What is cloud-to-cloud backup?
Cloud-to-cloud backup is a service where data from one cloud platform is backed up to another cloud-based storage environment. In essence, it's a Backup-as-a-Service offering that creates a secure copy of your cloud data in a separate cloud location, so it can be restored if needed.
How does cloud-to-cloud backup work?
Cloud-to-cloud backup works by connecting to your cloud applications (via secure APIs or credentials) and periodically copying your data to a separate cloud storage. The backup service will snapshot your data and store it safely in the cloud snapshot your data and store it safely in the cloud so that a point-in-time version can be recovered later. Because the backup runs entirely in the cloud, you don't need any hardware - the provider manages the storage and infrastructure.
Why do I need cloud-to-cloud backup if my data is already in the cloud?
Storing data in the cloud doesn't make it immune to loss. About one-third of cloud data loss is due to user errors (accidental deletion or overwriting), and other risks include malicious deletions, hackers, sync glitches, or service outages.Cloud providers have redundancy for themselves but often cannot recover your data once it's permanently deleted on your end cannot recover your data once it's permanently deleted on your end (for example, after a recycle bin is purged. A cloud-to-cloud backup keeps independent copies of your data to restore those lost or corrupted files, providing an extra layer of protection.
How is cloud-to-cloud backup different from simply syncing or replicating data?
Syncing (or cloud storage services like OneDrive/Dropbox) is not the same as backup. Sync keeps files consistent across devices - if you delete or change a file, that change syncs everywhere (including deletions). A true backup, by contrast, maintains historical versions and separate copies. With replication alone, any corruption or deletion on the source can immediately propagate to the replica, whereas a backup can be used to recover the earlier intact data. In short, cloud sync is great for accessibility and collaboration, but it is not a trustworthy backup solution. Backup ensures you have an independent copy that isn't automatically changed when the source changes. This distinction is crucial: for protection against accidental or malicious changes, you need backup, not just sync.
