Cloud data protection refers to the process of backing up and protecting data stored in the cloud. It is a method of ensuring that data is secure, available, and recoverable in the event of data loss or corruption.
A company may choose to leverage cloud-based applications or local versions of the applications stored on-premises — regardless, the security and protection of the data stored or created within these platforms will always be a main concern.
In an on-premises environment, the organization will own or license a local version of the software and keep data centers on-site. This is the traditional method of data protection and was the go-to method prior to the success and widespread usage of the cloud. Costs associated with owning and managing these resources, as well as security concerns, are the primary factors driving many organizations to opt for new cloud solutions.
In a cloud-based environment, a third party — the cloud provider — hosts the environment for the organization. Virtual technology hosts the company’s applications offsite, and as such, there are no expenses for installation, upgrading, management, etc. Data is regularly backed up to storage that is, in general, more resistant to failures or breaches than those on-premises. Companies only pay for the resources they use and can scale at a global level with minimal effort. With instant provisioning, any time spent on installation and configuration is eliminated and users are able to access applications immediately, worldwide.
There is a difference between backup vendors that offer cloud-based vs. cloud-native backup and recovery, usually centered around how the product was originally architected. Cloud-based is generally sold as a customer-managed product, including software and possible on-site hardware appliances. Cloud-native backup and recovery is offered as-a-Service, with the customer only deploying backup agents in the devices to be protected. The SaaS vendor maintains the backup infrastructure in the cloud, offering subscription-based pricing for their services.
A cloud-based backup and recovery strategy can include components such as a software “agent” on the computers being protected, a backup appliance, and, in hybrid scenarios, local storage that caches cloud-bound data or serves as an on-premises repository for backups. It’s a good idea to evaluate vendors’ agent technology to ensure that it provides necessary capabilities without burdening protected computers with CPU and/or memory-intensive software.
Some vendors may supplement their cloud-backup capabilities with a local backup appliance, which often includes capabilities such as caching cloud-bound data, encrypting data, and facilitating the management of backup and restore processes, locally and in the cloud. Depending on the backup vendor’s appliance’s capabilities, it may also be possible to configure appliances to attach to multiple clouds, appliances in other locations, or local storage in hybrid-cloud architectures.
SMBs: Growing businesses need predictability and the flexibility to control costs based on needs. A lack of specialized IT expertise requires a highly automated and comprehensive solution that anybody can operate.
Mid-sized businesses: Businesses poised for their next phase of growth need to scale quickly without hidden surprises. With more data and security needs, they can’t risk tying up capital and IT resources in infrastructure and integration.
Large enterprises: With more expertise, systems, and data, larger businesses want to modernize quickly with a sustainable and predictable reduction in costs and complexity.
Legacy data protection exposes your business to ballooning costs and complexity as data grows. Leap to the cloud and eliminate management, cut costs, and secure key data from ransomware and other cyber threats.
Druva provides industry-leading, 100% SaaS-based data protection for data center and hybrid-cloud workloads, as well as SaaS applications like Microsoft 365, and AWS. Stop paying for infrastructure and get back time spent managing it. Druva offers a simple and transparent consumption-based pricing model with no hardware, software, or maintenance costs — data management has never been so easy and customers receive over 250% ROI.
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Now that you’ve learned about cloud data protection, brush up on these related terms with Druva’s glossary: