Online Backup Option
An extra option for protecting your HandicapMaster data.
The Online Backup service is an option you may add to HandicapMaster that has been designed to enable you to store your data in a secure offsite location.
HandicapMaster already provides a local backup and restore facility to save a backup of your data to removable media.This may then be used to restore your data in the event of a computer failure, or data loss due to an accident like a fire or a theft.
The Online Backup option for HandicapMaster allows you to save an encrypted backup of your Club or Society data on our secure server, providing an extra level of data recovery in the event of loss of data.
Buy a Subscription
Please visit our online shop to 
a subscription to the Online Backup service. Further details of the service are noted below.
a subscription to the Online Backup service. Further details of the service are noted below.
Your subscription is valid for 12 months at which time you may renew it if you wish to continue to use the service.
Alternatively, the Online Backup service may be included as an additional item on the annual maintenance renewal. Please contact us if you wish to add the Online Backup service to your HandicapMaster renewal.
[This option is not available for HandicapMaster SOCIETY Edition.]
[This option is not available for HandicapMaster SOCIETY Edition.]
Requirements
To use the Online Backup service the following requirements are needed:
- A 'broadband' internet connection, dial up is not supported.
- A valid annual subscription to the service.
- A version of HandicapMaster with the option. Available in HandicapMaster from the 2010 release onwards.
Please note: Golf Societies using HandicapMaster Version 6 or lower will need to upgrade to Version 8 if they wish to use this service.
Benefits
The Online Backup option provides the following benefits.
- Improved data recovery options by having a secure offsite backup.
- Integrated within HandicapMaster for ease of use.
- Saves time recovering data compared with time taken to re-enter lost data!
Security
Your HandicapMaster data is encrypted use industry standard encryption techniques on your computer before it is sent to our secure server. The data stored on our secure server is stored in its encrypted form. It is NOT decrypted.
Access to our server is by restricted authentication. Customers may only access their own data.
You may wonder if it is possible for your data to be examined by HandicapMaster Limited. This is something that we can do. However we would only do so under exceptional circumstances and with customer consent. Normally in the event of a data recovery event you should be able to restore your data without HandicapMaster Limited needing to be involved.
Questions and Answers
Please find some frequently asked questions with answers. If you have any further queries please contact us using the 'contact us' link at the bottom of this page.
Why are backups important?
You have invested a lot of time recording scores and membership information in HandicapMaster. By taking a backup of your data you have protected this effort in the event of data loss. If you have a total computer failure then given a backup of your HandicapMaster data you can go to a new computer download the HandicapMaster software from our website and restore your data and be processing competitions and handicaps for your organisation again in just a few minutes!
Why should I use online backups?
The Online Backup option for HandicapMaster provides an extra level of data recovery in the event of loss of data. It does this by storing an encrypted copy of your data offsite. It is considered good data processing practise to store data in a secure manner off site from the normal processing location to allow for data recovery in the event of a serious incident at the normal processing location.
Why are you charging separately for this service?
We feel that only those who wish to use the service should be required to pay for it. For example some of our customers do not have access to a broadband internet connection which is required for this service; use of dial up is not supported. So we feel that it is unfair to charge all customers for the service. HandicapMaster Limited already take this approach with the various editions of our software, allowing our customers to purchase the edition and options that suit their needs best.
What are the charges and what do I get for them?
You may view the costs and pay for this service at our online shop here.
The charges pay for the provision of the infrastructure including the secure server and for the support of the service to our customers.
You may purchase a 12 month subscription to the service which will allow you to save a number of backups to our secure server.
How many backups may I store?
Your subscription to the Online Backup service will allow up to three backups to be stored. When you perform the fourth backup the oldest backup will be automatically deleted. Please note that HandicapMaster Limited reserve the right to increase or decrease the number of backups stored at a future date.
Is my data secure, what about data protection?
Your HandicapMaster data is encrypted before it is sent to our secure server using industry standard encryption. The encryption key is unique to each customer. Our servers are protected by various security products. The server is located within the United Kingdom.
The information which we hold is held securely in accordance with our internal security policy and the law. If we intend to transfer your information outside the EEA (European Economic Area), we will always obtain your consent first. You may view the Online Backup service contract and HandicapMaster Limited privacy policy here.
In line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and from 25 May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). HandicapMaster Limited will act as a data processor for your organisation with regard to the Online Backup service. Data processors only process personal information in line with instructions from data controllers. You may need to consider if your club needs to register with the Information Commissioner's Office.
Can you guarantee the data will be available?
While HandicapMaster Limited will endeavour to provide the Online Backup service it is possible for reasons beyond our control the Online Backup service or the data you have backed up using the service may not be available. These include but are not limited to equipment failure, network failures etc.
The Online Backup service should be used as part of your overall data recovery strategy and not be your only backup of your data.