Protecting data held elsewhere.
WHAT NEEDS BACKING UP
Email Files Business application data Anything only in a cloud service
WHY
The provider protects against their own failures, not against yours.
WHAT THEY TYPICALLY DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST
Accidental deletion discovered late Account compromise Malicious deletion You ending the subscription
THAT LAST ONE
Data is typically deleted after a period once you stop paying.
HOW TO BACK UP CLOUD DATA
Export regularly, to storage you control Use a third-party backup service designed for that platform Both, for anything critical
WHAT TO AUTOMATE
The export.
WHAT NOT TO AUTOMATE AWAY
Checking it ran and is usable.
WHAT TO TEST
Opening and using an export.
HOW OFTEN
Depends on how much you could afford to lose.
WHAT TO KEEP
Several versions.
WHAT TO ENCRYPT
Exports, which contain everything.
