Backups and Snapshots in the Cloud
Even on resilient cloud platforms, backups remain essential. Hardware rarely fails, but human error, faulty code and malicious activity can all destroy or corrupt data. A good backup strategy is your safety net.
This article explains the options and the habits that keep you protected.
Backups vs Snapshots
- Snapshot: a point-in-time copy of a disk or system, quick to take and restore.
- Backup: a separate, retained copy of data, often stored elsewhere for longer.
A Sensible Strategy
- Take regular automated backups, not occasional manual ones.
- Keep copies in more than one location or region.
- Define how long you retain each backup.
- Test restores periodically — an untested backup is only a hope.
Why Testing Matters
The worst time to discover a backup does not work is during an emergency. We schedule restore tests so that when you genuinely need a backup, you can rely on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should backups run?
It depends on how much data you can afford to lose. For busy systems we often back up several times a day; for slower-changing data, daily is fine.
Are backups protected from ransomware?
We keep copies that cannot be altered or deleted easily, so a compromise of your main systems does not take your backups with it.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.