In today’s digital era, secure and reliable data backup solutions are essential for the smooth operation and continuity of any business, especially small businesses dealing with sensitive information. MSP360 is a cloud-based service designed specifically to automate the backup of data to secure cloud storage, ensuring that critical data is preserved even in cases of unexpected data loss. Despite its strong points, MSP360 falls short in comparison to competitors like Acronis Cyber Protect, mainly because it does not support continuous backups.
Plans and Pricing
MSP360 offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different business needs, starting with a free tier that covers one computer and up to 200GB of data backup. This initial plan is particularly advantageous for freelancers, consultants, and solo entrepreneurs who need to secure their data without incurring costs. However, it’s important to note that this free plan does not support image-based data backup and requires manual management of backups through the desktop application, limiting its ease compared to higher-tier plans.
For those seeking more comprehensive backup solutions, MSP360’s Standalone Backup plan is available. This plan, priced at $29.99 per year for the Windows Desktop edition, includes 5TB of backup across five devices and supports image-based backup, making it more suitable for more substantial data needs. There are also more expensive options for servers, Macs, and Linux devices, catering to the diverse range of business infrastructures. While the pricing is reasonable given the storage capacity provided, one significant drawback is the lack of remote backup management features in the standalone plans.
Managed Backup Plan and Custom Pricing
For businesses needing advanced features and greater flexibility, MSP360 offers the Managed Backup plan. This plan includes cloud-based management and mobile apps, providing a more streamlined way of handling robust backup needs. The custom pricing model utilized here charges individual computers $2.50 per month, with a minimum charge of $30 per month, allowing for scalability based on business size and requirements.
To facilitate an understanding of potential expenses, MSP360 provides a Managed Backup Calculator on their website. This tool is particularly helpful for businesses, helping them estimate costs based on specific needs and configurations. Such transparency in the pricing structure aids businesses in making informed decisions regarding their data backup solutions, ensuring they only pay for what they truly need.
Easy Setup and Backup Creation
Setting up MSP360 is a straightforward process designed to minimize the complexities often associated with data backup solutions. Initially, users need to create an account, select the type of device to back up, and download the accompanying software program. The Create Backup Plan Wizard then assists users in defining backup locations and settings, significantly simplifying the setup process.
One of the key features of MSP360 is the inclusion of file compression and encryption, which allows users to select an encryption algorithm and create a personalized encryption key. Although the service does not support continuous backups like some competitors, it allows users to schedule backups to run daily or at set intervals of a few minutes. This flexibility ensures that user data is regularly updated and safeguarded without placing undue strain on system resources.
Managing Companies and Users
The MSP360 platform provides a dedicated Organization area that facilitates the efficient management of companies and users. The default setup typically refers to a New Company and includes preset backup destinations, notifications, and agents with default permissions, all of which can be customized for remote access and device management. This level of customization ensures that businesses can tailor the backup solution to meet their specific organizational needs.
Users are managed through the Users section, where they are assigned to companies with default permissions corresponding to their role. These permissions can be modified under the Organizations > Administrators section to provide more granular control over backup management processes. This streamlined approach to managing users and companies enables businesses to maintain clear oversight of their backup processes, reducing administrative overhead and enhancing overall efficiency.
Restoring Business Data
MSP360 offers a robust Restore Wizard that provides both immediate and scheduled data restorations. The scheduling option is particularly beneficial for businesses, as it helps to avoid performance slowdowns during peak computer usage times. Users simply select the backup plan and specific backup to restore, with the help of identifiable timestamps, making it easy to recover older versions of files when necessary.
While MSP360 excels in many areas, one notable limitation is the inability to select specific folders or files for restoration from a backup plan. To work around this limitation, users are advised to create distinct backup plans for different projects or areas of their computer system. This approach contrasts with services like Acronis Cyber Protect and Backblaze, which offer more granular file selection but may lead to more complex backup strategies. Nevertheless, MSP360’s organized backup plans ensure that data recovery is both straightforward and efficient.
Mobile Apps for Remote Management
MSP360 recognizes the need for flexibility and offers the MSP360 Control app for both Android and iOS devices. This mobile application facilitates the remote creation and management of backup plans, providing users with the ability to access and manage their backup needs on the go. The interface of the mobile app is notably less cluttered than the desktop version, focusing on backup plans rather than an exhaustive list of files, which streamlines the user experience.
However, the mobile app does have its limitations; it cannot download files directly to phones or tablets, nor can it back up mobile devices themselves. This limitation is in contrast to competitors like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive for Business, which support mobile device backups. For users who require mobile device backups, these competitors might be more suitable, but MSP360’s mobile management capabilities still offer substantial value for managing business data remotely.
Robust Security Features
Security is a paramount concern for any business utilizing cloud backup solutions, and MSP360 places significant emphasis on this aspect. The service offers private encryption using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), with the default setting being AES-256, which involves a 14-round transformation process. Users also have the option to select AES-128 or AES-192, depending on their security needs and preferences.
To complement the encryption protocols, MSP360 allows users to create custom usernames and passwords tied to their chosen encryption method. Server-side encryption further enhances security, along with account protection tools like two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access attempts. Authorized devices are flagged, adding an additional layer of security by ensuring that only recognized devices can access the backup data.
Compliance with Regulations
One of the standout features of MSP360 is its compliance with critical data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. This compliance ensures that the service can securely manage highly sensitive information, including personal and health-related data, making it a reliable choice for businesses operating in regulated industries.
By adhering to these stringent regulations, MSP360 not only provides peace of mind to users but also ensures that businesses meet their legal requirements for data protection and privacy. This adherence to compliance standards is a crucial factor for businesses that need to safeguard their data and maintain regulatory standards, cementing MSP360 as a trustworthy backup solution.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, having secure and dependable data backup solutions is crucial for the seamless operation and continuity of any business. This is especially true for small businesses that handle sensitive information. MSP360 is a cloud-based service designed specifically to automate the backup of data to secure cloud storage, ensuring that critical information is preserved even in the event of unexpected data loss.
One of the key features of MSP360 is its ability to automate the backup process, which significantly reduces the risk of human error. Once configured, it consistently backs up data to a secure cloud, providing peace of mind for business owners who can’t afford to lose essential data. This is particularly important for small businesses that might not have the resources for a dedicated IT staff to manage data backups manually.
However, while MSP360 has many strengths, it does have its limitations. One of the main drawbacks is that it does not support continuous backups. In contrast, competitors like Acronis Cyber Protect offer this feature, ensuring that data is backed up in real-time and minimizing the risk of data loss to the greatest extent possible. Despite this limitation, MSP360 remains a reliable choice for automating data backups, especially for businesses that do not require continuous backup and are looking for a cost-effective solution for securing their data.
