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Cloud-Native Backup vs Traditional Backup: Which Backup Solution is Better for Companies Operating in the Cloud?

June 01, 2021

Introduction

As more companies move to the cloud, there's been an increasing demand for cloud-native backup solutions. But is cloud-native backup really better than traditional backup for companies operating in the cloud? In this post, we'll look at the differences between cloud-native backup and traditional backup, and explore which option is better for cloud-based companies.

Cloud-Native Backup vs. Traditional Backup: What's the Difference?

Before we start comparing the two, let's first define cloud-native backup and traditional backup.

Cloud-Native Backup:

Cloud-native backup is a backup solution that's specifically designed for cloud-based environments. It's built to work seamlessly with cloud infrastructure, and can automatically scale up or down as needed. This type of backup often uses cloud storage services such as AWS S3 or Azure Blob Storage, and is managed through a cloud-based dashboard.

Traditional Backup:

Traditional backup, on the other hand, is a more traditional approach to data backup. It involves backing up data to physical storage devices such as tapes or hard drives. This approach is often managed by IT teams, and it can be time-consuming and costly.

The Pros and Cons of Cloud-Native Backup

There are several benefits of using cloud-native backup for companies operating in the cloud:

  • Scalability: Cloud-native backup can automatically scale up or down as needed, depending on the amount of data being backed up.

  • Cost-effective: Cloud-native backup solutions are often less expensive than traditional backup solutions because they don't require the purchase of physical hardware.

  • Flexibility: Cloud-native backup can be easily integrated with other cloud-based services and applications.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using cloud-native backup:

  • Connectivity: If the company's internet connection goes down, it can impact the ability to backup data to the cloud.

  • Security: There are concerns around the security of cloud-native backup solutions, particularly around the vulnerability of cloud storage services to hacking.

The Pros and Cons of Traditional Backup

Now, let's look at some of the advantages of traditional backup:

  • Control: With traditional backup, IT teams have complete control over the backup process and can customize the backup process to meet specific needs.

  • Security: Traditional backup solutions allow companies to maintain control of their data, reducing the risk of data breaches.

  • Offline availability: Backups stored offline are not vulnerable to online security risks such as hacking.

However, there are also some potential disadvantages of traditional backup:

  • Cost: Traditional backup solutions can be expensive due to the need for physical hardware and IT staff to maintain it.

  • Limited scalability: Traditional backup solutions can be limited in their scalability, which can be problematic for companies that frequently expand their data storage.

Conclusion

So, which backup solution is better for companies operating in the cloud? As is often the case, the answer is "it depends". While cloud-native backup offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, traditional backup provides control, security, and offline availability.

Many companies are now opting for a hybrid approach, using both cloud-native and traditional backup solutions together. This allows them to take advantage of the best features of each backup strategy, while also minimizing the downsides.

In the end, it's up to individual companies to weigh the pros and cons of each backup solution and determine which approach is right for them.

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