What is Cloud Backup?
Cloud backup automatically copies your business data to secure data centers over the internet. Unlike local backup to external drives or tapes, cloud backup stores your data off-site, protecting it from fires, floods, theft, and ransomware attacks that could destroy your primary systems and local backups together.
Modern cloud backup is automatic, encrypted, and includes features like versioning and point-in-time recovery that make restoring data straightforward.
Why Local Backup Isn’t Enough
Traditional local backup has critical weaknesses:
Same Location Risk
- Fire destroys your office AND your backup drives
- Flood damages servers AND the backup NAS
- Theft takes computers AND attached backup devices
Ransomware Vulnerability
- Modern ransomware specifically targets backup files
- Network-attached backups get encrypted too
- Air-gapped backups require manual rotation (often skipped)
Management Burden
- Someone has to monitor backup jobs
- Tape rotation requires discipline
- Failed backups often go unnoticed
Cloud vs Local Backup
| Feature | Local Only | Cloud Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Fire/Flood Protection | Destroyed with office | Safe off-site |
| Ransomware Safety | Often encrypted | Protected/immutable |
| Scalability | Buy more hardware | Unlimited |
| Management | Manual monitoring | Automated |
| Recovery Testing | Rare/difficult | Regular/easy |
| Remote Access | VPN required | Anywhere |
What We Backup
Servers & Workstations
- Complete system images for bare-metal recovery
- Files and folders for granular restore
- Application-aware backup for databases
- Windows, macOS, and Linux support
Microsoft 365
- Exchange Online mailboxes
- OneDrive files
- SharePoint sites and libraries
- Teams conversations and files
Google Workspace
- Gmail messages
- Google Drive files
- Shared drives
- Calendar and contacts
Virtual Environments
- VMware virtual machines
- Hyper-V virtual machines
- Cloud VMs (AWS, Azure)
- Complete VM recovery
3-2-1 Backup Strategy
Best practice calls for:
- 3 copies of your data
- 2 different storage types
- 1 copy off-site
Cloud backup fulfills the off-site requirement automatically. Combined with local backup, you achieve true 3-2-1 protection.
Key Benefits
Automatic Protection
Set it and forget it. Backups run automatically without user intervention.
Off-Site by Default
Data stored in secure data centers, protected from local disasters.
Ransomware Protection
Immutable backups that can't be encrypted or deleted by malware.
Fast Recovery
Restore individual files or entire systems quickly when needed.
Unlimited Retention
Keep backup history as long as you need for compliance or peace of mind.
Verified Backups
Automated testing ensures backups actually work when you need them.
Backup Best Practices
Retention Policy
Keep backups long enough to recover from undetected problems:
- Daily backups retained 30 days minimum
- Weekly backups retained 90 days
- Monthly backups retained 1 year
- Compliance may require longer
Recovery Testing
Verify backups actually work:
- Regular test restores
- Document recovery procedures
- Time recovery operations
- Update runbooks as needed
Monitoring
Know backup status:
- Automated job monitoring
- Failed backup alerts
- Success notifications
- Capacity trending
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cloud backup secure?
Yes. Data is encrypted before leaving your network (in-transit encryption) and stored encrypted (at-rest encryption). You control the encryption keys. Only authorized users can access or restore data. Leading providers maintain SOC 2 certification and comply with HIPAA, PCI, and other regulations.
How long do backups take?
Initial backup of all data takes longest—anywhere from hours to days depending on data volume and internet speed. After that, only changed data is backed up incrementally, typically completing in minutes to an hour depending on daily changes.
What if my internet goes down?
Backup resumes automatically when connectivity returns. No data is lost. For large environments, we can deploy hybrid solutions with local appliances that backup immediately on-site and replicate to cloud when connectivity allows.
Can I recover individual files or just everything?
Both. You can restore individual files, specific folders, or entire systems. Point-in-time recovery lets you restore from any backup point within your retention period. Granular restore is available for email, databases, and applications.
What about Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace?
Those services require separate backup—they don't back up your data the way you'd expect. We provide dedicated backup for Microsoft 365 (Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams) and Google Workspace to protect against accidental deletion, ransomware, and account compromise.
How do I know backups are working?
You receive regular reports on backup status. Failed backups trigger alerts. We monitor backup jobs proactively and address issues before they become problems. Some solutions include automated recovery testing.