» Dakota Backup FAQs » Transmission Offsite

• Is a WAN connection secure?
  The Dakota Backup service utilizes a WAN to transmit data offsite. All backup data is compressed, de-duplicated and encrypted prior to transmission. Dakota Backup encryption is FIPS 140-2 certified. Additionally, all communication between Dakota Backup software is encrypted with a random encryption key. This is infinitely more secure than many current backup policies, e.g. 3rd party couriers taking tapes offsite, onsite storage where tapes are left in cupboards overnight.
• What happens if the communication line breaks?
  As part of the Dakota Backup solution, software will automatically attempt to reconnect three times at five minute intervals and will continue the backup process at the block level when the communication line is re-established.
• At what point is the data deemed to be backed up offsite?
  The data is backed up in real time, so when the administration console indicates that the backup is complete - it is also an indication that the backup data is offsite.
• Does all of our data get transferred every time a backup is scheduled?
  Only new and unique data will get backed up after the initial backup. Duplicate or unchanged files will not be transmitted.
• During the backup process are bandwidth notifications available?
  Dakota Backup DS-CLIENT can be configured to send notifications if a backup set completes successfully, completes with errors or does not complete. Notifications can be sent via SNMP traps or email notifications. Dakota Backup does have a bandwidth throttle which can be scheduled for certain times of the day. However, there is not an alert available to notify if bandwidth usage exceeds some threshold. Use the bandwidth throttle functionality to cap to that threshold.