Backup & Disaster Recovery

The Problem

Here’s what typically happens: A business sets up backup software years ago, it runs quietly in the background, and everyone assumes it’s working. Then a drive fails, or ransomware hits, or an employee deletes a folder they shouldn’t have. They go to restore the backup. It’s either corrupted, incomplete, or hasn’t actually been running for months.

We’ve seen this more than once. It’s always worse than the business expected.

The other version is more gradual: no backup at all, just a prayer that nothing goes wrong. That works fine until it doesn’t.

Ransomware attacks on small businesses have increased every year for the past decade. Hardware fails without warning. People delete things by accident. A backup that’s never been tested is not a backup. It’s a false sense of security.

What We Cover

Workstation Backup

• Automated daily backup of all company workstations
• Cloud storage with verified copies
• File-level and image-level backup options
• Retention policies configured to your needs (30, 60, 90 days)

Server Backup

• Nightly full or incremental server backups
• Off-site cloud replication
• Application-consistent backups for databases and email servers
• Restore testing included on Professional and Premium tiers

Disaster Recovery Planning

• Documented recovery plan: who does what, in what order, with what tools
• Defined RTO (Recovery Time Objective) and RPO (Recovery Point Objective) based on your actual business requirements
• Quarterly restore tests on Premium tier. We actually pull data back from backup to confirm it works
• Incident playbook so your team knows what to do before we arrive

What We Protect Against

• Ransomware encryption
• Hardware failure (drives, servers)
• Accidental deletion
• Office disasters (fire, flood, power surge)
• Malicious or accidental data modification

Pricing

Add-On (for Essentials tier or standalone)

Pricing varies based on data volume and retention requirements. We’ll quote you exactly after a brief discovery conversation.

Included in Managed IT Tiers

• Essentials ($99/user/mo): Backup available as add-on at rates above
• Professional ($159/user/mo): Automated cloud backup with restore verification included
• Premium ($259/user/mo): Full disaster recovery plan, quarterly tested restores, documented RTO/RPO

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Why Gladiator IT

The differentiator here is simple: we test restores. Most providers configure backup software and walk away. We run scheduled restore tests, document the results, and flag anything that doesn’t work before you need it.

We also integrate backup into the broader picture. If you’re on our Professional or Premium tier, backup is part of the monthly reporting we send you. You’ll know the backup ran, when it ran, and when we last verified it.

For clients in regulated industries (healthcare, financial services, legal), backup and disaster recovery aren’t optional. They’re part of compliance. Our sister company, Unique Compliance Services, handles formal PCI and IT security compliance. We coordinate between the two when clients need both.

What You Can Expect

Week 1: We audit what you currently have: existing backup software, storage locations, last known restore test, and retention settings. You’ll get a written summary of your current coverage and gaps.

Weeks 2-3: We deploy backup agents, configure cloud storage, set retention policies, and run the first full backup. We verify the first restore before we consider it live.

Ongoing: Monthly backup reports included in your managed IT reporting. Restore tests run on the schedule appropriate to your tier. If something fails, we catch it before you need the data.

Q: How often do you test restores?

A: We verify backup completion and integrity on every run. Full restore tests (where we actually pull data back from the backup) are run quarterly on Premium tier. On Professional tier, we do verification and spot-test restores. On Essentials or the standalone add-on, we’ll schedule restore tests at your request or annually at minimum.

Q: What’s the difference between backup and disaster recovery?

A: Backup is the data copy. Disaster recovery is the plan for what happens when everything goes wrong. DR includes your documented procedures, your recovery time targets, your communication chain, and your tested playbook. A backup with no recovery plan is like having a spare tire with no jack. Both matter.

Q: How long does it take to restore after a ransomware attack?

A: It depends on the scope of the attack and the size of your data. With a current, verified backup and a documented recovery plan, most small business recoveries take between 4 and 24 hours. Without a tested backup, it can take days, and some businesses never fully recover. This is why we test restores rather than assume.

Q: Does this meet HIPAA or PCI compliance requirements for backup?

A: Our backup configurations align with common compliance frameworks. For formal HIPAA or PCI compliance documentation and auditing, we coordinate with Unique Compliance Services. If you’re in a regulated industry, mention it when you fill out the form and we’ll scope accordingly.

Q: What if we already have backup software in place?

A: We’ll audit what you have. If it’s working well, we’ll manage and monitor it. If it has gaps (missing systems, unverified restores, inadequate retention), we’ll recommend what needs to change. We’re not going to replace something that works just to bill you for something new.

Don’t Wait for the Incident

The time to set up backup and disaster recovery is before you need it. Once ransomware hits or a drive fails, your options narrow fast.

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Or add backup and DR to an existing managed IT plan: [See Managed IT Plans]