Blogs

Cloud backup is a hot opportunity. But many Managed Service Providers struggle to find the right cloud backup and recovery business partner.

Join us for a Channel Expert Hour on Wednesday February 8^th at 2:00PM EST where two progressive Managed Service Providers will describe how they built their own cloud backup and recovery services powered by Asigra while retaining full control of their own destiny.

Instead of answering to vendor demands, learn how the featured managed service providers developed an integrated business partnership with Asigra and gain valuable business insight on how to build a cloud backup and recovery service. Learn the five key business moves these Managed Service Providers made in the cloud, and the value beyond the software that Asigra provided every step of the way.

Proven Technology

The technology you choose will be the foundation on which your business will be built.  Some important questions to have answered include:

• Do they hold relevant and current industry security certifications?
• What are some of the key differentiators that allow them to stand out in a crowd of competitors?
• How long have they been in business and do they have a vibrant ecosystem?
• Do they provide their partners with sales and marketing resources?

Ability to Control Your Destiny

If you’re unable to run your business the way you want – you’re partnered with the wrong vendor. You shouldn’t have to work under terms and conditions that will ultimately limit your organization from achieving optimal success. You should have the freedom to determine your own pricing, margins and service level agreements.

Zero Channel Conflict

There should be zero channel conflict in a vendor partner program, meaning that the vendor on no level competes with its channel partners. Any time a vendor creates a program that competes directly with the channel on any level, you're going to have a problem.

The added benefit of zero channel conflict is a lead distribution program that provides the channel partner with leads including lead capture, qualifying and distribution.

Relationship Rhythm

Choose a vendor that is committed to helping you achieve your goals and works with you not only as a technology provider but as a business partner . Find a business partner, one that will work with you through a consultative approach to guide and provide you with the materials you’ll need to take your business in the right direction from the  very the start. 

Reputation of the Vendor

How is the vendor viewed in the marketplace? This may be very important to your business, especially when working on large enterprise accounts. Take the following into consideration:

• Has the vendor received any significant accolades from the industry analyst community such as Gartner, Forrester, and IDC?
• What kind of media mentions does the vendor receive and is the general sentiment negative or positive?
• Determine how the vendor’s partner ecosystem would describe their relationship with their vendors.

With your success ultimately tied to that of your vendor partner, it is important to ensure that  their view in the marketplace is aligned with how you want to be viewed as well.

To register for this webinar to learn more about building the right cloud backup partnership and the five tips for success, please click here.

It’s already here and according to a recent survey by Compuware—The International CIO Study on the Impact of IT Consumerization reveals that it is creating blind spots.

• 77% of CIOs worry that further Consumerization of IT will lead to increased business risks
• 64% of CIOs say support for employee mobility is almost impossible due to reliance on external networks, making it much harder to control performance and the end-user experience
• The Consumerization of IT trend is already driving unrealistic expectations around role of IT in 74% of enterprises
• 64% of CIOs say that enterprise mobility projects forging ahead without the full involvement of IT

With the proliferation of social media, and the phenomenon known as “big data”, handheld devices such as tablets and smart phones factor into the equation of an organization’s digital footprint.

 According to Gartner, "Smart phones and tablets represent more than 90 percent of the net new growth in device adoption for the coming four years, and increasing application platform capability across all classes of mobile phones is spurring a new frontier of innovation, particularly where mobile capabilities can be integrated with location, presence and social information to enhance the usefulness."

Information stored on non-traditional endpoint devices is often critical to a company's business operations, but it is often left up to end users to protect and safeguard this data which inherently presents risk. Enterprise-level backup support of these devices is a necessary requirement. A backup platform that includes the ability to support mobile devices will enable you to increase your total addressable market and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

 By design of use, tablets and smart phones will accumulate sensitive personal and business information that must be protected against both malicious theft and accidental loss--a need typically addressed by centrally managed client backup software. However, data from tablet and smart phone users will not reside in the company's central data center, making it difficult for IT administrators to properly back up and safeguard it.

To learn more about the Consumerization of IT and its implications for service providers, click here to access the Cloud Backup Report featuring Gartner Research that features content on why managed service providers need a solution that can back up critical corporate data from desktops to laptops to mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones.

The Consumerization of IT, a hot topic amongst CIOs and Security Officers today,  is defined as the use of technologies that can easily be provisioned by non-technologists.

Aside from all the hype, the Consumerization of IT is a good thing although not without its own problems and challenges.  The ability for users to access new technology and so easily has changed the power dynamics between IT and corporate users, to the IT department’s disadvantage. 

