DON’T BE TEMPTED BY A 1GB CARROT: DATAFORT WARNS SMBS OVER INTERNET EMAIL AGONY
Leading Off-Site Storage Provider Echoes AXA Insurance Alert Over Backups
DataFort, the leading provider of managed off-site data back-up, is warning SMEs to resist the temptation of using ‘free’ web mail accounts as improvised off-site storage. The warning comes on the back of an increase in storage capacity being offered by web mail providers including Google, Yahoo and Hotmail.

“For many SMEs, their digital information is as valuable as actual cash,” says Gavin Smith, CEO of DataFort. “Companies wouldn’t store their money in gym lockers or other storage facilities you get for free, so why put customer lists, sales sheets, invoices, accounts and other business critical data in the Internet equivalent?”

While free one gigabyte web mail accounts may sound tempting, Smith argues that SMEs are playing a risky game if they use what is essentially e-mail storage provision for business critical data backups.

“Recent cases of power users losing all of their files from an Internet e-mail account is proof enough that, when it comes to storing and retrieving critical data, the best option is through a dedicated off-site solution that can prove the security and resilience of its service.”

DataFort’s warning comes on the back of a similar announcement by UK insurance giant AXA Insurance, alerting SMEs to the threat of liquidation unless robust data storage and risk management programmes were in place. It suggested working with a specialist off-site data storage and recovery provider to help safeguard business critical data.
“Free web space cannot be considered robust under any stretch of the imagination,” concludes Smith. “The bottom line is, if you’re backing up data you can’t afford to lose, Internet e-mail accounts come under the same category as CD-ROMs, Zip discs, portable hard drives and tapes…risky.”
About DataFort
DataFort provides dependable secure off-site computer information storage with a focus on functionality and convenience for the end user. DataFort is more than just an off-site service, its proprietary software works onsite, within the security of the client’s firewall, to shepherd company data via the Internet to a secure data complex. The fully automated service gives peace of mind to any company with up to 1 Terabyte (1000 GB) of data. DataFort provides enterprise level disaster recovery services to the both micro and SMB market. The software uses 256-bit encryption, the same standard approved for internal use by the US Federal government to encode data on the customer premises before sending it over Internet connections to a high security data complex. The service includes a remote administration system that monitors systems that may impact on backup events. This system can be accessed by customers or their advisors through a secure web site. It also includes account monitoring from the DataFort N.O.C.DataFort provides a scalable service with customers ranging from micro businesses through to listed corporate entities.
Further information on DataFort – including interviews, reviews, users stories and site visits – is available from:
Ian Peel
DataFort press office
MCC International Ltd
Tel: 1-800 944 0584
Fax: 1-646 619-4206
Email: datafort@mccint.com