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 Corp. provides dependable secure off-site computer information storage with a focus on functionality and convenience for the end user. DataFort has been adopted by IT support companies, ISPs and software development companies to power their own backup services. DataFort’s proprietary software works onsite, within the security of the client’s firewall, to shepherd company data via the Internet to a secure data complex. DataFort provides enterprise level disaster recovery services to the both micro and SMB market. The software uses 256-bit encryption to encode data on the customer premises before sending it over the Internet to a high security data complex. The service includes a remote administration system that monitors conditions that may impact on backup events. This system can be accessed by customers or their advisors through a secure Web site. The Premium DataFort Managed Service also includes account monitoring and proactive management from the DataFort N.O.C. DataFort provides a scalable service with customers ranging from micro businesses through to listed corporate entities . DataFort Ltd. is based in Guildford, Surrey UK. For more information, visit www.datafort.co.uk. DataFort Corporation’s sales office is based in New York. www.datafort.com.
About PCFort
PCFort is an easy, reliable offsite backup service for the SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) market and concerned consumers. By creating a PCFort account on their desktop or laptop computer, customers, will have their data automatically backed up to a off-site high security data center. PCFort is a high security backup service benefiting from the same security protocols and features as those used by the premium DataFort Backup Service. All of the data centers used to contain the company’s servers adhere to the same strict protocols developed by DataFort’s Chief Technical Officer Gavin Smith. These features include 24x7 security and engineering personnel, recorded camera monitoring of all building and internal access points. Diesel powered generators, multiple bandwidth providers and multiple fire and smoke detection systems. DataFort is headquartered in New York City.
Further information on DataFort – including interviews, reviews, users stories and site visits – is available from:
Catherine Carlson
Trylon Communications, Inc
.212-725-2295, ext. 28