computer automatically wakes up and prepares its data for backup. It determines which files have been modified since the last backup, compresses them, and then encrypts them for security.

When the data is ready, the computer uses its internet connection to locate Acme's remote backup server. The customer PC then transmits the data to Acme's server.Acme Data's remote backup server verifies and stores the data. Acme then copies the customer's encrypted data to either CD, DVD or tape for safe storage.

What if we already have a tape backup system?
Using a tape backup system and a remote backup system offers the best of both worlds. Critical files, like billing, customer contact files and databases, can be kept on the remote backup system. Your tape system can be used to create a full backup of the entire system once or twice a month, instead of on a daily basis. The tapes and drive will last longer, and they will require less maintenance. The remote backup system can provide a quick and easy way to retrieve critical files and databases without the time-consuming task ofsearching through tapes. One of the golden rules of backing up is REDUNDANCY!

What if we already have a Zip drive?
Frankly, we believe that it is not optimal for most users to use a zip, or other removable disk media, for backups. An remote backup service is completely automated and has the
required file redundancy to protect important data. The only safe way to use a zip drive for backup is to have three disks and make the same backup three times. That way when one of the disk fails you are still protected.

How long does a remote backup take?
Offices with high-speed Internet connections should find this service comparable with tape drives. Dial up users will be able to do incremental backups in thirty to sixty minutes. The initial backup can take several nights to complete. We recommend backing up the most
important files first and then selecting other files as the backup progresses. Or, the initial backup can be run over the weekend. Also, we can come to your office and make the initial backup of your system.

On-site, Off-site? What's the difference?
Basically, remote backups work like regular tape backups, with one important difference. Instead of sending backups to a tape drive or other media attached to the computer being backed up, a remote backup system sends encrypted file data over the Internet to a computer file storage system safely off-site. This usually happens at night while your
business is closed and nobody is using the computers. It's completely automatic. In fact, you may forget it's working every night.

Why are remote backups considered more beneficial?
The data is immediately stored off-site using an automated backup system. Also, only an Internet connection is needed, completely eliminating the need for expensive backup equipment and media. Since the system is automated, manual labor and the chance that a backup is missed are eliminated.

How secure are remote backups?
Very secure. All files are encrypted using Blowfish or DES encryption which is selected by the user with their own personal encryption code, known only by the user of the system. Blowfish encryption has never been broken by a hacker. DES is used by the federal banking system.

What is encryption?
Encryption is basically a mathematical formula that scrambles a data file. The only way to unscramble it is with the encryption code.

For more information, please refer to the link "Why Use Acme Data's RBS?"