Cybersecurity is an important consideration for modern businesses and is even forcing some non-tech businesses to think more like the giants in Silicon Valley. A data breach can cost a lot of money in fines, legal fees, and lost business. When most people consider cybersecurity, they take a proactive approach and focus on prevention. However, it’s also important to consider what happens if data is corrupted. That’s why it’s essential to SaaS backup of your data– because most SaaS providers don’t.
What is SaaS Data?
SaaS stands for “Software as a Service,” one of the three categories of cloud computing. By using SaaS, businesses aren’t required to purchase, install, and maintain heavy hardware. Instead, they run their operation applications through the cloud. For example, a business that uses G Suite for word processing and file sharing takes advantage of SaaS backup.
The problem with backup is that most providers don’t offer additional security beyond what’s necessary, leaving the onus on businesses to implement Cloud to Cloud backup for SaaS application data. Most businesses are unknowingly in a perilous position as they don’t realize that their data isn’t backed up; it’s a classic case of not knowing what they don’t know.
Causes and Implications of Data Loss
Data loss may not sound serious, but anyone who has experienced data loss would argue that it can be devastating. It’s the same feeling as finishing 90% of a major school project and having the computer crash before you can hit save. From a business standpoint, data loss can cost thousands– or even millions– of dollars.
There are a lot of reasons for data loss that expand beyond a computer crashing or a data breach. In fact, those reasons tend to be rare occurrences in comparison to the main causes of data loss, which is end-user deletion or human error. This makes it even more important to consider SaaS backup coverage.
While many SaaS providers will boast about their security and data backup protocols, these will only cover you to an extent. If the end-user causes a data loss, their ability to intervene becomes extremely limited, and they are not liable for the loss. It’s estimated that 70% of small firms that experience a significant data loss go out of business within the year following.
Slow Backup
While some third-party providers have backup protocols that are designed to protect the best interests of their clients, it’s not always sufficient. There are various causes of slow backup, including a mismatch in technology, damaged files, or the core issues caused by the breach not being resolved.
The reality of a data loss scenario is that a company doesn’t have months to wait for their data to be restored. By failing to invest in the right cloud storage provider, this could very well be the case.
SaaS Backup and Security Measures
So how can a business counteract the risks of data loss and ensure that their information is protected, without sacrificing the convenience of working with SaaS? The most important step to take is implementing a third-party backup program. In doing so, a business protects the gaps between end-user and provider liability. This also helps ensure data security compliance in an ever-evolving technological world.
The other crucial thing that businesses must do to protect their SaaS data is to educate employees. As the end-user error is the most common cause of data loss, employee education can go a long way in all areas of cybersecurity. From teaching them the implications of downloading files on the company network to understanding when to save and what not to delete, education will protect both the business and the employee. Remember, cybersecurity and job security go hand in hand.
Finally, adding access restrictions and limiting the interactions between human employees and the data can help reduce the chances of data loss. Access rights management ensures that only those who have the need and education to access the data can do so.
Changing Compliance
Cybersecurity isn’t just something to discuss with a third party provider or to consider from an internal standpoint. As previously mentioned, there are also changing compliance rules to consider and subtle contract changes from both a B2B and B2C standpoint.
Compliance is a multifaceted issue. Businesses not only have to consider how they store current data, but also how their legacy data is handled. The official implementation of GDPR also saw significant changes in how data is being collected and stored. This European-based mandate resonated throughout the world, due to the interconnectivity of the global marketplace. The US is expected to release its own legislation, which could further impact global businesses.
Internet law has always been a gray area, as it connects so many different areas of the world with their own set of rules and regulations. As the Internet of Things becomes more prevalent in day-to-day life, these issues will only intensify.
Terms and Conditions
It’s also important to consider the terms and conditions as outlined by the provider. Those who opt for a more affordable backup option would do well to read the long, tedious terms and conditions line by line before agreeing. Failing to do so could mean agreeing to something that could result in data loss.
In 2008, Hotmail ended up in trouble over their large-scale project that was meant to reduce storage utilization. They started by deleting accounts that hadn’t been logged into in 30 days. If users logged in within 90 days, they could recover their account and contacts, though all emails were permanently deleted. The email addresses from those accounts were recycled for new users, creating significant cybersecurity issues that could have been prevented if users read the updated terms and conditions before agreeing (and Hotmail took the time to understand the implications of their plan).
Invest in the Future
Many businesses make the mistake of wondering if they can afford reliable cybersecurity measures. In reality, the question should be “can we afford not to have these protocols in place?” to which the answer is a resounding no. Data protection is an investment in the future of the business, and SaaS backup is key.
a construction site against the clear sky
