The Importance of Data Backup

In July 2017, a consumer credit reporting agency discovered a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of approximately 147 million people. The company’s inability to recover and restore customer data led to a decline in the company’s stock price, resulting in significant financial losses.

In May 2021, a major fuel pipeline operator in the United States suffered a ransomware attack that targeted the company’s computer systems, leading to the shutdown of its pipeline operations. The company had to pay a ransom of approximately $4.4 million in cryptocurrency to cybercriminals to expedite the recovery of its systems and ensure the delivery of fuel to critical areas.

In June 2014, A source code repository hosting provider company experienced a breach when an unauthorized person gained access to their Amazon Web Services (AWS) control panel by compromising a set of login credentials. Once inside, the intruder began to delete data, backup snapshots, and machine configurations systematically. The extent of data loss was so severe that they had to shut down its operations permanently.

Data backup is the only way to ensure the next case won’t be your organization.

Did you know?

Your data is not protected by the cloud provider

Many cloud providers operate under a shared responsibility model, which means they are responsible for the security and availability of the cloud infrastructure, but customers are responsible for their own data which leaves the need to take proactive steps to protect the data in the customer’s hands.

Cloud Data Isn’t Immune to Loss

While cloud service providers like Bim 360, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Drive, and others offer robust infrastructure and data redundancy, data loss can still occur due to various factors:

Recycle bin deletion or files deletion could happen.

Data is unintentionally removed or erased due to human error all the time. Especially in organizational setups where multiple users have access to the data. Even with the best practices in place, accidental deletion still remains a significant risk because it often results in the loss of important information, potentially disrupting business operations.
The limitations of the cloud service’s recycle bin also pose a risk: if a file is deleted, accidentally or not, after 30 to 45 days (depending on the cloud system), you are left without any means to restore the data.

Ownership issues could happen.

When collaborating on shared documents, you often may not be the owner of the file. If the owner decides to delete the document or revoke your access, this could result in a permanent loss of this data.

Your subscription could end and you will be left out without the data.

In many cloud systems, if your subscription ends due to expiration, non-renewal, or cancellation, you will find yourself without access to your data. Moreover, when you first subscribe to your account, you are effectively granting the cloud provider permission to delete all your files in the event of account deletion.

Outages caused by the cloud provider could happen.

In fact, this happened with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in 2020 and Microsoft Azure in 2021 -The clouds were out of service for days. Just imagine how this would affect your company or organization, which might be unable to perform basic daily operations.

Cyber attacks could happen.

Cybercriminals frequently target cloud services because of the wealth of data stored on these platforms. They employ a variety of attack strategies, including hacking, ransomware attacks, and phishing. These tactics can render critical data inaccessible, leading to significant operational disruptions and potentially permanent data loss.

Assuming cloud systems don’t require backup is dangerous.

You Must Backup as a Safety Net

Cloud data backup serves as a safety net for your organization’s data. It involves regularly creating copies of your cloud-hosted data and storing them in a separate and secure location. In the event of data loss or corruption, you can restore your data from these backups easily.

Why Is Backing Up Your Cloud Data Important?

● Prevent data loss
● Ensure business continuity
● Defend your data against cybersecurity attacks
● Safeguard against accidental deletion
● Ensure rapid recovery in the event of an unexpected disaster
● Enhance customer trust and reputation
● Prevent incurring significant financial expenses due to data loss
● Gain peace of mind regarding your organization’s data

Online Backup Cloud Services are available to provide assistance.

Essential Considerations When Selecting Online Backup Cloud Services

● Data Security and Compliance

Ensure that the service adheres to stringent security standards and compliance regulations relevant to your industry. Look for encryption options, including end-to-end encryption, to safeguard your data.
Cloudsfer’s backup solution offers end-to-end encryption.

● Scalability

Enterprises deal with vast amounts of data that continue to grow. Opt for a service that offers scalability, allowing you to expand your storage as needed without disruptions.
Cloudsfer’s backup solution is designed to offer scalable backup services, ensuring it can accommodate your growing data needs without interruption.

● Data Restoration Speed

In the event of data loss, quick data recovery is paramount. Look for services that offer fast and efficient data restoration processes.
Cloudsfer’s backup solution prioritizes rapid data recovery, ensuring that your data can be swiftly restored in case of an incident.

● Support and Assistance

Consider the level of support provided by the service to ensure you have assistance with setup, troubleshooting, and any arising issues.
Cloudsfer’s backup solution provides 24/7 support.

● Integration Capabilities

Ensure that the chosen service can seamlessly integrate with your both source and target cloud system.
Cloudsfer’s backup solution currently integrates with several cloud systems and continues to expand its integration options.

● Customized Automated Backup Scheduling and Data Retention

Every organization has unique backup frequency and data retention requirements. Cloudsfer’s backup solution offers customizable configurations, allowing you to schedule and automate backups in a way that precisely matches your business needs.

● User-Friendly Interface

A user-friendly interface is essential for efficient data backup management. Ensure that the service’s dashboard is intuitive and easy for your IT team to navigate.
Cloudsfer’s backup solution offers a user-friendly interface, simplifying the backup process.

Summing Up

We’ve discussed potential data loss scenarios, recognized the substantial impacts of data loss, understood how to prevent it, and highlighted the critical considerations when evaluating online backup cloud services. After reading this blog post and putting the Cloudsfer backup solution into action, you’ll be able to experience a sense of security, confident that your data is well-protected.