Backup Management

A managed backup service includes end-to-end handling of all your backup needs. This means we assess your requirements, set up the backup software and hardware (or cloud storage), and establish a schedule for automatic backups. It also covers continuous monitoring of backup jobs, troubleshooting any errors, and periodic testing of data restoration. Essentially, we take care of backups from start to finish, so you do not have to worry about whether your data is protected – we make sure it is.

A managed backup service includes end-to-end handling of all your backup needs. This means we assess your requirements, set up the backup software and hardware (or cloud storage), and establish a schedule for automatic backups. It also covers continuous monitoring of backup jobs, troubleshooting any errors, and periodic testing of data restoration. Essentially, we take care of backups from start to finish, so you do not have to worry about whether your data is protected – we make sure it is.

Backups are typically performed on a daily basis, with critical data sometimes backed up even more frequently (for example, hourly incremental backups) depending on your needs.  In a business-critical scenario, we can deliver completely mirrored systems that are constantly backed up. We customise the backup frequency to meet your required recovery point objectives. If a scheduled backup fails or runs into any issue, our system alerts us immediately and we take action to fix it. This level of monitoring ensures that backups always complete successfully and your data remains up-to-date.

We store your backups in secure off-site locations. For cloud backups, your data is encrypted and stored in Australian data centres that are geographically separate from your office location. Off-site storage is important because it safeguards your information even if your primary site is affected by an event like fire, flooding or theft. By keeping backups in data centres with strong security and redundancy, we ensure your backups are available when you need them, no matter what happens at your main business site.

We take data security very seriously. All backup data is encrypted before it leaves your systems, meaning it is converted into a secure code. The data remains encrypted while it travels over the network and while it is stored in our off-site facilities. Only authorised personnel with the correct decryption keys can access it. Additionally, our storage sites are protected by multiple layers of security (such as secure access controls, 24/7 surveillance, and redundant power and fire systems). We also regularly update and patch our backup software and firmware to guard against vulnerabilities. In short, your backup data is locked down both digitally and physically.

Yes. Our Backup Management covers not just traditional servers and PCs, but also cloud-based data. We can back up M365 emails, SharePoint files, OneDrive, Teams chats, and other SaaS application data to ensure nothing is lost from your cloud services. We also offer solutions to back up cloud infrastructure on platforms like AWS or Azure. Even though these platforms are very reliable, it is still considered best practice to maintain your own backups of cloud-stored data. We will set up automated backups (and alerts and testing) for these services so that you have an independent copy of your cloud data for compliance or recovery purposes.

Backup refers to the process of copying files and databases to a safe location so they can be restored if the originals are lost or damaged. It is about data preservation. Disaster recovery, on the other hand, is a broader strategy that involves getting your entire IT environment up and running after a major outage or disaster. While backups (copies of data) are a core component of disaster recovery, a DR plan also addresses how quickly you can switch over to backup systems, where your people can work if the office is unavailable, and how to restore not just data but full applications and services. So, backup is about saving your data, whereas disaster recovery is about resuming business operations quickly using those backups, and other measures, after a catastrophic event.

Absolutely. Our backup management service can be tailored to meet various industry and regulatory compliance requirements for data protection. We can retain backups for as long as you need (for example, keeping seven years of archives to comply with financial record-keeping rules). All data is stored in accordance with Australian data sovereignty laws – within Australia – if that is required. We also provide detailed reports and audit logs of backup activities. This means you will have documented evidence of regular backups, which is often required by standards like the Essential Eight, ISO 27001, or other governance frameworks. By using our service, you strengthen your compliance posture through demonstrable good practice in backup and retention.

Data restoration with our managed backups is designed to be fast. The exact recovery time depends on the volume of data and the nature of the incident, but we structure our backups to minimise delays. For example, if you need to recover a single file or an email, it can often be retrieved in minutes through the backup portal. In a scenario where a server fails and needs full recovery, our team will prioritise getting your most critical systems back first – often within a few hours or less – while less critical data follows. We also regularly perform test restorations to measure how long it takes and to ensure the process is smooth. The goal is to reduce your downtime as much as possible, so your business stays operational.

The cost of our backup management service depends on a few factors, mainly the amount of data you need to back up, how long you need to retain it, and the complexity of your environment. We offer a flexible pricing model where you typically pay a monthly fee based on the storage space and services you use (an OPEX approach). This means you do not have to invest in expensive hardware or pay for more capacity than you need. We will provide a tailored quote after assessing your requirements. In many cases, businesses find that a managed service like ours is more cost-effective than handling backups in-house, especially when you consider the value of expert management and the prevention of costly data loss incidents.