We have been approached by a couple of our clients to use the servers that their sites are on for storing data files so that they have off-site storage for their critical business files. Our concern is security. We are currently using Alabanza...so far so good...and are using shared servers. We believe this could be a lucrative venture...but as hosting is not our strong suit and our technical expertise in regard to server operation is not what you would call high end...just not sure of this idea. Any thoughts would be certainly appreciated.:confused:

Data Storage is definatly becoming a high end service. I would say that to run it off a shared server would be insecure. If the information is that critical you don't want someone else to have access to it. If its an option for you, I would suggest getting a dedicated server. In which you have total control over.

Someone else may have a better idea, I am far from an expert in Data Storage companies, however that would seem the best step.

Yes high-end is right. We just read this morning of a 1 billion dollar NOC that is being built in Alaska just for the purpose of data storage. We really don't want to just turn our back on this opportunity. We just need to get educated on the subject. We are discussing the dedicated server option. We would need a managed server though...we just don't have the in-house tech ability or time to do it ourselves.

I don't really know about this, but it might be nice to have 2 dedicated servers at different NOCs so in case one server or NOC goes out you still have the other one, and do lots of back ups!!