Choosing the best cloud backup requires more than just picking the first solution you find with good marketing. After decades in the backup business, I can tell you that getting this decision right matters more than ever, especially with today’s cybersecurity threats.
This blog post summarizes the main points of my latest podcast episode. If you’d like, you can listen to it or watch it at https://www.backupwrapup.com/)
Why Cloud Backup Makes Sense
For most small businesses, a cloud backup service is the right way to go. You don’t want to mess around with installing and managing backup software on your own server – that’s a recipe for trouble. Trust me, I spent half my career helping people do exactly that, and it’s complex enough that people mess it up all the time.
What to Look For in the Best Cloud Backup
First things first – make sure any backup solution you’re considering actually supports all your platforms. Don’t get sucked into using multiple backup products if you can avoid it. I’d rather see you use one decent backup product that handles everything than two or three “amazing” products that each do their own thing.
Real Immutability Matters
Next up is immutability – and I mean real immutability, not the fake stuff some vendors try to sell you. Your backups should be completely undeletable before their retention period expires. If you as a super user can delete them, guess what? So can the bad guys when they compromise your account.
The 3-2-1 Rule Still Rules Your backup strategy needs to follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of systems, with one copy stored somewhere else. This is especially critical with SaaS applications. Don’t fall for the trap of thinking that Microsoft 365’s included features give you all the protection you need.
Watch Those Hidden Costs
Make sure you understand all the costs involved:
- Storage fees
- Restore costs
- Egress charges
- Retention pricing
- Express recovery options
Test Everything
You’ve got to test your restores. Not just small files – test big restores to see how long they really take. And pay attention to the support you get during testing, because it’ll never be better than what you experience during the sales process.
Getting Help If this all sounds overwhelming, consider working with a managed service provider (MSP) or value-added reseller (VAR). They’ve usually done the homework on which products actually work. Just make sure you’re working with one that has a solid reputation.
Remember, the goal isn’t to find the fanciest backup product with the most features. The goal is to find a solution that reliably protects your data and lets you get it back when you need it. That’s what really matters.
Written by W. Curtis Preston (@wcpreston), four-time O'Reilly author, and host of The Backup Wrap-up podcast. I am now the Technology Evangelist at S2|DATA, which helps companies manage their legacy data
