In our modern age, data security might even be as important as physical security. While keeping people safe is obviously important, keeping your data safe could be the difference between having a billion dollar quarter and having to explain to your investors (and possibly even a Congressional hearing) why you allowed something which is of critical importance to be taken from you. That is one of the few types of occurrences in this world that can even get a C level executive fired. So naturally, you want to store your data as securely as you possibly can. You might even be considering storing (or at least keeping a back up copy of) your most precious data off site. This has both advantages and disadvantages to it, obviously.
One of the best things about storing your data off site is that it cannot be harmed by a local threat. If civil unrest, a natural disaster, or a long duration power outage (such as during a heavy snowstorm) happens to take down your office’s computers, your data will still be accessible to you if you have a battery powered medium which is capable of getting online. While thinking in terms of “the apocalypse” may make you feel like you might as well be getting out the old tin foil hat, it is usually in your best interests to at least consider the worst case scenario.
However, there is also the main downside to storing your data off site — there could potentially be a breach over which you have absolutely no control. If something does happen to go wrong with the storage facility, or with their employees, you could face just as much liability and damage as if your own offices had taken in a Trojan horse. The difference is, unlike in your office, where you can always change your security, an off-site facility would force you to watch helplessly as your data is stolen.
There are two very valuable open source sites that can help you keep control of your computer and data. Using Putty will help to ensure that you have established secure connections. If you prefer not to store your data in a cloud, but prefer to have it on your database, you can access your own computer from anywhere using Tight VNC freeware. Both these resources will put you in firmly in control of your data and limit the disastrous consequences of getting data lost or stolen.
