There are lots of online service providers offering offsite data backup services for both home and business users. However like all products and services some are better than others, here are some simple questions that you should ask your offsite back service provider.
Remember cheap is not always the best when it comes to your data.

1. Where is my data stored?
There’s no point in your data being stored in another country if you need access to it quickly, your provider should have a local in country repository with the option to send you the data on an external drive if necessary.

2. Is my data safe?
Your data should be encrypted with a set of encryption keys know only to you, additionally the transport of the encrypted data should be sent over a secure https tunnel.
3. Are you registered with the relevant industry bodies which govern the handling of third party data?
Check that the company you are looking to trust with your data is registered as a data handler in accordance with the data protection act.
4. What support options are available?
phone, email, onsite etc
5. How quickly can I get my data back in the event of a disaster?
Same day, next day, next week!
6. Are the backup services monitored?
Aside from you the end customer monitoring your backups, does the provider monitor them as well, and will they notify you if there is a problem.
7. How long have you been in business?
Six month, six days, six years?
8. Do you own and operate all of your own equipment?
Many “backup providers” are really only reselling other companies services, or worse still operating as one man bands from their home or office. Make sure your servers are in a proper data center and that the data is stored on redundant hardware.
9. Are there adequate terms and conditions posted on their website as to how their service operates and who is responsible for what?

10. Have they adequate Liability cover in place?