If your "to do" list is like that of many businesses, backing up your computer files is unlikely to rank among your top 10 action items. That is, of course, unless you have suffered a major data loss. If you have, setting up data backup services will jump to the top of your list – here's what you need to know to hire a dependable backup service.

Almost any company that keeps customer, financial, or project data on computers is a good candidate for backup services. Remote backup services are even more critical for some specialized situations:

1. Small companies with no dedicated IT staff
2. Companies with employees who travel frequently or work from home
3. Companies with multiple locations

Furthermore, even if you do regularly back up your files, chances are you don't store the data in a secure off-site location. While on-site backups are better than no backups at all, you're not really protecting yourself against catastrophic data loss. Remote backup services safely store your data offsite without requiring the purchase of any special technology.

How backup services work
Essentially, remote backup services provide an automated way to back up and store your computer files off-site. All you need is an Internet connection. After an initial backup of all the files you want to protect, the service automatically backs up any changed and new files incrementally. Backups can occur nightly or even on a real-time basis, depending on how critical the data is and how much you want to pay.

Your data should be sent via an encrypted connection to ensure privacy and security. In most cases, the service can't even open your files: all they can do is store the locked data. Ideally, the data will be stored redundantly: at more than one physical facility, preferably at geographically separated locations.

How to choose a backup service
When evaluating backup services, the first thing you should check is that their software can work with the operating systems your use. Once this basic requirement is met, look for software that is easy to install and configure.

Check how long it would take to identify and download a file that you need to recover. In fact, you should make sure you restore a backed-up file before you really need it: you'll want to ensure that the system works as advertised.

To ensure that only authorized users can access your files, ask about how users are authenticated. You should be comfortable with the steps the service takes to ensure the appropriate person is requesting a copy of your backup. In addition, there should be protections against anyone overwriting your backed up files.

How much will you pay for backup services?
Prices vary from $10 to hundreds of dollars per month. A rule of thumb is $1 per GB: $10/month for 10 GB of storage is a common starting point. you'll be able to add more storage to your account as you need.

You may also incur a few other fees: $50 to $200 initial setup and $10 to $100 per user license, for example. When comparing backup services, make sure you get a complete picture of what your startup and ongoing costs will be so you can draw an accurate comparison.

It's a relatively small cost for something so critical. Ready to start shopping for remote backup services?