hardhat

1.1 - Why should I backup online?
1.2 - How will the first backup take place?
1.3 - How is my data stored?
1.4 - How fast does my internet connection have to be?
1.5 - How long will my backups take?
1.6 - Can I backup multiple machines on one account?
1.7 - How does the scheduled backup of my data occur?
1.8 - Is there a limit to how much data I can back up?
1.9 - What platforms do you support?
1.10 - What is the difference between Hardhat Home and Hardhat Business?
1.11 - Does Hardhat provide services other than backup?
1.12 - Are you available 24 hours?
1.13 - I really like Hardhat, can I become a reseller?

1.1 - Why should I backup online?
Online backup with Hardhat increases the security of your data whilst reducing your workload and stress. The scheduled backups are fast and automatic, which puts Hardhat Backup a cut above conventional methods such as tape. Furthermore, having your data available online means that - should the need arise - you have access to it from anywhere in the world.
 
1.2 - How will the first backup take place?
The first backup will depend on whether you have opted to take advantage of our Express Startup Service. This service aims to assist you in installing and configuring the Hardhat Backup software, as well as conducting your first backup. There are two levels available to cater for different business and data requirements: Remote Startup and Remote & Seeded Startup. The level you choose will affect the type of initial backup - we will remotely seed or send an external USB hard drive according to the level of service selected. Further details on this can be found in the Personal Service section of Hardhat Overview. Of course, you are more than welcome to perform the first backup yourself using the Hardhat backup software. You are able to do this free of charge.
 
1.3 - How is my data stored?
Your data is encrypted (using the same 256-bit encryption your bank uses) and stored on one of our state-of-the-art RAID data arrays. The RAID arrays feature 'hot spares' (backup hard drives) which are automatically used in the event of drive failure. The data is further replicated between two physically separate data centres so that if something were to happen to one, all your data is readily available from the other site. The data centres are connected to the outside world by multiple superfast internet connections, allowing vast amounts of information to be uploaded and downloaded every second. This makes Hardhat the only choice for secure and flexible online storage.
 
1.4 - How fast does my internet connection have to be?
You do not need to have a superfast connection in order to use Hardhat backup software. We do suggest a minimum of broadband with 256kbps upload in order to get the most from our software. You could use dialup, but people may point and laugh.
 
1.5 - How long will my backups take?
The quantity of backup data and speed of connection will both affect the time it will take to transfer your backup data to the data centre. The following table should offer some indication.

1.6 - Can I backup multiple machines on one account?
Yes. Hardhat Business (OBM) allows backup from any number of computers and servers, however you will need to make sure that your data provision is sufficient to backup all the data. Hardhat Home (ACB) will only allow data to be backed up from one machine.
 
1.7 - How does the scheduled backup of my data occur?
The scheduled backup of your data occurs automatically via the Hardhat Backup software. It can be scheduled by either you or the Hardhat team thanks to the highly customisable design. For Hardhat Business, nightly backups from the server are typical as the office is usually at its quietest and the servers are always on. The software can also be installed on a client desktop and run from there.
 
1.8 -Is there a limit to how much data I can back up?
Hardhat does not impose limits on the amount of data that our clients can back up, you simply need to ensure that you have purchased a large enough data provision for your backup files. As a thank you to those who backup more data with us we reduce the cost per GB for high-end users. Please click here to consult our pricing table.
 
1.9 - What platforms do you support?
Hardhat Business (Online Backup Manager) supports all leading operating systems which can run Java2 Runtime Environment 1.4.1 or higher, including Windows, Linux and Mac devices. The Hardhat A-Click Backup supports Windows and Mac only. For a full list of all the platforms we support, please consult the Hardhat User’s Guide located in the Downloads section of the Hardhat Backup portal, here.

Furthermore, Hardhat provides modules specially designed for backing-up common database applications, including Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Lotus Notes/Domino, Oracle and MySQL. This allows you to backup all these databases to a professional level as recommended by the respective software vendors, without having to understand the background technicalities. If your in-house databases and applications are not listed here don't worry - through simple scripting, our extensible and easily configurable command line tools enable you to add custom backup logics to the basic backup operation.

1.10 - What is the difference between Hardhat Home and Hardhat Business?
To discover the difference between the Home and Business solutions please click here.
 
1.11 - Does Hardhat provide services other than backup?
I am pleased you asked. Hardhat's parent company - Centric IT - provides a wealth of IT infrastructure and support services. If you are keen to find out more, please visit Centric IT's website.
 
1.12 - Are you available 24 hours?
The Hardhat team is typically available during office hours - however Hardhat Backup will protect your data 24 hours-a-day. Should you need 24 hour coverage the Hardhat team is more than happy to discuss this possibility.
 
