Forrester researcher analyzes cloud backup

Virtualized platforms may offer companies another layer of data loss protection, according to a recent report by Forrester's Rachel Dines.

There have been several recent announcements that large IT companies are planning to migrate data protection services to the cloud, which Dines said will prompt backup software vendors and cloud service providers to expand their data protection portfolios.

"We've come a long way from simple agent-based backup and recovery," she said. "If backup software vendors want to stay relevant they're going to need to offer a lot more than just backup in their data protection suites."

Experts say that the cloud may become the future home for innovative backup applications due to the platform's architectural advantages. The virtualized data may be managed by a third-party provider in charge of security and the fact that the information exists in cyberspace makes it a more elusive target for hackers.

According to MSP Mentor, businesses looking to implement cloud data backup have several service options. However, the most responsive service may be a cloud disaster and recovery provider which, through specialization, can quickly restore business data and functions.