External HDD Primary Option for Backup - Survey of Customers who lost valuable data

Most businesses and consumers have a backup solution in place.

Results from a survey of customers who lost valuable data confirm that traditional external HDDs still prevail as the primary option for backup
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The majority of businesses and consumers are taking steps to backup their data, but unintentional gaps in protocols continue to prove costly. 86% of respondents had a backup solution in place at the time of data loss. Of those respondents who had a backup solution, 16% currently backup to the cloud, 58% use an external HDD and 20% implement a tape/NAS solution.

With 48% of respondents backing up their data on a daily basis, why are companies still losing data? Minor oversights or an inadvertently non-functioning backup can render backup procedures ineffective.

This year's data shows that of those who had a backup in place at the time of data loss:

• 22% describe their backup solution as not operating correctly
• 21% report their device was not included in backup procedures
• 21% say their backup was not current, reducing the likelihood of retrieving relevant data

It's no longer enough to have a backup solution where you hope for the best, as survey results indicate year-over-year, conducting backups is just one step in the entire backup strategy. Regularly ensuring your backup solution works effectively and the data is accessible is also essential.

Obstacles to Backup Adoption
Among the 528 respondents across North America, Europe and Asia, over half (54%) of people who did not have a backup solution in place cite time to research and administer as their primary reason for not seeking a backup solution (up 4% from 2015). However, 7% fewer people in 2016 (24%) report the expense of a backup solution as their primary reason for not leveraging a backup. Other findings include a 6% increase in the number of survey participants who report daily backups this year (48%).

As storage devices are packing more and more data into smaller and more complex systems - which not only requires IT teams to dedicate significant time to actually backup the data, but even more time to verify the backups worked properly - IT teams face an impressive balancing act.

Additional Statistics
Additional findings from the 2016 survey include a 6% increase in the number of survey participants who report daily backups this year (48%), and almost no changes in the numbers of people who report weekly (26%), monthly (22%) and annual (3%) backups.

When asked how often they test or validate their backups, only 28% report weekly tests (down from 35% last year). However, exactly half of respondents said they validate monthly - an increase of 14% from 2014. Only 14% claim to never test backups, which is down from a survey-high of 20% last year.

Take the time to invest in a backup solution and set a backup schedule for all identified devices and media

• Ensure that backups are running regularly in accordance with the determined schedule
• Check backup reports for errors or failure
• Test backups on a regular basis to validate that data has been accurately captured and files are intact

Sphere 3D SnapSync: Enterprise File Synchronization and Share Software: Starts at $1,795 for private cloud bundle with SnapServer appliance with first year of SnapSync licenses for minimum of 25 users.

Sphere 3D Corp. announced SnapSync, a secure, private, and fast file sharing software product for the enterprise and the SMB.

It uses peer-to-peer data distribution technology, runs on the company's SnapServer and cloud-based SnapCLOUD storage products, and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS clients.

The SnapSync integrated offering for private and hybrid cloud storage deployments enables users to synchronize, share and access files and folders of any size from anywhere on any device - regardless of the storage limit of the target client device. The newly-released and advanced service offerings are delivered at a fraction of the cost of typical public cloud-based 'box' storage products. More important, SnapSync provides security features and sophisticated centralized IT control of client data while providing immediate DR and backup. 

"At San José State University's Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, we had specific criteria for the security of our data as well as a need for a robust backup and DR infrastructure. Our faculty and staff store large amounts of research data and protected student data on their office machines," said Malu Roldan, associate dean of undergraduate programs, College of Business. "By having a secure and redundant node in the peer-to-peer network, our users have been able to selectively and automatically sync key sensitive data while being assured that it is well protected and can be quickly replicated should there be a glitch anywhere in our network. I am pleased to say that we have been able to use SnapSync to address these stringent requirements." 

"We have designed SnapSync to not only make it available for new customers, but to also extend its capabilities to the large number of Snap storage units that have been shipped to companies across the globe," said Eric Kelly, CEO, Sphere3D. "Our go-to-market strategy and tactics will continue to leverage our increasingly large installed base, which will accelerate adoption of our integrative offering. Additionally, we will continue targeting new vertical markets, like education, that demand a high level of security, flexibility and world-class service." 

According to a market study from Osterman Research, 75% of IT decision makers and influencers are concerned about the level of use of consumer file sync and share tools within their organizations, and consider their lack of security and IT management control to be a major problem. For example, popular cloud file storage products allow the user to send an email link to share their files, which enables the recipient to access data that can be forwarded again and again, and allows that data to easily be captured by non-approved parties. 

"IT decision makers are frustrated with the lack of centralized control for corporate data landing in the Cloud, which continues to increase with mobile workforces that use their personal devices for work tasks. With SnapSync, the originator of the file share authorizes access to other parties, enabling improved data control and a content IT manager," said Mark Bowker, analyst, ESG. "SnapSync's security and control features like encrypted keys, provide the document originator the ability to remove access for a particular user if the access is no longer required. This ensures the data remains secure within the enterprise." 

Most competing storage systems only backup on a periodic basis - daily, weekly, etc. - and information can take days or weeks to be retrieved by the equipment provider following a system meltdown. Organizations leveraging SnapSync private cloud benefit from fast DR and BC with almost complete recovery of that data if they are synchronized with the company's central Snap storage-based infrastructure. This is made possible by the Snap storage site-to-site continuous replication features that help ensure the latest data is always backed up, recoverable and available. 

"In today's agile business world, enterprise users are looking for always-on, cloud-integrated, mobile-ready and secured access of corporate information without always requiring a VPN connection. SnapSync, along with our Snap storage products, provides enterprises and SMBs with a value proposition that features the lowest TCO, most secure and most scalable configuration to share and store data, with the knowledge that if there's a critical system failure they can be up and running within minutes with a close to zero RPO," noted Nilesh Patel, VP, product management and marketing, Sphere 3D. He concluded: "We believe this is a game changer for companies that are looking for the most versatile and secure environment while still meeting the mobility requirements of their workforces."

Sphere 3D (Overland Storage and Tandberg Data) complete $20 million debt financing

Sphere 3D Corp., parent company of Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, has entered into a $20 million debt financing, consisting of a $10 million revolving credit facility and a $10 million term loan facility, with Opus Bank.

Eric Kelly, chairman and CEO, Sphere 3D, commented: "We are coming off a year where we have undertaken a significant transformation and have positioned the company for growth in 2016. In preparing for this growth, we are excited to have the opportunity to partner with Opus Bank, whose strength, leadership and experience in working with leading technology companies, provides us with the necessary foundation to capitalize on our opportunities."

Kevin McBride, senior MD and head of the technology banking division at Opus Bank, stated: "Sphere 3D has developed differentiated hybrid cloud solutions and partnered with leading global technology companies to help organizations modernize their IT infrastructure in a flexible and affordable way."

He added: "The senior debt solution provided by Opus Bank is an example of Opus' technology experience and capability to deliver needed financing to middle-market technology companies like Sphere 3D. Opus is pleased to have the opportunity to become Sphere 3D's lead commercial bank."
Opus Bank's technology banking division serves later stage, venture-backed, private equity, and public middle-market technology companies that focus on IP, software, hardware, and IT services.