Imation today announced the DataGuard Vault online backup and recovery service - an enterprise-class service for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and remote offices and branch offices (ROBOs).

DataGuard Vault online backup and recovery service automatically secures files and transfers them off-site to a data center through the Internet or private network connection -- providing SMBs and ROBOs with an cost-effective, 24x7 option for data storage backup and recovery, backed by a dependable 24x7x365 support team.

The service features an agentless architecture, which means that one machine can run the backup/restore software for an entire network, eliminating the need to install and update the software on every computer. In the event of a computer failure or theft, data can be completely restored to new hardware.

Customers can also retrieve their data from the distant data center by either asking Imation to deliver the data on media for restoring, or by utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) to access the vault and begin restoring.

Security is ensured through data compression and encryption before it is electronically sent to the off-site vault. Customers own a unique encryption key to decrypt and read the data. T

Imation DataGuard Vault online backup and recovery service is now available in the U.S. based on a monthly per gigabyte (GB) fee. An additional data center will be available in the Midwest this summer, with five more data centers available within the next year. For more information, check out http://www.imation.com/products/dataguard_vault/.