How long can we keep data in backup?
You can configure your own retention policies, and be granular about it, applying some policies to some users in your organisation, and different policies to others.
If you have specific compliance needs, select our Concierge custom configuration option at set up.
Data Retention Rules vary by Industry and country.
Many industries are subject to data retention rules due to legal, regulatory, and compliance obligations. These mandates often specify how long certain types of data must be kept, the storage format, and eventually, how data should be disposed of. Failure to comply can lead to significant fines, legal penalties,
Our backup solutions are applicable for businesses in Accounting, Healthcare, Legal, Telecommunications and Financial Services (Banking, Investment, Insurance).
If you have a specific requirement please get in touch.
How do we get started with Cloud Backup?
Once your subscription is in place we’ll send you an invite to book a meeting. We’ll run through the basics of authenticating your account and getting you initial backup running.
This must be done by a Super Administrator.
In that call, we’ll cover off the basics of which users and what data you would like to backup and backup will start immediately.
How do we restore files from business backup? Is it self service?
If you are not comfortable with tech – that’s no problem. Contact us with details of the file – the name, owner and the folder it was located in (as much information as you can really), and we’ll help you find the versions available so you can choose what to restore.
For those comfortable with tech, you may login to the Backup Console and search for the files or emails as you need. The interface is very user friendly and with full text search of your backup data you can search the content of emails, for example.
Finally you can choose to restore you data in place, or to another user or location.
Can I choose what users / data to backup?
The backup licensing is flexible so you can apply backup to only certain users within your account. It is a per user per month pricing configuration.
When you configure your account you can choose what drives and shared drives to backup. This means you have granular control. You can even choose to not backup emails that have certain labels (great for sensitive or compliance requirements).
Is Google Vault the same thing as Backup?
Google Vault is specifically designed for e-discovery which means it has backup like features to collect data and prevent it from deletion, however it is not a backup solution.
E-discovery, short for electronic discovery, is the legal process of identifying, collecting, preserving, processing, reviewing, analyzing, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) in response to a legal or regulatory request.
While Google Vault provides some primitive recovery capabilities and so it can often be mistaken for backup.
Vault does not protect against:
- Data loss due to permanent deletion: If an admin or end user permanently deletes data, files are only recoverable for a short period of time. Plus, it doesn’t provide admins the granular control they need—only a restore of all deleted items in a 25 day window.
- Data loss due to a ransomware attack: If your business suffers a ransomware attack, Google doesn’t allow you to roll-back your data to a point-in-time before the corruption occurred. If you cannot restore your data to the point before the attack happened, you end up losing not only your valuable business data, but also a hefty sum of money to criminals—without any guarantee your files will be unlocked, or any future protection from the same attack.
- Time lost in recovering files: The time it takes to recover data from the cloud might take longer than what your business can afford. It can take anywhere from minutes to weeks or longer to restore lost data.
- Data loss due to inactive licenses: As one would expect, an active Google Workspace license is required to access Google Workspace data. Unfortunately, inactive or deprovisioned user data is permanently deleted, and there is no rollback option.
Cloud backup sounds like another expense. Is it really worth it for a small business with a tight budget?
We understand budget constraints are a major concern for small businesses. However, view cloud backup not as an expense, but as a crucial investment in your business continuity and security. The cost of not having a reliable backup when you need it – due to lost sales, operational downtime (ransomware costs billions in downtime!), regulatory fines, or damage to your reputation – can be far, far greater than the affordable monthly cost of a cloud backup service. Many businesses decline security recommendations due to cost, but this can be a very expensive mistake in the long run.
If we do suffer data loss, how quickly can we get back up and running?
Recovery time depends on the amount of data and the nature of the incident. However, our cloud backup is designed for efficient restoration. You can typically restore individual files or folders quickly. For larger incidents, we work with you to get your critical systems restored as fast as possible. We also advise on safe recovery practices, like restoring to a clean, isolated environment first to avoid re-infection, a step only 37% of businesses currently take.
