This document discusses transforming offsite backups into a true data recovery option. It outlines that backups should provide file history, have a catalog, be durable and secure with encryption. Backups are different than storage, replication or archive solutions. The ideal backup solution should be inexpensive, granular, restore files reliably and minimize business disruption from data loss or corruption. Avamar is highlighted as a backup solution that provides variable length deduplication and SHA-1 hash verification for reliability and low storage overhead.