2023 Guide to Hybrid Cloud Backup Best Practices and Strategies

26.10.2023 Cloud Computing

2023 Guide to Hybrid Cloud Backup Best Practices and Strategies

As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, the volume of data they generate is growing exponentially. In fact, it is estimated that by 2025, the world will produce 175 zettabytes of data annually. This means that businesses must have a robust backup and recovery strategy in place to ensure the continuity of their operations in the event of data loss. One of the best ways to achieve this is through hybrid cloud backup.

What is Hybrid Cloud Backup?

Hybrid cloud backup refers to the practice of backing up data both on-premises and in the cloud environment. With this approach, businesses can take advantage of the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility of cloud storage while still ensuring that their critical data is protected and easily accessible even in the event of an outage or disaster.

Why Do You Need A Hybrid Cloud Backup Strategy?

There are several reasons why businesses should consider adopting a hybrid cloud backup strategy:

Rearchitecting for the cloud ought to embrace containerization of main software elements in one thing like Docker, which may then be managed by an open sourced Kubernetes orchestration framework for optimization of assets and effectivity. We anticipate that containerization will finally be the defacto normal for working workloads within the cloud, and never simply the wrapped up monolithic app implementations introduced over from consumer server implementations.

Compliance Requirements: Many industries such as healthcare and finance have strict compliance requirements that demand that businesses maintain multiple copies of their data in secure locations.

Data Growth: As mentioned earlier, data growth is exploding, and businesses need cost-effective ways to store and protect this data.

Disaster Recovery: Natural disasters, cyberattacks, and human errors can cause significant data loss, and a hybrid cloud backup strategy can help businesses recover quickly.

Business Continuity: Downtime can be costly for businesses, and a hybrid cloud backup strategy can help minimize downtime and ensure uninterrupted operations.

Hybrid Cloud Backup vs. Traditional Backup Methods

There are two traditional backup methods – onsite backup and offsite backup. Onsite backup involves storing backup data on physical devices within the business premises while offsite backup involves storing data in a different location from the main office.

An ESG research from 2018 discovered that 41% of organizations have pulled again not less than one infrastructure-as-a-service workload resulting from satisfaction points. In a subsequent research, ESG found amongst respondents who had moved a workload out of the cloud again to on-premises, 92% had made no modifications or solely minor modifications to the functions earlier than shifting them to the cloud. The functions they introduced again on-premises ran the gamut, together with ERP, database, file and print, and e-mail. A majority (83%) known as not less than one of many functions they repatriated on-premises “mission-critical” to the group.

While these traditional backup methods have been effective, they have some limitations that a hybrid cloud backup strategy can overcome. Below are some of the differences between traditional methods and hybrid cloud backup:

Scalability

Traditional backup methods lack scalability, which means that businesses must continuously purchase additional hardware to accommodate data growth. Cloud storage, on the other hand, is highly scalable, allowing businesses to increase or decrease their storage capacity as needed.

Community virtualization has additionally drastically improved Ceridian's safety panorama, Perlman says. "Above and past your typical layered safety method, network virtualization places you in a significantly better place to guard the information that you just're charged with securing on behalf of your clients," he says.

"There are a number of major benefits that we're trying to benefit from in community virtualization," says Kevin Younger, principal engineer for Ceridian's Dayforce. Initially is safety and microsegmentation."

Ceridian is utilizing VMware's NSX-T to allow microsegmentation, which provides extra granular safety controls for better assault resistance. It is a rigorous method, and it requires time-consuming evaluation and planning to get it proper. "We begin with a zero belief method within the very starting," Younger explains. "This forces us to know our utility nicely, and in addition forces us to correctly doc and open solely the holes required for the applying, safety being firstly."

Accessibility

Traditional backup methods can be cumbersome when it comes to accessing backed-up data. With hybrid cloud backup, businesses can have both an onsite and offsite copy of their data, making it easily accessible regardless of where they are working from.

Cost

Traditional backup methods require significant investments in hardware, software, and maintenance costs. With hybrid cloud backup, businesses only pay for the storage space they use, making it more cost-effective in the long run.

Best Practices for Hybrid Cloud Backup

While hybrid cloud backup provides several benefits, organizations must have a well-defined strategy to ensure that they get the most out of it. Here are some best practices to follow when implementing hybrid cloud backup:

Identify Your Data

Before you start backing up your data, it is essential to identify the critical data you want to protect. This can help you determine the type of backup technology and storage requirements you need.

Choose the Right Service Provider

Choosing the right service provider is essential to the success of your hybrid cloud backup strategy. Look for a provider with experience, reliability, and robust security measures to ensure that your data is safe and accessible when you need it.

Test Your Backup and Recovery Plan

Testing your backup and recovery plan regularly is crucial to ensure that it works when you need it. Conduct regular tests to identify any potential issues and make the necessary adjustments.

Implement Encryption

Encryption is critical in ensuring that your data is secure during transit and storage. Ensure that your service provider offers encryption features, including at-rest encryption, in-transit encryption, and encryption key management.

Monitor Your Backup

Monitoring your backup regularly can help you identify any issues before they become critical. Regular monitoring can also help you optimize your backups, improve performance, and reduce costs.

Hybrid Cloud Backup FAQs

Q1: Is hybrid cloud backup more expensive than traditional backup methods?

A1: While the initial setup cost of a hybrid cloud backup strategy may be higher than traditional methods, it is more cost-effective in the long run due to its scalability and pay-per-use pricing model.

Q2: How secure is hybrid cloud backup?

A2: A reputable service provider will provide robust security measures to ensure that your data is secure. This includes encrypting data both at-rest and in-transit, using access controls, and implementing disaster recovery plans.

Q3: Can I recover data if my internet connection goes down?

A3: Yes, most hybrid cloud backup solutions allow businesses to store a local copy of their data for quick recovery in case of an internet outage.

Q4: What happens if I exceed my storage limit?

A4: If you exceed your storage limit, your provider will typically notify you and provide options to either upgrade your storage plan or remove data that is no longer needed to free up space.

Q5: Can I customize my backup schedule?

A5: Yes, most hybrid cloud backup solutions allow businesses to set custom backup schedules based on their specific needs and requirements.

Conclusion

Hybrid cloud backup is an effective way for businesses to protect their critical data while taking advantage of the scalability and cost-effectiveness of cloud storage. By identifying critical data, choosing the right service provider, testing your backup and recovery plan, implementing encryption, and monitoring your backup regularly, you can ensure that your hybrid cloud backup strategy is effective in keeping your data safe and accessible.

Investing in a hybrid cloud backup strategy is not only essential for compliance requirements but also for business continuity and disaster recovery purposes. It provides a scalable, cost-effective, and highly flexible solution to manage your data and achieve your business goals with peace of mind.