How to Find the Most Secure Cloud Backup Solution for Data Protection

Your business data is invaluable, and protecting it like a vital asset is essential. But choosing the right cloud backup solution to keep your data safe is trickier than it looks.

If you’re not an expert in cloud backup services, you might not know what to look for when choosing online backup services. You might miss a data storage must-have or overlook a disaster recovery feature that proves critical for protecting your critical data.

And suppose your online backup and recovery provider isn’t up to scratch. In that case, you may find out too late: after hackers have circumvented your data protection tools and infiltrated your operating systems. If you use subpar cloud storage services, your data may be lost and irretrievable.

Below, we’ll look at the backup tools, disaster recovery processes, and data protection techniques to look for in trustworthy enterprise backup services.

Data security and encryption

At a basic level, reliable backup services should offer your company robust file encryption during data transmissions and trusty data storage. Data should be encrypted with encryption keys and kept to a small, tightly controlled group of authorised personnel.

• Ask your data backup provider about the specific types of encryption and when they use it (during storage, data transfers, data analytics, etc.).

Compliance and certifications

In many industries, strict data privacy laws require businesses to comply with specific regulations and standards, such as GDPR and HIPAA. Healthcare, insurance, law firms, and finance are just a few of the industries in which businesses carry a particular onus of responsibility. Your cloud backup provider should be able to produce the relevant certifications and compliance measures.

• Ask to see proof that your data backup provider complies with the pertinent regulations and required certs.

Redundancy and reliability

Cloud storage services are convenient for businesses, especially small businesses, but to be truly safe, they should provide physical data server redundancy.

Reputable backup services will have multiple server locations, each in an area physically far away from the others. If data theft or a natural disaster like a fire threatens your data security, redundant data centres ensure that your data remains available. That, and a solid disaster recovery plan, will guarantee your data is safe and sound.

• Ask your data backup provider for the number of data centres they use, their general location, and whether there is sufficient physical space between them to provide safety in a data loss event.

Scalability

Your business will grow; as it does, you need to know that your online backup service will grow with you. That means it can provide your business with storage options that scale to fit your needs without compromising on speed, efficiency, and software performance.

• Talk to your provider about the scalability of their data backup solutions. Ask about the specific amount of storage provided at each price point and whether any unique system resources are required to move to a higher storage bracket.

User-friendly software

The backup software you choose should be intuitive and easy to use. A straightforward interface is essential. So is an automated data backup process with customisation options. It should be easy for your staff to perform backups and even easier to schedule and automate them.

In a data loss event, using the recovery software should be simple and unambiguous. Data loss events are stressful; your backup software should reduce the complexity of data restoration and minimise the chance of errors.

• Test data backup solutions before purchasing to ensure the interface and data management features are intuitive. Ask for a precise flow chart, tutorial, or list of steps involved in data recovery to ensure it’s straightforward.

Quick data recovery

Not only should the steps to data recovery be straightforward, but the process should be quick. In a data loss event, business systems must be operational immediately. Your cloud backup services should minimise downtime and facilitate fast data recovery so that a data breach doesn’t slow your productivity.

• Talk to your backup software provider about the average time to recover lost data after a breach.

Granular recovery

While your backup software service should include regularly scheduled continuous backup, it should also provide incremental backup options. You may need to recover specific files or restore data from a small time window. In that case, you’ll want the chance to restore data at a granular level rather than restoring the entire system.

• Ask your cloud backup provider about their granular recovery options for more efficient data retrieval.

Compatibility and integration

Good backup software should integrate seamlessly with your existing systems and infrastructure. Ensure the backup software you choose is compatible with your operating system, applications, software, and hardware. You’ll have a better user experience and a more straightforward data recovery process.

• Test whether your cloud backup provider integrates well with your existing infrastructure. Ask about the integrations they support and what technical assistance you’ll have in integrating their software with your system.

Data retention and archiving policies

Depending on your industry, you may be legally required to store and archive data for years. The backup provider you chose should offer data retention policies that meet your legal and internal record-keeping requirements. They should also provide archiving and long-term data storage that suits your needs.

• Ask your backup provider about the storage and archiving options covered in your price range. Also, ensure that there isn’t an end date for storing data.

Testing and verification

It’s imperative to test your disaster recovery process regularly to ensure it works when needed. Innovative backup providers will offer features that simulate a data breach and let you test your data recovery process.

• Enquire about testing and data verification.

Encryption key control and data monitoring

In some industries, the client must keep encryption keys for enhanced data protection. The provider should also offer data monitoring, complete with customisable alerts to notify the business when data is accessed in a suspicious or nonstandard way.

Ask whether your backup provider offers client-side encryption and encryption key management. Also, explore their data monitoring and alert options.

Customer support

Data protection is a vital task, and your team may require support from time to time. A good backup provider will offer 24/7 customer support by trained local staff. No matter the technical issues or questions, you want a backup provider always available when you need assistance.

• Don’t settle for less-than-stellar customer service from a backup provider.

Backup provider must-haves checklist

If you’re in the market for a data backup provider, use this checklist to ensure the one you chose provides everything your business needs. Or, start a free 14-day trial with BackupVault – we offer every single one of these requirements!

Ask your data backup provider about the specific types of encryption they use and when they use it (during storage, data transfers, data analytics, etc.).
Ask to see proof that your data backup provider complies with the pertinent regulations and required certs.
Ask your data backup provider for the number of data centres they use, their general location, and whether there is sufficient physical space between them to provide safety in a data loss event.
Talk to your provider about the scalability of their data backup solutions, including the specific amount of storage provided at each price point and whether any unique system resources are required to move to a higher storage bracket.
Test data backup solutions before purchasing to ensure the interface and data management features are intuitive. Ask for a precise flow chart, tutorial, or list of steps involved in data recovery to ensure it’s straightforward.
Talk to your backup software provider about the average time to recover lost data after a breach.
Ask your cloud backup provider about their granular recovery options for more efficient data retrieval.
Test whether your cloud backup provider integrates well with your existing infrastructure. Ask about the integrations they support and what technical assistance you’ll have in integrating their software with your system.
Ask your backup provider about the storage and archiving options covered in your price range. Also, ensure that there isn’t an end date for storing data.
Inquire about testing and data verification.
Ask whether your backup provider offers client-side encryption and encryption key management. Also, explore their data monitoring and alert options.
Don’t settle for less-than-stellar customer service from a backup provider.