While there are many employees who don’t care about the technology they use; IT can meet the needs of employees as before. But the ones who view technology as an extension of themselves are demanding to  use their preferred technologies regardless of rules and guidelines that say otherwise.

To get first hand insights on the disruptive elements of the Consumerization of IT, hear the keynote address that Steve Duplessie, Founder and Sr. Analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG), delivered at the 2011 Asigra Cloud Backup Partner Summit.  -- Consumerization maybe upsetting the status quo, but it is presenting immense opportunities for Managed Service Providers to provide end-point data protection to both SMB and the Enterprise – as both are challenged with protecting corporate data that is being stored on these mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones.

To learn more about the Consumerization of IT and its implications for service providers, click here to access the Cloud Backup Report featuring Gartner Research that features content on why Managed Service Providers need a solution that can back up critical corporate data from desktops to laptops to mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones.

Join us for a complimentary webinar on January 31^st at 1:00PM EST to learn how to identify and choose a proven cloud backup and recovery platform that protects the entire digital footprint 

In most organizations, data from laptops, tablets and smart phones don’t reside in the company's central data center, making it difficult for IT administrators to properly back up and safeguard it. Information stored on non-traditional endpoint devices is often critical to a company's business operations, but it is often left up to end users to protect and safeguard this data. Adequately addressing these challenges was impossible, given that backup applications for these devices via Cloud Backup, Recovery and Restore (BURR) platforms simply didn't exist – however, that has changed with Asigra Cloud Backup Version 11. 

With a low cost to entry, you could be increasing your total addressable market by offering a cloud backup service to your customers and prospects within weeks that help them protect their critical business data. As the amount of data continues to grow on these mobile devices, there is no better time to deploy a managed cloud backup and recovery service that has the ability to backup, recover and restore the data on these devices.

In this live webcast, Eran Farajun, Executive Vice President, Asigra describes how service providers offering cloud backup services powered by Asigra can help SMBs and Enterprises achieve desired Recovery Time Objectives for their entire digital footprint through a single enterprise cloud backup and recovery solution. 

Attendees will learn how to:

• Deploy a turnkey proven cloud backup and recovery solution quickly and easily achieving faster time to revenue.
• Leverage value delivered beyond the software to scale your cloud backup business.
• Improve your profitability through an optimized administration interface, virtual license manager, network operations control center and multi-tenant support.
• Expand your revenue potential.

To learn more about the Consumerization of IT and its implications for Managed Service Providers, click here to access the Cloud Backup Report featuring Gartner Research that features content on why Managed Service Providers need a solution that can back up critical corporate data from desktops to laptops to mobile devices such as tablets and smart phones. 

We’re excited to announce that registration for the 5^th Annual Asigra Cloud Backup Partner Summit is now available! The invitation-only event will be held on June 11^th – June 13th, 2012 at a new hotel location in Downtown Toronto. This is definitely a “Can’t Miss” event, so make sure to register and save the date in your calendar today!

Here’s why you should attend the Asigra Cloud Backup Partner Summit:

Hands-on experience with the latest Asigra technology 

Test drive new product features in a highly interactive Hands-on-Lab learning environment led by Asigra product experts.

Participate in valuable sales and marketing sessions

These sessions will allow you to take home actionable insights that will help you develop successful innovative strategies and practical tactics to help you market, increase sales and grow your Cloud Backup business powered by Asigra! Hear multiple best practice case studies from partners just like you. The Summit will include lessons learned by your cloud backup peers and mentors to give you a firsthand account of best-practices used to grow and outmarket the competition.

Networking

Leverage the opportunity to gain new market insights and share business outcomes with other seasoned cloud backup professionals

If you thought last year's summit was valuable or if you're new to Asigra's ecosystem or you have not attended before, you will not want to miss next year’s event! Please visit the 2011 Asigra Cloud Backup Partner Summit Website today  to register today!

Want to stay in the know about the Partner Summit via Twitter? Search the #AsigraPartnerSummit hashtag for up-to-date information and key milestones leading up to the event!                

What is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), known between 1901 and 1988 as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) is a measurement standards laboratory, and is a non-regulatory agency of the Unites States Department of Commerce.

NIST solves the science and technology problems of today so that industry and science can produce the improved products, services and technologies of tomorrow. From atomic clocks and online banking to mammograms, cell phones and cloud backup, NIST supports innovation through research, measurements, standards, business services and other programs. 

What does this mean for me?

Standardization has had, and continues to have a major impact on all of our lives, yet most people know little about its effects.  We are all influenced by standards on a daily basis, including our methods of communication, the products we use, how we travel and even what we eat.

Standards permit society to make more efficient use of its resources and allow more effective communication among all parties to particular activities, transactions, or processes.