1.13 - I really like Hardhat, can I become a reseller?
Of course, we’re really proud of our backup solution and are always keen to help protect as many businesses as possible. Our reseller programme is an invaluable way for us to reach this goal. We believe in the importance of good online backup and think this technology could benefit many. If you are interested in finding out more, then please email us at: resellers@hardhatbackup.com

2.1 - Is my data secure?
2.2 - What guarantees do you provide that my data is secure?
2.3 - Do you have access to my data?
2.4 - Tell me more about the encryption key
2.5 - What happens if I lose my encryption key?
2.6 - What happens if I lose my Hardhat Backup account password?
2.7 - What happens if a data centre server is offline?

2.1 - Is my data secure?
Hardhat Backup offers a field-leading data security solution. Your data is encrypted before leaving your computer and is then transmitted directly to our servers via Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). SSL is a cryptographic communications protocol that encrypts the data communication from workstation to server. This means that your backup data is doubly encrypted! Furthermore, unlike solutions provided by our competitors, Hardhat backs up all encrypted data to two separate offsite data centres. Although extremely unlikely, if someone were to obtain your data they would not be able to break the encryption. These features ensure that our clients have total peace of mind.

2.2 - What guarantees do you provide that my data is secure?
Although our clients are primarily responsible for the security of their data we provide many layers of protection to ensure your data is as safe as possible. It's not just our software that's designed with security in mind, our physical data centres must also prevent access by unscrupulous forces. Our primary data centre was chosen for its superior security measures:

• CCTV (all-angles, recorded & security monitored)
  
• Proximity card readers (unique ID cards whose movements are monitored)
  
• Intruder detectors (Passive Infrared Sensors & door contacts)
  
• Fire detection and suppression (featuring Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus, VESDA)
  
• Locked racks and cages
• Around-the-clock security (including Christmas and New Year's Eve)
  
• Furthermore, all deliveries and visits must be cleared - unannounced visitors are turned away without exception.

With such measures you can rest assured that Hardhat Backup offers the most powerful and secure business and home backup solutions available today. If you would like to know more about our data centres then please do get in touch.

2.3 - Do you have access to my data?
No. The security of your data is of paramount importance to us, which is why we make sure that only you have access to your data. Our advanced encryption ensures that access is only granted with your unique personal encryption key. Unfortunately, this also means that should you lose the key you will not be able to regain access to all data encrypted with that key. On the bright side, at least this proves the security works! If you are concerned that you may forget your key you can always provide us with a copy, which will be held by our solicitor. This optional service is charged at £75 for the year.
 
2.4 - Tell me more about the encryption key.
The encryption key acts like a password for backed up data and is required to encrypt and decrypt each data set. Each set can only be decrypted with the key that encrypted it, meaning that should you change your key from A to B, then you will not be able to access data set A with key B. If you select ‘default’ for the encryption when creating a new backup schedule, your encryption key will be identical to your Hardhat Backup account password.

2.5 - What happens if I lose my encryption key?
Your data is protected by 256-bit encryption which means that should you lose your encryption key you will not be able to decrypt any of the data encrypted with that key. As the key is vitally important we recommend that you provide your solicitor or accountant with a copy. Only the client has control of their encryption keys - Hardhat are not able to issue new keys.
 
2.6 - What happens if I lose my Hardhat Backup account password?
Your account password is that which you use to gain access to your Hardhat account through the local client or web interface. Unlike your encryption key, if you lose your account password we are able to issue you with a new one. The Reset Password function of the web interface allows you to do this quickly and easily. So long as you have your encryption key there is no need to panic.

2.7 - What happens if a data centre server is offline?
In order to provide the best possible security to our clients' data Hardhat Backup employs a further level of security by copying the data to an offsite Replication Server located at a different data centre. In the unlikely event that the primary data centre is offline, your data will be retrieved from the Replication Server.

2.8 - How do I know that my stored data isn't corrupted?
Hardhat runs regular integrity checks on its whole database to ensure the data is stored correctly. Your data is also verified every time a backup occurs, so you can rest assured it is copied without error.

3.1 - What is the process if I lose my data?
3.2 - Tell me more about the hard drive?
3.3 - How quickly can I have my data back if I lose it?
3.4 - What happens if I lose my data at night and wish to contact you?

3.1 - What is the process if I lose my data?
In the unfortunate event of data loss there is no need to panic. There are two approaches to data recovery which depends on how much data you need to recover. Critical documents can be recovered instantly using the Hardhat web interface. This feature is particularly useful for recovering a selection of files quickly and easily.

If you require all your data to be recovered and do not wish to wait for it to be downloaded you should contact us by phone or email and request a full data restore. Depending on the urgency we can send a hard drive via business post or same-day motorcycle courier. The price of business post is included in the Hardhat subscription. Final prices for the same-day motorcycle courier will depend on your location but will start from £100.
 
