The continuous references to "business continuity" may appear to be daunting. But in reality it is a
simple, yet critical approach in three steps:

• Keep your data safe.
  
• Make it accessible.
  
• Make it really accessible.

While the first two points are often discussed elements, the third point, “really accessible” is a new dimension to the discussions pertaining to the networking environment. With a new product that links networks securely over a cellular data network, "business continuity" is now unwired. Better yet, these systems work more easily and are more manageable than before.
Some of the key considerations while addressing data security are:

• Ensure data safety by backing up all data from personal computers (including laptops) and servers, then store that data both locally and remotely.
• Provide secure connections for remote users to access your network and your safe and secure data.
• Take the next step and provide data connections from literally anywhere within your cellular data network.

Enterprises need to begin by considering data safety first, because without safe and secure data nothing else matters. Enterprises should then consider two methods of network access: typical and atypical.

It’s not Back-Up but Restoration that matters
The truth though painful is that users do not think of back-up as something they necessarily need to do. They feel it is something that others need to do and either consciously or subconsciously sabotage efforts. However, they place a great deal of importance of the restoration of files. Users want files restored immediately. Since they want nothing to do with the backup portion of this equation, the onus falls on the technology provider.

And now the tape unravels

Too many people envisage tape when they hear backup. There was a perception that tape worked adequately for decades, but falling hard disk prices changed the game. When comparing dollar per megabyte of storage space years ago, tape won against hard disks by a huge margin. The price spread was so wide that people suffered through tape's many reliability and performance problems. While some of tape's problems improved over the years, the cost of hard disk space dropped so far companies are no longer willing to accept slow and mistake-prone tape systems for their primary backup.

Hard disk cost reductions changed the backup equation. Disk to disk backup systems provide performance and reliability never possible with old fashioned tape. In summary, duct tape is great, but backup tape should be retired.

Why files must be backed up in real time
Today new software moves backup from uncertainty with tape to a guarantee with disks. With new and state-of-the-art Continuous Data Protection (CDP) software added to an organization’s backup, and data tapes will become a thing of the past.
Like many technical terms, Continuous Data Protection has been acquired a number of vendor specific interpretations. Any CDP system provides more timely backups than traditional schedule-based file backups. It is however critical to fully understand the meaning of “continuous" by a vendor before buying a system.

Enterprises must ensure that the system they intend to buy can handle common server applications, such as accounting programs (Quickbooks, Peachtree, Great Plains), sales tracking software (ACT!, Goldmine), and Microsoft applications (Exchange Server, Navision, BizTalk, Business Contact Manager, Sharepoint, etc). Network applications with databases that stay open stymie less intelligent backup systems. Enterprises must make sure that their backup system supports Shadow Volume Copy from Microsoft and has the ability to copy open databases without hours of extra configuration and optional software modules.

Continuous Data Protection backup systems need at least two components, and most companies demand three for adequate protection.
nFirst, a backup file repository on the network accepts backup data from other network devices. Sometimes this job goes to a general purpose server, but smart companies use a dedicated backup appliance for better performance and security.

nSecond, specialized software sits on each network device and controls data transfer to the backup appliance. Personal computers (desktops and laptops) and servers run agent software. Unlike older backup software that copied changed files during the night, CDP software agents track every write operation to the client hard disk and copies the changes to the backup appliance. The agent software works at a disk block level, not file level, greatly reducing the amount of data sent over the network to the backup appliance.
nThird, smart companies configure the backup appliance to send copies of files to a second location for redundancy. The remote location may be another company backup device or online backup service.

Ensure that Backups are stored at a Second Site
Why store backup data somewhere far away? Because in case of disaster, ranging from a major fire to dropped fruit juice, organizational data is safe. Quickly restoring the files you need to run your business means the difference between recovery and bankruptcy. When your server suffers damage, the backup server beside it tends to suffer as well, so your data files better be safe, somewhere else.

Remote backup file storage protects against any disaster, large or small, that may compromise the clients and backup appliance. Large disasters like hurricanes make global headlines. A broken water pipe won't make the news but it will ruin the company’s servers and clients. Offsite data can then be used to recreate servers and workstations once they get replaced.