It’s also important to note that NIST conducts third party independent and rigorous testing of the products and services you use on a daily basis, without interventions from vendors or service providers and without bias.

The National Standards Institute (NIST) issues the FIPS 140 Publication Series to coordinate the requirements and standards for cryptography (secure communication in the presences of third parties) modules that include both hardware and software components.

The FIPS 140-2 standard is an information technology security accreditation program for cryptographic modules produced by private sector vendors (like Asigra) who seek to have their products certified for use in government departments and regulated industries (such as financial and health-care institutions) that collect, store, transfer, share and disseminate sensitive information.  

What does this mean for me?

You can be assured that a product or solution that is FIPS 140-2 has met the stringent third party requirements of  the National Institute of Standards (NIST) and that when you’re data leaves your premises to off-site storage, intermediaries or third parties are completely unable to view you company’s most sensitive information – including your service provider.

To learn more about the National Institute of Standards and FIPS 140-2, please click here.

As it relates to cloud backup, who says security should be a concern? Choose a vendor or service provider that either has the certificate or demonstrates a clear commitment to obtaining it.  To learn more about Asigra Cloud Backupä and to view our FIPS 140-2 certification, please click here.

You’ve got your backup policies and procedures all set up, automated backup scripts are scheduled and your backups are running. Are you immediately under the assumption that everything will be fine?

No matter how sophisticated or comprehensive your backup system is, you’ll never know unless it has been actually tested. Without testing, can you really be sure that your customers’ data is safe? Are you willing to put your career and business on the line?

Let’s look at a specific scenario. Your client has just incurred a significant loss of data due to a fire in one of their office buildings. Their networks are down but they’ve been able to contact you and their primary concern is “How long until we’re back online?”

If you’ve practiced those quarterly “fire drills”, you know exactly what to do when the real fire hits through testing designed to out you and your team through the paces of what business continuity really means. If you are prepared, each team member will know exactly what his or her role will be to get your business on track again. This could include, but not be limited to, retrieving offsite data, ordering replacement hardware and software, and transitioning to your backup hardware.

Best Practices for Testing Backups

• Don’t just randomly check a couple of files! Ensure that you are able to restore entire directories, servers and applications. 
• Make sure to document  the procedure for restoring and/or reinstalling applications, especially those special tips and tricks that will help you get it done faster.
• Test with whichever media you use from your regular backups.
• Do a test restore from a different computer or server.

Disaster Recovery testing should be performed on a regular basis; the exact frequency will ultimately depend on the needs of your customers. However, it is normal for full deployment tests to be performed, at a minimum, on a semi-annual basis. There are of course other trigger points, for example, a change in your infrastructure that may require additional testing. 

Overall, disaster recovery tests are essential to execute and demonstrate, but be cautious and take the correct steps to test your Disaster Recovery plans. To learn more about Disaster Recovery planning, please click here.

Interested in the other ways you can effectively meet the needs of you prospective customers and what they may be looking for from a cloud backup service provider?

Please access the complimentary “What you Need to Know About Cloud Backup Guide” to learn more. 

Often times, service providers pursue the lowest common denominator as a means to what they believe is effectively competing in the marketplace – rock bottom cloud backup prices.

End-users tend to place little importance on backup  for a number of reasons:

• Viewed as a menial low value task
• Backups are an everyday task that just needs to be done
• Recoveries and restores are far less frequent
• Thinking “What’s the worst that could happen?”

All of these beliefs hold true for a vast majority of users until they have to perform an actual recovery of data.

In order to remain competitive, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) cut corners by utilizing cheap software that generally works well, but has weak security measures, poor management and reporting capabilities, and most significantly inadequate recovery and restore assurances.

By choosing compete on price, MSPs race to the bottom of the pack when it comes to QUALITY and VALUE. Who cares about backup if you can’t effectively recover after a disaster?

Deficient Software

In utilizing cheap software, there is much inefficiency that directly affects the level of service and support that MSPs can provide as well as scaling for business growth. Missing elements can include built-in multi-tenancy, hardcore security, itemized customer billing and features for scalability.

It’s also important to choose software that’s been designed specifically for MSPS and for Service Oriented Architectures (SOA).

Here’s what deficient software can get you:

Inability to provide contractual services

• Service Level Agreements
• Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs)
• Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs)
• Effective Services

In addition to being unable to provide contractual services, you suffer losses of your customers, revenues and most importantly your reputation.

Are you interested in additional reasons why most cloud backup service providers fail?