Note - As the data on the hard drive is encrypted, the recovery will require the correct encryption key.
 
3.2 - Tell me more about the hard drive?
A choice of two hard drives are available: a 320GB internal SATA; and a 320GB external. We will request a £50 and £100 deposit respectively for each drive. The hard drive will be delivered with simple instructions describing how to recover your data. The instructions are designed so that any computer literate person will be able to complete the recovery process. Once the recovery process has been successfully completed you may either return the hard drive to us (whereby your deposit will be returned) or you can choose to keep it. Should you choose to keep the drive we will retain the deposit.
 
3.3 - How quickly can I have my data back if I lose it?
This depends whether you require a selection of files or a full data restore. A selection of files can be recovered in minutes using the Hardhat web interface. The full data restore requires more time as the data has to be recovered to an external hard drive at the data centre and then couriered or posted to you for restoration. The duration of the data transfer will depend on how much data is backed up. If you require a full data restore please contact the Hardhat team directly and we will immediately get the process moving. We are available during office hours unless we have a prior arrangement with you.

3.4 - What happens if I lose my data at night and wish to contact you?
You are able to retrieve your data yourself, day and night, via the Hardhat Backup web interface. However, it should be noted that this is only suitable for recovering a selection of files. If a full recovery is required then you should contact the Hardhat team during office hours. We understand the peace of mind that 24 hour coverage can bring, if you are interested in this service then we are more than happy to accommodate via prior arrangement.

4.1 - How much does Hardhat cost?
4.2 - What are the different payment options?
4.3 - Can I pay in advance for an entire year?
4.4 - What happens if I cancel my subscription to the service?
4.5 - What happens to my data if I stop paying you?
4.6 - What happens if I want to upgrade to a larger account?

4.1 - How much does Hardhat cost?
For a table of Hardhat Business prices please click here. For Hardhat Home click here.

4.2 - What are the different payment options?
We currently accept the following payment options:

4.3 - Can I pay in advance for an entire year?
Yes. Hardhat offers different payment options to cater for different client needs. Please click here for pricing structure.

4.4 - What happens if I cancel my subscription to the service?
Your service will be suspended, meaning that you will no longer be able to backup new data. As a courtesy we will hold your backed-up data for 30 days before deletion. This means that should you wish to do so, you may restart your backup cover at any point within 30 days.
 
4.5 - What happens to my data if I stop paying you?
If we still haven't received payment 7 days after the due date a late fee of £20 will be applied. If payment still has not been received after 14 days your service will be suspended, meaning you will no longer be able to backup new data. We will hold your data (as it stands from the point of suspension) for 60 days, after which time the data will be removed.

4.6 - What happens if I want to upgrade to a larger account?
If you like what we're doing and find that you need a little more data, you can upgrade your account through the My Products and Services page located in the Client Area of the Hardhat portal. This can be reached here.

5.1 - What is the Hardhat Portal?
5.2 - Why do I have different login details for the Portal?
5.3 - What happens if I lose my Portal password?
5.4 - What can I expect to find in the Downloads section?
5.5 - What do you put in Announcements?
5.6 - Tell me more about the Knowledgebaseabout

5.1 - What is the Hardhat Portal?
The Hardhat Portal is the one-stop place for you to access the nitty-gritty of the Hardhat service. From here you can create and manage accounts, learn more about the service and download important software and documents.

5.2 - Why do I have different login details for the Portal?
Although this may seem like a strange decision to take, there is a good reason that we require a different set of login credentials for the Portal and Hardhat account. Having the same login for both would contravene our strict security standards - keeping the two aspects of your Hardhat provision separate means that should someone gain access to one, they would not be able to access the other.

5.3 - What happens if I lose my Portal password?
We all forget things from time-to-time. If your Portal password has slipped your mind you don't need to worry, simply click the Request a Password Reminder link in the client area.

5.4 - What can I expect to find in the Downloads section?
The Downloads section is where we like to put all the files we think you will find useful, including Hardhat software and supporting documents.

5.5 - What do you put in Announcements?
We use the Announcements section to inform you of important information that may affect the Hardhat service. Don't worry, this information needn't be negative - we may also use it to let you know about interesting, Hardhat-related things. The Announcements section features a particularly handy technology called Really Simple Syndication (RSS). Using an RSS reader, such as Google Reader, you are able to view all the Announcements as a feed, so you can always remain up-to-date. For more information about RSS technology click here.

5.6 - Tell me more about the Knowledgebase
The Knowledgebase can be thought of as an extension of the FAQ. Whereas the FAQ describes Hardhat Backup in some detail, the Knowledgebase deals with even more technical questions about the service.