Online Backup New Zealand

Following on from a very successful relationship with the medial industry, Nexus has introduced a computer backup service specifically designed for schools.

In Wellington, we have partnered with DTSL to supply, service and install the Nexus backup system. So far, interest has been very strong with many enquiries having been received since the launch. During the next 12 months, it is intended that all New Zealand schools will have the service made available to them.

There are a number of common questions that are often asked. Here are the answers to some of those common questions.

Why do schools need Nexus?

The Privacy Act requires that confidential information be appropriately protected. Most manual systems (CDs, Tapes, USB Flash etc can all be easily lost, misplaced and accessed)

Fire is a leading cause of data loss in New Zealand schools. Unfortunately, more than 500 schools are affected by fire every year, with more than 65% being attributed to arson.

Financial loss as a result of data loss has a huge impact on any business. Schools are unique in their funding constraints and therefore protection from unexpected loss is paramount. Typically, insurance will cover hardware, but not the cost of replacing data.

Automation is critical to the running of any backup system. Systems that rely on human intervention frequently fail. Outsourcing backup to experts ensures that the system functions reliably and is professionally monitored.

Affordable systems are important for schools with limited budgets. Nexus for Schools is available from just $2.95 per day.

Minimise downtime by having data immediately accessible. No need to phone an IT company or retrieve data from a portable device. All backup data can be immediately downloaded from the Nexus servers.
Who does Nexus currently work with?
For the past three years, Nexus has worked closely with the medical industry as well as the general business sector. We have developed many partnerships and relationships with medical organisations including:

• The New Zealand Medical Association
• Pegasus health, Canterbury
• Practice Managers & Administrators Ass’n
• The Pharmacy Guild
• Unichem, Amcal & Life pharmacies
• Canterbury Rural PHO
• NZ Private Physiotherapists Association

How secure is the information?

Nexus upholds high levels of security to ensure that your information is in the best hands. Nexus’s systems include:

All information is highly encrypted before it even leaves your premises.
Nexus staff have no direct access to the data. Only you have access to it.
Information is double-backed up to two secure locations.
Our Data Centres are “Tier 1” facilities with sophisticated security systems.

Do I need to consult my IT company?

No, you don’t usually need to consult your IT company because the Nexus backup system does not interfere with their service to you.

Our system simply extracts a backup copy of your information and streams it to our data centres where it is stored for later retrieval.

Do we need to invest in hardware?

The Nexus backup system does not require you to buy any new hardware. The system is a managed service which we monitor. All you need is a broadband Internet connection.
How hard it is to get data back?
Data can be downloaded directly with your password or phone our 24 hour helpdesk for professional support.

Is Nexus compatible with my systems?

Yes, the Nexus backup system is designed to be compatible with virtually all software applications and systems, including:

• MUSAC
• Microsoft Office
• Exchange Server & all Email applications
• SQL, Oracle, Access databases
• Payroll Systems
• Files, Documents, Spreadsheets
• Financials. Quicken, MYOB

What is involved in setting it up?

Nexus takes care of all of the installation requirements. This usually consists of a Nexus technician spending about one hour onsite installing and configuring the system.

If you have large amounts of data (exceeding 10GB), then it will be seed-loaded to a portable device and taken to our data centre. Following the seed-load all backups are incremental and only changed data is backed up.

Will the backups affect our internet?

No, only changed data is backed up, so the amount of data transmitted daily is minimal. Further, the backups usually take place after hours so cause no interference with normal activities. If backups are required during normal hours of business, they work in the background so as not to affect anyone.

How do I find our more?
For more information about Nexus for Schools, please phone a consultant on 0800 14 11 14.

A free consultation and assessment service is available on request from at www.nexusdata.co.nz/free_backup_assessment/

Nexus has recently launched “Nexus for Schools”, a fully customised Computer Backup system designed to fully automate the process of backing up student records, databases (such as Musac). Nexus is more secure, reliable and efficient than other systems. Being automatic and monitored, it does not rely on staff or technicians to operate the system.

Summary of the service

The Nexus Backup System automates the process of backing up important computer records and transferring them to a secure off-site location.

Nexus software is installed on servers or computers and schedules are set to automatically back them up. This information is transmitted via a secure Internet connection using an existing DSL/Broadband connection to the Nexus Backup Servers. The Christchurch Data Facility is fully secured and monitored by trained support technicians.

Schools have full access to their information and can restore all or part of it at any time, with a unique encryption key.

The benefit to Schools

• Protection of student / staff information. By law, the Privacy Act requires this.
• Protection from financial loss.
• Minimised down-time by having readily available access to computer information.
• Provides the confidence of knowing that data is backed up correctly every day.
• Automates the backup process. Nexus requires no human intervention.
• Fully monitored. Daily emails are sent to notify of successful backups or problems.
• Protection from Human Error, Hardware Failure, Theft, Fire or Natural Disaster.

How secure is it?

Student Information and other data is encrypted before it leaves the computer. It is then transferred to a Secure Data Facility; where it is stored in its encrypted state behind a managed firewall.  The Facility is only accessible by authorised personnel and has around-the-clock monitoring. Information is also backed up to a second Secure Data Facility in another location. Nexus uses commercial level encryption for storage and transfer. Nobody else has access to the stored data—not even Nexus staff.

Nexus Data Security—about the company

Nexus is a Christchurch-based company which has specialised in secure computer backup for the Medical sector for the past three years. Nexus is depended upon by many of the country’s Doctors, Pharmacists and Primary Health Organisations.

More recently, the service has been expanded to accommodate other sectors including Schools, financial institutions and general business. Nexus provides nationwide service and support through a network of over 100 certified technicians. The Nexus service is hassle free, meaning specially trained technicians install it without staff having to learn anything new. Service and support is by way of a free call number and email, ensuring help is always available when needed.

More information is available at www.nexusdata.co.nz

I’m frequently bewildered by the way business owners put complete faith in a $15 device to protect their business from certain failure. I’m talking about those little USB Flash drives – often referred to as “pen drives”.

So what is your data worth? Imagine if you lost all record of your accounts receivable… If you didn’t know who owed you money and how much, you would have no hope of recovering it. Further, imagine the cost of man-hours if you had to re-enter your customer database, spreadsheets or documents. The reality is, many businesses suffer greatly from the cost of data loss. It is very common and the outcome is usually devastating. Statistically (according to a 2007 Imation survey), 60% of businesses that suffer complete data loss will close their doors within 6 months of the incident.

So, the cost of your data? In most cases – everything!

Pen drives are a great, cheap way of transporting your family photos around or maybe to share video and letters with a friend. To get the best prices on USB Pen drives, check out Price Spy. But, if you’re going to use these devices – remember what they are for. They are not a suitable media for storing your critical business data. They are easily lost and damaged, not to mention stolen.

There are a huge array of backup devices that are just as dubious as the Pen Drive. Portable hard drives, tapes, cartridges, CDs, DVD’s etc. All of these devices carry the same risks as they have inherent risks of losing data. Many of our customers are in the medical sector. Would you want your private medical records to go home with someone on a portable USB device? I certainly don’t.

Welcome to the Online Backup New Zealand blog on blogtown. This blog is dedicated to all things associated with data security and online backup (as well as other methods of backup).

The blog is authored by Peter Thomas, Director of Nexus Data Security as well as other members of staff who will contribute their knowledge from time to time. The blog comes with all of our biases as we are a commercial company. However, as New Zealand’s largest provider of online backup and associated internet security services, we think we are well qualifies to comment.

For more information about the company, services and Online Backup in general, please visit the corporate website at www.nexusdata.co.nz