Please join us a webinar that focuses on the use of Asigra Cloud Backup™ with Symantec’s FileStore^TM N8300 NAS appliance. During the free webinar, industry leaders Symantec and Asigra join Marc Staimer, President, Dragon Slayer Consulting to share real-world experiences in supporting service providers and value added resellers (VARs) looking to scale their portfolios and improve the profitability of their cloud backup managed services.

WHO:    Symantec, Asigra and DragonSlayer Consulting

WHEN:    January 18^th at 10:00am PT/1:00 pm ET

The webinar will provide information on building a more secure, efficient and reliable cloud backup managed service leveraging Asigra Cloud Backup and Symantec FileStore N8300. Service provider and VAR attendees will discover how to increase profitability and performance metrics while ensuring that the most demanding service level agreements (SLAs) are met.

The webinar will also cover:

• Channel challenges - going from selling products to services
• The business case for cloud backup
• Why traditional approaches are not suitable for the cloud
• Technology is not enough: How to market and sell cloud backup services
• The key ingredients for success

Don’t miss out on this webinar, to register, please visit:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/744722657 

There is a lot of sentiment in the marketplace that Asigra’s Cloud Backup Software is expensive. We’ve seen a number of different postings in articles, forums, blogs and on Twitter that while Asigra is a great product – it’s just too expensive for the average Managed Services Provider.

Our licensing and pricing model has changed significantly over the past year and we can assure you that Asigra Cloud Backupä is competitively priced based on its features, functionality, scalability and value beyond software.

For new and existing Managed Service Providers (MSPs) focused on data protection, Asigra transforms the way businesses manage and protect their data by delivering market leading cloud backup solutions that seamlessly and efficiently manage, scale and deliver data protection services – and at a reasonable price.

While we are not the cheapest product in the marketplace, we’re definitely one of the leading data backup and recovery software providers and were recently named in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Disk-Based Backup/Recovery. 

If you haven’t engaged with us recently and would like to know more about Asigra Cloud Backup Version 11 and our new pricing model, please click here.

Concerns about security are one of the more prominent reasons why organizations choose not to adopt cloud services. However, we’ve seen a number of cloud vendors and service providers create and adhere to more comprehensive security capabilities as a means of getting organizations to adopt cloud-based services for complex and business sensitive processes such as data backup and Recovery.

There are many considerations that you’ll need to make before deciding to move your data to the cloud. It’s one of the most important things you’ll find yourself tasked with when make the decision to further investigate whether or not the cloud is right for you and your business.

Here are some of the things you should consider:

Data Encryption

There are two things to contemplate when it comes to data encryption. Is data encrypted once it is uploaded and most importantly, is it encrypted when in transit to a remote site? The answer to both of these questions should be yes. You may find information out there that says while there is some risk should you ever forget your online backup password, so make it important to choose a password that you and another person on your team will remember. The way Asigra works is that we provide key escrow management and password support to ensure the data contained in customer vaults aren’t trapped should the backup administrator have a temporary bout with amnesia.

Securing data in transit should also be of high priority. While the risk is extremely low it’s not impossible for data to be accessed via transit back to the service provider’s location.

Security Certifications

There are a number of cloud security and certification safeguards (FIPS 140-2, SAS 70/ISO27001, etc.) in place to document and control how data is handled and provides guidelines as to what a cloud provider and cloud customer’s rights are.

When you engage with an MSP, ask them about their security certifications. If you don’t recognize or unfamiliar with their certifications it’s tantamount that you do your research to understand what those certifications mean for you and your business.

Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is an agency of the U.S Department of Commerce that develops and promotes measurement, standards and technology. Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) are issued by NIST.

FIPS 140-2 is the most current security requirement for encryption. It is not easy to obtain this certification and takes years of rigorous testing. If your prospective service provider is using a cloud backup platform that is FIPS 140-2 certified, you can rest assured that your data is safe at rest and in-flight.

Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70 (SAS 70)

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) created the Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70 certification (SAS 70) to help customers know that their data center provider has effective internal controls in place for managing the design, implementation and execution of customer information.

With your organization’s assets residing in a SAS 70 data center you can ensure rigorous controls standards that demand accountability and transparency are in place.

Using a Managed Service Provider to provide secure, encrypted offsite disk based data storage at a remote datacenter and security certifications, your business can protect itself from both data loss and the exposure of sensitive company and client data. The MSP becomes your partner and assists you with all aspects of protecting your company’s business critical data.

The most important thing to remember is that while you may outsource the backup of your organization’s data to a service provider that you can’t outsource responsibility along with it.  With a little due diligence – security in the cloud is never an issue. Check back week for Part Two where we will discuss multi-tenancy to ensure you’re the wrong hands never have access to your data and service level agreements (SLAs) and what you need to look for to protect yourself.