Security is a major priority for businesses that use Software as a Solution (SaaS) solutions. SaaS providers are tasked with handling much of the security for cloud applications. They are responsible for securing the network, platform, physical infrastructure and operating system; however, they are not responsible for securing customer data or preventing user access to it.
With SaaS solutions becoming more popular, businesses must develop strategies to keep data safe from cybercriminals and other unauthorized personnel. Creating a solid backup strategy is key to ensuring that critical data can be restored if it becomes damaged or unavailable. Learn more about SaaS data protection and what to consider when developing a SaaS backup solution.
Importance Of Data Backup For SaaS
Moving to the cloud can save businesses a significant amount of time by allowing the vendor to assume the responsibility of data management. Unfortunately, not all cloud service providers (CSPs) can assist in the recovery of company data if information is lost or corrupted.
Cloud-based backup tools can be invaluable for protecting sensitive business data. There are several reasons why countless organizations are choosing to develop SaaS backup solutions:
- Cloud-based backup solutions are easy to implement. They do not require a large initial infrastructure investment and can typically be deployed with only an agent installation.
- Cloud-based backup solutions are simple to manage. Service providers are responsible for data management, meaning businesses only have to worry about backing up their servers.
- Cloud-based backup solutions have predictable costs. There is no large upfront investment and companies can maintain normal operational costs without concern about sudden or unexpected costs.
Data stored on the web is never completely safe. Most businesses believe that lost or corrupted data is caused by malware or other cyberattacks; this is in part accurate. According to a Ponemon Institute Cost of Data Breach Report, approximately 51 percent of data breaches were caused by malicious attacks. However, there are also other causes of lost or corrupted data.
SaaS data loss can also come from inside an organization. Administrators may inadvertently delete important data and without a backup solution in place, this data could be lost forever. In addition, malicious insiders could cause the loss or corruption of data. Disgruntled employees could delete or steal data for personal gain or to sabotage their employers.
Features Of SaaS Backup Solutions
Software as a Service backup solutions refers to technology used to store and protect data that SaaS products generate. These backup solutions work by storing data in a secondary location, typically on the public cloud but sometimes on-premises. If the product should fail for any reason, the client is able to recover the data stored on the backup solution and restore it to a functional state. When developing a SaaS backup solution, it is important to remember that the SaaS backup software must properly integrate with the SaaS product used to store data.
Not all SaaS backup solutions are compatible with all SaaS products and many backup solutions are specialized in backing up specific product suites. There are several vital features found in modern SaaS backup solutions, including the following:
Product Integration
Ensure that the backup solution chosen can be integrated with the current SaaS product to prevent misconfigurations and performance problems.
Data Encryption
Data encryption is an important security method that allows information to be encoded and only accessed by users with the correct encryption key.
Data Restoration
SaaS backup software should have data restoration features that allow users to recover deleted, corrupted or inaccessible data from a storage location.
Data Storage
Consider how the SaaS backup solution handles data storage, whether on the cloud or on-premises.
Data Auditing
Data auditing features allow for the assessment of data for quality to ensure accuracy for a specific use.
Things To Consider When Developing A SaaS Backup Solution
When developing a SaaS backup solution, there are several aspects to consider, including the following:
1. Is The SaaS Backup Solution Customer-Centric?
The main objective when developing a SaaS backup solution is delivering what users want and need. The backup solution should be easy to get started and use. It should provide the scale and performance required for a growing business and not require any major upgrades or changes in the near future. The solution should also be flexible to align with business needs over time.
2. Is The Information Stored On The Backup Software Safe?
Backups need to be accessible at any time and from any location; however, they should not be accessible to just anyone. Solid SaaS backup solutions should have the proper security features in place to prevent unauthorized personnel from gaining access to sensitive business information. There are many ways that backup solutions can prevent the loss or corruption of data, such as through strong encryption.
3. Where Will The Backup Location Be?
Backup location is another important detail to consider when developing a backup solution. Many businesses default their backups to the cloud, where backups can be either public or private. Private cloud servers are typically hosted by an on-premise IT infrastructure which makes the hardware, network and storage dedicated to a single company. A public cloud service is shared with other businesses in a multi-tenant environment and businesses have the option to buy a portion of the cloud environment.
4. How Much Will The Backup Solution Cost?
Cost is a major factor when developing a backup solution, especially for startups or businesses with a limited budget. There are many aspects to consider when developing a backup solution, such as the purchase of hardware and software, maintenance agreement fees and the cost of training staff to use the solution. It is important to establish a budget early and to implement only features and tools that the business actually needs.
5. Will The Backup Data Be Normal?
Not all SaaS backup solutions are equal. Some solutions only back up a portion of the data or eliminate certain aspects, such as format. When developing a SaaS backup solution, it is important to create a solution that allows for a complete recovery of data. This means that the data should maintain the same format, patterns and overall condition as it did before the disrupting event occurred.
6. Is Backup And Recovery Flexible Enough?
When creating data backups, it is important for them to be flexible and allow for a smooth recovery. The recovery of data needs to be able to scale from restoring a single file to an entire server. Flexibility is the backbone of a solid backup and recovery solution and without it, real-world scenarios could ultimately render the software useless.
7. Is There An Established Backup Schedule?
Data backups should be automated and run on a set schedule. Manual backups are often overlooked, meaning that valuable data could get lost if there was a disrupting event. Data backups should also be run frequently enough to capture new or altered data as it occurs. Ideally, backups should be scheduled around production workflow requirements.
8. Is The Backup Solution Scalable?
Businesses grow over time and a backup solution that works now may not work for the business in the future. The backup solution should be able to handle unexpected volumes of data to prevent issues including downtime. Businesses should also have a process in place to ensure that new applications, servers and data stores are promptly added to these backups.
Best Practices For Moving To SaaS Data Backup
Developing a strong SaaS backup solution is just the first step; businesses must also take the necessary steps to implement this solution using best practices. Start by gaining an understanding of what the SaaS provider covers and what they do not.
Cloud providers are responsible for protecting data from errors, software and hardware failures, power failures and natural disasters. Due to their excellent backup systems, data is rarely ever lost from the provider’s end. However, that does not mean that data cannot be lost or corrupted on the business’s end.
Proper Training, Regular Testing & Documented Processes
The majority of data loss is caused by human error. Businesses can take the steps to minimize these common occurrences through proper training, regular testing and clearly documented processes. Provide employees and other authorized users with regular training on how to prevent data loss. Encourage the development of good habits across the organization, such as frequently backing up files and important information.
Establish Data Access Policies
Consider setting up data access policies to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Clearly define users with access to different files, meaning only people with the correct access levels can view and edit certain files. SaaS platforms can often be customized to assign permissions and roles for added security.
Involve Application Administrators In The Backup Procedures
SaaS backup solutions typically involve business application owners who will regularly perform backup and recovery tasks. This can help streamline the process and make it more flexible. It is important to maintain good collaboration and communication between IT and business application owners.
Make Backup Testing A Routine
Finally, businesses will want to test their backup on a routine basis. By testing SaaS backup solutions, business leaders can determine how long it could take for their systems to recover after data loss or corruption. Performing these tests also enables businesses to communicate the impact of human error with their team to prevent further occurrences in the future.
Reach Out To An Experienced SaaS Application Development Company
Businesses that maintain a successful SaaS backup solution can enjoy many benefits, such as faster restored data, regular data quality checks and streamlined compliance. SaaS backups are the best way to protect data while providing the endless benefits of cloud technology. For more information about developing a SaaS backup solution, contact the SaaS application developers at Orases by calling 301.756.5527 or by scheduling a consultation online today.
