A storm is coming: Protecting your data with the cloud
Cloud services are becoming an increasingly popular way to deliver software applications, with more and more organisations recognising the security and convenience of using productivity software to store information. However, when a provider experiences a major problem, it can cause serious disruption in a business’ operations and demonstrates the potential hazards of an inadequate cloud strategy.
With extreme weather having recently caused a large-scale outage in the operations of a popular cloud provider, it has become apparent how imperative it is for companies to choose solutions designed to ensure the safety and continuity of their information in the event of a disruption.
Disruptive weather bomb a warning to cloud users
For many businesses, one of the major attractions of the cloud is the ability to keep information safe irrespective of damage to their in-house infrastructure. The presumption is that a provider will have the precautions to ensure data is secure.
However, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported how the storm that recently battered NSW resulted in an outage that for some lasted several days, affecting users of a major cloud provider. The biggest disruption was experienced by NSW users that only stored their information in a single location, rather than backed up in multiple data centres spread across the country.
Joe Sweeney, analyst at Intelligent Business Research Services, told AFR that the failing of this single-location approach and the resulting interruption for local businesses serves as a warning to cloud users about the importance of being proactive in their approach to cloud management.
Look for a cloud provider that backs up data in multiple locations to ensure maximum uptime and continuity.
How the right provider can keep your data safe in any weather
Luckily, a reliable hosting partner that invests in data replication and proper governance can ensure the best possible uptime and continuity for clients.
The FastTrack360 solution does just that and is hosted from a Tier 3 data centre in Sydney – Tier 1 being the simplest used by shops and small business, Tier 4 being the most robust but rare. FastTrack’s Tier 3 infrastructure, means information is replicated at a secondary location in Melbourne that is promptly brought online if there is a failure at the Sydney location. Furthermore, a third data centre in Perth hosts daily backups of the information, meaning that it will remain secure and far away from any major incidents that happen in a specific region. It is stored safely in multiple locations, and remains within Australia so you know is it guarded by local legislation.
In addition, FastTrack’s fully integrated range of services including paying, billing, timesheets and recruitment software is protected by processes for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery in the event of a situation that threatens general business operations. This means that whatever the weather, you can rest assured that your data will always be available when you need it. In addition, FastTrack’s fully integrated range of services including paying, billing, timesheets and recruitment software is protected by processes for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery in the event of a situation that threatens general business operations. This investment by FastTrack means that whatever disruption might occur, you can rest assured that your data will always be available when you need it.