Continuous data protection

Continuous data protection (CDP) is a necessary part of data management. In today's digital world, an organization’s most valuable asset is its data, and being able to protect that data can be the difference between a thriving business and one at risk of going under.

But protecting your organization is no longer merely about backing up your files and folders — today, it's also about making sure that you're in control of who has access to what information, when they have access to it, and from where they have access to it.

CDP ensures that all changes to your onsite and offsite data are continuously backed up. Therefore, unexpected events like power outages or natural disasters will not cause gaps in coverage or loss of critical business assets. This gives you the ability to access the latest version of your data from any location and at any time.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at continuous data protection and how it can help your business stay safe and secure.

What is continuous data protection?

Continuous data protection is a term used for systems that back up data continually as opposed to traditional backup systems that back up data periodically, such as nightly or weekly. Having frequent and reliable backups can make it easier for you to recover from data loss or corruption.

All changes made to files and folders are captured and backed up immediately with CDP, so you always have an up-to-date copy of your data. Among the benefits are:

• No gaps in coverage

With traditional backups, if you don't make a backup for several days or weeks, you may lose data that has been changed or deleted during that time. In contrast, continuous data protection ensures that you always have a recent copy of your data.

• Quick and easy restores

With CDP, you can roll back your systems and data to any point in time, which is helpful if you experience a ransomware attack or other malware infection.

• Reduced risk of data loss

Because continuous data protection captures all changes immediately, accidental deletions and file corruption are less likely to occur.

It's also important to note that with traditional backups, you have to remember to make a backup on a regular basis. With continuous data protection, backups are automatic so you don't have to worry about forgetting to do them. As a result, you're less likely to experience data loss due to human error.

When files stored in your cloud lockers are backed up automatically, they are encrypted before being uploaded to your cloud storage. In addition, your files are automatically backed up in the cloud when you make changes to them.

Is there any disadvantage?

While continuous data protection offers many benefits, it has a few potential downsides. Here are some of the most common concerns:

• Increased storage requirements

Because continuous data protection captures all changes immediately, it can require more storage than traditional backup systems. However, you can often eliminate existing backups that are no longer required.

• More complex to set up

CDP can be more complex to set up than traditional backup systems because it requires configuring software and hardware to work together. However, it is typically easier to use once it is set up.

• Requires more resources

Continuous data protection can require more processing power and memory than traditional backup systems. CDP needs more power because it is constantly capturing and storing changes. However, many modern systems are designed to minimize the impact on resources.

Who needs continuous data protection?

Any business that wants to protect its data should consider using continuous data protection. Companies of all sizes, from small mom-and-pop shops to large enterprises, can benefit from CDP.

CDP is beneficial for businesses that experience frequent data loss or downtime due to accidental deletion, corruption, or ransomware attacks. By automatically saving copies of your data, you can minimize the impact of these incidents and keep your business running smoothly.

How does continuous data protection work?

Continuous data protection works by capturing all changes made to files and folders and storing them in a remote location. Changes can be backed up either in real-time (as they happen) or periodically.

CDP can be used to protect data stored on-premise or in the cloud. On-premise storage protects data physically located on your organization's servers and workstations, while cloud storage protects data hosted on remote servers.

On-premise CDP

On-premise CDP is typically deployed as a software solution installed on your organization’s servers and workstations. It captures all changes made to files and folders and stores them locally, in a remote location, or both.

Local storage is typically used for quick restores, while remote storage is used for disaster-recovery purposes.

Cloud-based CDP

Cloud-based continuous data protection is a newer type of CDP that uses cloud storage to store backups of changed data. This has several advantages over traditional on-premise CDP, including:

• Reduced costs

Cloud-based CDP is typically less expensive than traditional on-premise CDP since you don’t need to purchase and maintain your own hardware or software.

• Increased scalability

Cloud-based CDP can be quickly scaled up or down to meet your organization's needs.

• More flexibility

With cloud-based CDP, you can access your data from any location, at any time.

What types of data can be backed up?

You can use continuous data protection to back up data from a variety of sources, including:

• Servers

including Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server, and SharePoint

• Workstations

including PCs and Macs

• Cloud applications

such as Salesforce and Office 365

• Social media

including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn

NordLocker for your CDP needs

If you’re looking for a continuous data protection solution that is both affordable and easy to use, NordLocker may be the perfect option. NordLocker is a cloud-based CDP solution that stores backups of changed data in the cloud. It’s designed to be simple to set up and operate, making it perfect for businesses of all sizes.

Final thoughts

In this digital era, data is one of your most valuable assets. And like any other asset, it needs to be protected.

Continuous data protection is a type of backup that captures all changes made to files and folders and stores them in a remote location. As a result, you can quickly restore damaged or lost data, minimizing business interruptions and downtime.

While CDP can be more complex to set up than traditional backup systems, it is typically easier to use and can provide you with peace of mind when you know that your data is always protected. If you’re looking for a CDP solution that is both easy to use and affordable, NordLocker may be the perfect option.