Tape backup users can, if they remember, store tapes offsite. But they can only restore files from those tapes when they physically insert their backup tapes into their tape drive connected to their computers. Getting tapes and new systems together physically may delay file restoration for days.

Companies still need locally stored backup sets. Local backup file storage makes local file recovery fast and easy. Optional Bare Metal Restore (BMR) software takes a disk image snapshot of clients and servers at scheduled intervals. When necessary, full recovery of a saved snapshot takes minutes rather than a typical workstation or server reinstall, which often takes two work days.

The more Backup, the Better

The more data management options, the better. Remote management? Makes great sense if companies control remote offices large enough to have their own backup appliance. E-mail alerts in case of trouble? Certainly.
Central management consoles with the ability to apply policies to clients whether the clients want them or not? Absolutely, because that makes life easier for managers and ensures more clients get protected, even if against their will.

Once in place, test backup system by restoring files regularly. Restore files to the client they came from, and to other clients, all from the storage device management interface. Verify remote data storage location by restoring files from there as well.
Remember, users call it file backup, but they really mean file restore.

Make Your Data Accessible with Virtual Private Networks
No matter how carefully you plan, some of your data is always somewhere else. Irrespective of how carefully companies plan their data management, there always is some data out of the purview of the environment covered.

Companies now configure Virtual Private Networks so that employees can reach the office network from remote location. Companies can connect remote offices together. Companies must ensure that their VPN is flexible enough to connect employees who can't reach the office, such as during weather extremes or other extreme conditions? Easy employee access to your network and data means work continues even as the storm rages.

Very small companies may get by with saving shared files to an online collaboration service. But once they start running applications on their own server, that option disappears. They will need access to data files on the servers, the ability to print back to an office printer, and a way to execute internal Web based applications. That means they need a Virtual Private Network.

VPN’s smoothen the way
A few years ago, a customer asking for a VPN generated great excitement among the huge network services vendors. Supporting VPNs for even a few remote connections meant expensive server equipment gear at the office plus large and difficult to install and configure client software on every remote workstation that might possibly ever need to link to the office.

The innovation that resulted in the SSL VPNs now ensured that the Virtual Private Networks can connect through a Web browser using the same Secure Sockets Layer encryption popularized by e-commerce vendors. There now is a positive trend in pricing. Hardware systems gave way to less expensive software based SSL systems which created fewer client problems than the hardware-based VPN options. Counter intuitively, innovation and reduced costs moved the software SSL VPN back to hardware. But now, instead of requiring large Windows servers, new hardware incarnations mean a small network appliance that hides behind the company firewall for improved security.

The VPN Appliance
Not only does the VPN appliance cost less than large network hardware systems and VPN software applications on existing servers, customers now get more flexibility. Hardware based systems needed fat client software on each remote client, and early SSL VPN vendors charged per client connection. In other words, the more customers deployed the remote access system, the more it cost.

Now, modern SSL VPN appliances support clients without the need for special software, and they charge by the appliance, not the user. This allows companies to use remote access for regular connections like remote offices and traveling laptops, just like always. It also allows a company to keep running if no one can get to the office, such as during bad weather. Since one can't plan ahead for weather so bad it makes travel difficult, flexibility and no per-use charges make an SSL VPN appliance a key part of a business continuity plan.

Users each get their own specific URL to connect to the SSL VPN. This makes management and user tracking that much easier through VPN management tools. For expanded access, a small client application should download transparently through the browser link after authentication, allowing remote control of desktops and access to more network resources.

Easier Authentication
Since network administrators have no clue as to where employees and partners are, security takes top priority. Appliances sit just downstream from the firewall for added protection. Even better is two-factor authentication so users know the wandering laptop is still under the control of the user who carried it out the door. This level of security usually costs about $100 or more per client, but some SSL VPN appliances include this feature. Of course, the SSL VPN appliance must support the standard third party authentication schemes (LDAP, RADIUS) and integrate with Microsoft's Active Directory and other directory services.

Remote connections assume there's some data payoff at the end of the road. Companies must ensure that their backup system at the office guarantee data files await the remote user. Teasing users with access but without data files is just cruel.

Keep Your Office Open
Providing connection options allows workers to remain productive when working from remote locations. Remote access makes a great job perk for employees need to work from locations outside the office. And when a real problem hits, such as weather that closes down travel in your area, the perk becomes a productivity lifeline and keeps businesses open when other businesses shut down.