What if our backups themselves get infected by ransomware?
This is a valid concern, as attackers do target backups. Our solution employs several layers of protection:
- AI engine: performs pre-emptive backups in case of attacks
- Offsite Storage: Your backups are stored separately from your primary systems, making them harder for ransomware on your network to reach.
- Immutable Storage (Included): This technology makes your backed-up data unchangeable for a set period, so even if attackers gain access, they can’t encrypt or delete the backup. This immutable cloud backup format protects data deletion or modification.
- Air Gapping (Conceptual): Keeping backups logically (and sometimes physically) separate. These measures ensure your backup data remains clean and available for recovery.
How do we know our backed-up data is secure and that we can actually get it back?
Security and recoverability are our top priorities. We use strong encryption for your data both while it’s being transferred and when it’s stored in the cloud. We also implement immutable storage (making backups unchangeable by ransomware) and storing multiple copies in different locations (following principles like the 3-2-1 rule). Crucially, we emphasize testing your data recovery process, so you have complete confidence you can restore what you need, when you need it. Many IT professionals (60%) lack full confidence in their current systems, often due to outdated solutions.
What kind of data should we be backing up?
You should back up any data that is critical to your business operations. This includes:
- Microsoft 365 data: Emails, OneDrive files, SharePoint sites, Teams data.
- Google Workspace data: Gmail, Drive files, Shared Drives, Contacts, Calendar.
- Files & Folders: Critical documents, spreadsheets, databases, customer records, financial data stored on your computers or local server.
- Application Data: Data from any other essential business applications you use. Email and mail contacts are the most frequently recovered items, highlighting their importance.
We don’t have an IT department. Is cloud backup complicated to set up and manage?
Not at all! Our cloud backup solution is designed specifically for small businesses like yours, without dedicated IT staff. Setup is typically straightforward, with an easy-to-understand interface. We handle the complexities on our end, so you can focus on running your business. Backups can be automated, and we provide clear alerts if anything needs attention.
We’ve never had a major data loss incident. Why should we invest in backup now?
That’s fortunate, but relying on past luck is a risky strategy. The threats are constantly evolving, and the potential cost of a single data loss incident – in terms of lost revenue, reputational damage, and operational chaos – far outweighs the proactive cost of a reliable backup solution. Think of it like insurance; you hope you never need it, but you can’t afford to be without it when disaster strikes. Data shows that security is often seen as a cost until it’s too late.
What’s this ‘ransomware’ I keep hearing about? How does cloud backup help?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts your files, making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom. It’s a huge threat, costing small businesses billions annually in downtime. Cybercriminals are smart and even target backup systems – in 76% of attacks, they try to affect backups. Cloud backup, especially with features like immutable (unchangeable) storage and offsite copies, acts as your last line of defense. If ransomware strikes, you can restore your clean data from a secure backup without paying criminals. Worryingly, one in three organizations that paid a ransom still couldn’t recover their data.
We’re a small business. Are we really a target for data loss or cyberattacks?
Absolutely. Data loss can happen to any business, regardless of size. Nearly 80% of incidents are due to common issues like human error (e.g., accidentally deleting files, falling for a phishing email), hardware failure (computers or servers crashing – affecting around 44% of businesses), or even natural disasters. For small businesses, the impact of losing critical data like customer information, financial records, or operational files can be devastating.
How can SixFive’s Cloud Backup help me when applying for Cyber Insurance?
Our Cloud Backup solution helps you satisfy many of the critical data backup, protection, and recovery criteria that cyber insurance providers typically require. By ensuring your Google Workspace data is regularly backed up, securely stored, and readily recoverable, SixFive Cloud Backup can simplify the process of answering insurer questions and demonstrating your commitment to data security. For a comprehensive list of how our specific features (like backup frequency, immutability, encryption, and ransomware protection) address common insurance requirements, please refer to our detailed knowledge base article: “Meeting Cyber Insurance Requirements with SixFive Cloud Backup”.