Data Security with Accur8 Backup beyond the Cloud

 Are Your Cloud Backups Really Protecting Your Data?

Creating backups is vital for both individuals and businesses. Many of us rely on cloud backups for data security, but there’s a common misunderstanding about how these backups work and whether your data is truly protected. So, who holds the responsibility for your data in the cloud?

 Protecting Your Data is a Must

Data can be lost in many ways—an email might be deleted, project files could disappear, or a critical spreadsheet might end up on someone else’s laptop. While some data loss risks are minor, like a broken device or accidental deletion, others are more serious, such as ransomware attacks or disgruntled employees deleting valuable files.

That’s why creating regular backups is essential. Traditional on-site solutions, such as external drives or network-attached storage (NAS), can be inconvenient or costly. As a result, many organizations turn to cloud backups as a more practical option. Ideally, you should always have at least two copies of your most important data.

Not All Cloud Backups Are the Same

Despite the widespread use of cloud storage, only 12% of people use proper cloud backups. Many rely on cloud services, but this isn’t always the right approach. According to Clyde van Wyk, Director and Co-founder of PaySpace, this can be a big mistake.

“Good cloud services perform frequent data backups. At PaySpace, we run regular backups to ensure the overall service is maintained and client data isn’t lost. However, these backups aren’t designed for easy recovery of specific files or for meeting long-term compliance needs. Many users think cloud storage automatically covers their backup needs, but this is rarely the case.”

 Cloud Responsibility vs. Personal Responsibility

When it comes to backups, there are two kinds of cloud services. First, you have cloud backup service providers, whose job is to store and safeguard your data. Then, you have other cloud services that create backups to keep their systems running smoothly.

A true cloud backup service offers features like long-term storage, multiple snapshots, and tools for easy backup and recovery. These services complement your internal backup policies. For instance, if you need to keep tax records for several years, a cloud backup service can meet those retention requirements.

In contrast, operational cloud services create backups to ensure their platform stays online. For example, Accur8HR uses Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure to make frequent backups, allowing for quick recovery if something goes wrong. But these backups aren’t archived long-term or designed to align with individual client backup strategies.

“The goal of a cloud service’s backups is to ensure uptime,” van Wyk explains. “For instance, a cloud-based email service creates backups to restore the platform quickly in case of failure. But if you need to retrieve an email you deleted a month ago, those backups likely won’t help, as that’s not their intended purpose.”

 Who’s Responsible for Your Backups?

Good cloud services may retain data for a short time to ensure smooth service. However, if you delete a file or your systems are compromised by ransomware, you can’t expect your cloud provider to recover the data for you. Their focus is on maintaining uptime, not providing long-term data retention.

This distinction forms part of the Shared Responsibility Model, where the cloud provider ensures uptime through backups, but you are responsible for data retention. Having a reliable backup strategy tailored to your needs is essential because storing data in the cloud doesn’t automatically mean it’s backed up.

As van Wyk puts it, “Your data is safe in the cloud, but it’s not stored in a way that can serve as a backup for your business.”

 Tips for Protecting Your Data:

– Understand the Shared Responsibility Model: Cloud providers ensure uptime, but data retention is your responsibility.

– Create a detailed backup plan that outlines which data needs to be backed up and how often.

– Don’t assume cloud services provide backups you can restore—this isn’t always their primary function.

– Services like Google Drive are for file storage, not for comprehensive backups.

– Use a dedicated, reliable cloud-native backup provider to ensure your data is secure and recoverable.

– Engage software solutions that are ISO 270001 and GDPR Compliant

Accur8HR is ISO 270001 and GDPR Compliant.