When choosing a back-up service provider, here are some issues to consider:

1. Do you have special security needs involving regulated data? If you have medical, financial, educational or other sensitive files, what security and encryption protocols are available for your protection?
2. Where, exactly, is the data being stored? Potentially, the location of the back-up can be anywhere in the world, including sites outside the country where you live. How safe is your data if it is located beyond your borders?
3. How long will it take to get your data back, if needed, from the back-up provider? Remember: large sets of data may take many hours to download via the Internet. Is the service accessible 24/7?
4. Is the back-up service a viable business that will be around for as long as you need them? During the last economic downturn, several data storage firms went belly up and left customers in the lurch without access to their files