Adding up, an SSL VPN appliance will support users more flexibly for less money, be easier to configure than server-based versions, and work with your firewall for added security
Downside: no more bad weather or riot days off work. Upside: business become more disaster proof.

Make it Really Accessible
Companies have often been faced with having to provide network connections to kiosks. The need to connect a first response team arriving at a location without a network. The need to link a group of users to the Internet from a rest stop by the highway.

The T1 or DSL dies – what can users do to restore Internet connectivity immediately? What can they use for a backup?
These questions don't get asked because vendors never had a good answer for them. Why would vendors pose a problem they can't solve?

The Non-Network Network
How about the cellular data network as an answer to the questions most vendors avoid?
This doesn't mean a cell phone is used as a laptop. It means take advantage of 3G data networks provided by every major cell phone service provider. Radio waves reach farther than broadband connections.
Take the instance of a small router/firewall/gateway appliance that includes a slot for a 3G PC Card. When the primary network connection fails, or when a group of users goes where broadband connections remain a rumor, users can still provide network access.

Today, wired data vendors promise WiFi hot spots everywhere, but they were more than a bit optimistic. While WiFi vendors under-delivered, the cellular carriers quietly added high speed data networks to their cell towers over almost all the US.

Off-Grid Yet Managed
TV SWAT teams aren't the only groups that send out a "first response" team that needs communications. Many companies send installation teams, inventory groups, auditors, and overflow support to remote locations. These sites often lack network bandwidth, and sometimes lack network connections of any kind. Even the most mundane situations, such as opening a new remote three person sales office, can use a "connect anywhere" router when the data services provider runs their typical two weeks late for installation.
Companies must check for two critical features: remote management, and speed. Management becomes more important than ever because the remote team will pay less attention to network niceties than a typical remote office. And everyone wants their network to be faster.

But what is the speed that is in question? Anywhere from around 100kbps with GPRS to around 2,000kbps with EV-DO Rev A (best case). A wireless option for the cellular data router makes even more sense by providing more client flexibility (wired or wireless). And if customers need to deploy a network in a park or a parking lot, flexibility is the name of the game.

It may take customers some time to imagine where to use such an appliance, because their thinking has always been limited by available technology. Many companies never considered the advantages of putting networks beyond the reach of, well, networks. Now that connection technology really slips off the leash, customers may find some interesting places to add a secure network router/gateway with 3G access.

Data Access From Anywhere
Many studies point out that only about a third of small and medium companies do a good job backing up their data. Notice the term was "good job" not "great job." The research firm Gartner says only 25 percent of small companies exist in a single location, meaning even the smallest companies need remote data access. Few small and medium sized businesses have a network connection Plan B to use when their network service provider fails them.

Despite user reluctance to help with any backup chores, despite the hassles of mobile and remote users, and despite the fact you may need Internet access where none exists, the show must go on. While it may seem pretentious to call Order Entry and Accounts Receivable "the show," business functions like those keep the house lights on.

Not only can customers keep their data secure and available from anywhere, really anywhere today, you can do it for less money and with more management than ever before. Companies must manage backups, because users won't help. They also must manage network connections between offices and remote employees connecting back to the office. Companies must really manage a temporary network used to keep connections during an outage from your regular network provider, or when deploying a network segment far outside the reach of a broadband connection.

The saying, “you can't measure what you don't manage” remains true. Now companies have options to measure a technology provider’s increased success with file backup, data connections, and business continuity.

Reliable and secure file safety and network access means your business keeps going from more places despite unfortunate situations than ever before. Better file safety and network access management almost always means more cash in hand to measure.

Adopt Managed Appliances
On one level, we've been talking about data file safety and accessing those data files from normal and unusual places for normal and unusual reasons. The fancy term, business continuity, describes the process well: keep businesses running in spite of major floods or minor snow flurries.

On another level, we've been discussing the rise of managed appliances now powerful and intelligent enough to provide data file safety and network access in a wide range of situations. Big server-based applications have their place, but affordable appliances fit more situations and provide more value more flexibly.

The goal: keep your data files safe and stay connected, no matter what from no matter where. Now that small managed appliances handle big intelligent processes, you have more options at more affordable price points to keep your business up and running.