Memphia, Tn 9/5/2007 2:11:58 AM
News / Business

GeeksForRelief.com Offers Free Online Data Backup for Hurricane Zones

GeeksForRelief.com has a message for computers everywhere - “Back it up or lose it.”

GeeksForRelief.com is an all-volunteer organization of remote computer data backup service providers located throughout the United States.  The organization was formed in response to past year’s catastrophic storms along the U.S. Gulf Coast with the intent of spreading the word about the importance of data backup - and offering online backup services at no cost to those in danger zones.

“Many businesses and individuals are still not aware of exactly how devastating the loss of computer data can be.” commented Rob Cosgrove, CEO of Remote Backup Systems, Inc., one of the GeeksForRelief.com project sponsors.  “In the aftermath of any catastrophe the trauma can be significantly reduced by business strategies, including critical data backup.” 

As evidence, Cosgrove points to the thousands of businesses that have permanently closed due to the loss of their client database and contact, inventory and supplier data.  According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, as many as 40 percent of businesses hit by a serious natural disaster do not survive.  These facts underscore the need for proper data backup practices, which include having the computer data process be completely automated, encrypted, and stored offsite.

Predictions for this hurricane season are for 15 named storms with four predicted to be strong. Most hurricanes hit the U.S. in August and September with the peak being around September 10.

Those seeking free online data backup services are encouraged to visit www.geeksforrelief.com, where the appropriate software may be downloaded at no cost to the end user.

About GeeksForRelief.com:

GeeksForRelief.com is a consortium of professional remote data backup providers committed to providing free online backup services for businesses and households located in coastal communities throughout the Gulf, Southeastern and Atlantic states.

Online backup service companies taking part in the GeeksForRelief.com project normally charge a recurring monthly fee for their data backup services.  As part of this program, the service providers will provide from 2 Gigabytes to 10 Gigabytes of free online backup space to those in the affected areas for 120 days after the individual or organization activates the service.

Contact: Bettie Scheuerman
GeeksForRelief.com Program Coordinator
Remote Backup Systems, Inc.
901-850-9920