The three most common cloud backup mistakes and how to avoid them

Cloud computing graphics.
(Image credit: Shutterstock / Blackboard)

Since cloud computing was first rolled out to the public it has been identified as a target for hackers. Bad actors will go after the largest players in the game, pulling down their defenses with apparent ease. Take for example, the instance in which AWS login credentials were stolen by a begrudged former employee and used to delete critical client accounts, which caused their ex-employer $700,000 in losses.

If such an attack sounds detrimental to your business, you can be reassured by learning from others’ past mistakes and recognizing the importance of backups for smooth business operations. Cloud backups are a critical line of defense against data loss; mistakes and oversights in a backup strategy are akin to self-sabotaging your safety net. By neglecting cloud backups business leaders compromise their sensitive customer data, losing customer trust and tarnishing the company’s reputation. Data breaches can result in legal ramifications and financial loss.

So, what are the common mistakes that transform backups from being an assistance to a hindrance?

Jon Howes

VP and GM of EMEA, Wasabi.

1) Failing to construct a well-considered strategy

Too frequently business leaders will substitute a carefully tailored cloud backup strategy for the ‘set-it-and-forget-it' approach. To ensure you are getting the most from your cloud service provider and that your backups are provided the best possible protection it is crucial to understand the nuances of cloud technology and its potential risks.

It may be tempting to go with the first big-name cloud provider at the top of your Google search but not all cloud providers are made equal. They differ in their security protocols, data handling practices, and recovery options so it is best to research which best aligns with your specific backup requirements as determined by your business needs.

A comprehensive cloud storage strategy will encompass regular reviews, frequent testing and adjustments for evolving business needs like changes to capacity, access methods or degree of security depending on new regulatory mandates.

Also important to consider is how frequently backups are completed. A happy medium lies between often enough to avoid data loss but not so regularly that you consume unnecessary storage space. Completing the backup is only the first half of the story; equally as important is the ability to restore that backup quickly and effectively to ensure operations are resumed with minimal disruptions.

2) Neglecting security measures

Once a tailored backup strategy has been decided upon it needs to be implemented within the most stringent security parameters. Over two thirds of businesses suffered a ransomware attack in 2023, according to research by Proofpoint, and backups are a favorite target for ransomware attacks as victims are more likely to pay the ransom if they are locked out of their primary and secondary backups. Hackers will often attempt to delete your backups so you cannot recover the data from them.

Without efficient security measures, your organization's data is left vulnerable to breaches— especially within today’s threat landscape spearheaded by AI. A single layer of security is no longer sufficient. A proactive approach is best when implementing security measures, building an impermeable foundation of protection as opposed to patching up the holes after the fact.

Encrypting your backup is essential to prevent unauthorized access. Similarly, by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) you can prevent unauthorized access even when log-in details are compromised. Also, immutable backups — that no user, administrator or third party can delete or corrupt — in the cloud are a proven ransomware mitigation strategy for ensuring that no one can alter or remove your data. Finally, security conscious cloud providers are beginning to develop and offer multi-user authentication (MUA), meaning that if a hacker attains the account holding the immutable backups, they won't be able to delete your stored data without additional authorization from your chosen security contact.

Only by combining encryption, MFA, immutable backups and MUA can you rest assured your organization's data is protected with the most secure tools available, that you have a secure backup you can reconstitute back to your production servers after a cybersecurity incident or accidental data loss, and that you won’t have to pay any ransom.

3) Overlooking storage capacity

A common oversight by cloud users is overestimating the capacity of their storage. Customers are easily misled into thinking that the cloud, and therefore their backups, are limitless. In reality, your backup capacity is capped by your budget. Naivety around storage capacity can lead to data loss when the limit is reached, as well as unexpected, additional cost when trying to secure extra space at the last minute.

To avoid this you should forecast growth, understand your company’s capacity requirements and predict if and when that will ebb and flow. Forecasting not only ensures you have enough space for continuous backups, but on the other end of the spectrum also means you avoid paying for unused space and wasting your company’s resources.

In summary

It is safe to say that cloud backups can make or break a business. Knowing the common mishaps and counteracting them with vigilance will help to not only protect your organization against bad actors and accidents, but also ensure you’re getting the most out of your cloud provider. By thoughtfully constructing a strategy tailored to your business needs, that proactively incorporates security measures and considers capacity requirements, you can sleep easy knowing your organization's information is protected.

We list the best cloud storage management service.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Jon Howes, VP and GM of EMEA, Wasabi.

Read more
A graphic image of a cloud set in a digital background.
Best cloud backup of 2025 from $4.98 per year for 10TB
A cloud storage vector illustration featuring an image of a cloud with connecting server links
Best business cloud storage of 2025
An abstract image in blue and white of a database.
Planning ahead around data migrations
Hack The Box crisis simulation event
“Everyone will experience a hack” - how incident response can protect your organization
Digital clouds against a blue background.
Navigating the growing complexities of the cloud
ai quantization
Shadow AI: the hidden risk of operational chaos
Latest in Pro
Branch office chairs next to a TechRadar-branded badge that reads Big Savings.
This office chair deal wins the Amazon Spring Sale for me and it's so good I don't expect it to last
Saily eSIM by Nord Security
"Much more than just an eSIM service" - I spoke to the CEO of Saily about the future of travel and its impact on secure eSIM technology
NetSuite EVP Evan Goldberg at SuiteConnect London 2025
"It's our job to deliver constant innovation” - NetSuite head on why it wants to be the operating system for your whole business
FlexiSpot office furniture next to a TechRadar-branded badge that reads Big Savings.
Upgrade your home office for under $500 in the Amazon Spring Sale: My top picks and biggest savings
Beelink EQi 12 mini PC
I’ve never seen a PC with an Intel Core i3 CPU, 24GB RAM, 500GB SSD and two Gb LAN ports sell for so cheap
cybersecurity
Chinese government hackers allegedly spent years undetected in foreign phone networks
Latest in News
DeepSeek
Deepseek’s new AI is smarter, faster, cheaper, and a real rival to OpenAI's models
Open AI
OpenAI unveiled image generation for 4o – here's everything you need to know about the ChatGPT upgrade
Apple WWDC 2025 announced
Apple just announced WWDC 2025 starts on June 9, and we'll all be watching the opening event
Hornet swings their weapon in mid air
Hollow Knight: Silksong gets new Steam metadata changes, convincing everyone and their mother that the game is finally releasing this year
OpenAI logo
OpenAI just launched a free ChatGPT bible that will help you master the AI chatbot and Sora
An aerial view of an Instavolt Superhub for charging electric vehicles
Forget gas stations – EV charging Superhubs are using solar power to solve the most annoying thing about electric motoring