Best 10 Server Backup Software For Business (2026)
We reviewed the leading server backup platforms on backup window efficiency, restoration speed under realistic conditions, and encryption depth. Here's what we think is worth running in production.
Written by
Caitlin Harris
Technical Review by
Craig MacAlpine
Quick Summary
Server backup software protects physical and virtual server data against failure, ransomware, and deletion — with restoration speed and reliability under load the primary variables that separate platforms in practice. A backup that takes hours to restore is operationally equivalent to no backup during a critical incident. We reviewed the top platforms and found NinjaOne Backup, Datto Endpoint Backup for Servers, and Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Backup to be the strongest on backup efficiency and verified restoration performance.
Server backup is unglamorous until the day you need it. A corrupted database, ransomware encryption, or a bad patch can take down your entire business in minutes. The problem is that backup choices span a wide spectrum: appliance-based solutions requiring hardware, cloud-native SaaS platforms, MSP-focused tools for managing multiple clients, and niche solutions for specific workloads like VMware or Hyper-V. Choose wrong and you’re either paying for features you don’t need or scrambling during an outage because your backup doesn’t cover your environment.
The gap between an adequate backup solution and one that actually works during a crisis is substantial. Some platforms boast extensive features but hide complexity in configuration. Others keep things simple but lack critical recovery options. The cost difference between vendors can vary dramatically based on how you measure capacity, and some vendors exploit this through licensing tricks that catch you off guard during budget season.
We evaluated multiple server backup solutions across on premises appliances, cloud-native platforms, hybrid deployments, and MSP-focused tools. We evaluated automation reliability, recovery speed and granularity, deployment complexity, alongside ransomware defense capabilities and real world pricing. We reviewed customer feedback on where platforms delivered and where expectations fell short. What we found: the right choice depends heavily on whether you’re backing up physical servers, virtualized workloads, or a mix of both.
This guide gives you the testing insights to match the right server backup solution to your environment, team size, and infrastructure.
Our Recommendations
Your ideal backup solution depends on infrastructure, team structure, and whether you need appliance hardware or cloud-native deployment. Think about which gap costs you the most time today.
- Best For Enterprise Virtual Environments: NinjaOne Backup — Veeam Backup & Replication delivers mature, battle-tested protection with 25 recovery options and automatic backup testing.
- Best For MSP Multi-Tenant Management: Datto Endpoint Backup for Servers — NinjaOne Backup and N-able Cove both offer centralized consoles for managing client backups.
- Best For Cloud-First Deployments: Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Backup — Datto Endpoint Backup eliminates appliance overhead with cloud-native architecture and instant cloud spinup for disaster recovery.
- Best For Ransomware Defense: Hornetsecurity VM Backup — Acronis Cyber Protect leads with continuous backup, AI-powered ransomware protection, and immutable storage.
- Best For Compliance-Heavy Environments: AOMEI Backupper Server — Druva for Hybrid Workloads combines SaaS simplicity with SOC-2, HIPAA, and Privacy Shield certifications.
NinjaOne Backup is part of a unified IT management platform built for MSPs and internal IT teams managing hybrid environments. We think it’s a strong fit for organizations that want backup tightly integrated with endpoint monitoring, patching, and remote access in a single console. NinjaOne has surpassed 15,000 backup customers as of April 2026, which speaks to the platform’s momentum.
NinjaOne Backup Key Features
NinjaOne handles file, folder, and image backups across cloud, local, and hybrid storage with full, differential, and incremental options. The 2026 Boot Verify feature automatically tests backup recoverability by booting images in a virtual environment and using AI to analyze the results, which removes manual verification from your workflow. Conditional policies retry backups automatically when sleeping devices wake, and MFA is enforced on access, self-service restore, and deletion. AES 256-bit encryption covers data at rest and in transit, and segmented processing isolates MSP client data between tenants.
What Customers Say
Customers say onboarding support and training are strong, with several pointing to fast time-to-value for new teams. File-level restore from image backups gets repeated mentions as a time-saver during partial recovery. Some users report that alert threshold configuration requires trial and error to fine-tune notification behavior.
Our Take
We think NinjaOne Backup works best if you already want NinjaOne for broader IT management. The backup module slots into the same console you use for patching and remote access, which reduces tool sprawl. Standalone backup buyers looking only for server protection might find better value in a dedicated backup platform.
Strengths
- AI-driven Boot Verify tests recoverability automatically
- File-level restore from image backups speeds partial recovery
- MFA enforced on restore and deletion prevents unauthorized access
- Conditional policies retry backups when sleeping devices wake
Cautions
- Users report alert thresholds need trial and error to fine-tune
- Best value when bundled with the broader NinjaOne platform
Datto Endpoint Backup for Servers delivers cloud-native, appliance-free protection for Windows server workloads. We think the instant cloud spinup for disaster recovery is the standout capability here. If you’re an MSP or IT team managing distributed environments and want backup without hardware overhead, this removes the friction.
Datto Endpoint Backup for Servers Key Features
A lightweight agent pushes backups directly to Datto Cloud with AES 256-bit encryption, with no local appliance to rack, power, or maintain. Recovery options include full image restores, individual file recovery, and instant cloud spinup of entire servers in Datto Cloud for disaster recovery. Ransomware scans run automatically, and Cloud Deletion Defense protects against accidental or malicious removal. Support covers Windows Server 2022 down to 2012 R2, with Domain Controller and Active Directory recovery support planned for Q2 2026.
What Customers Say
Customers say deployment is fast, with the agent installing quickly and integrating well with Datto RMM and Autotask PSA. The Backup Portal consolidates client oversight into a single view. Some customer reviews note that backup frequency is fixed with no option to customize scheduling intervals, which creates friction for teams with tighter RPO requirements.
Our Take
We think Datto Endpoint Backup fits best if you already run Datto RMM or Autotask PSA. The integrations tighten your workflow and reduce console hopping. Flat-fee pricing with no hidden storage costs keeps budgets predictable, which is a real advantage for MSPs managing margins across multiple clients.
Strengths
- Appliance-free architecture eliminates hardware overhead entirely
- Instant cloud spinup enables fast disaster recovery
- Flat-fee pricing with no surprise overage charges
- Ransomware scanning and Cloud Deletion Defense included
Cautions
- Backup frequency is fixed with no custom scheduling intervals
- Cloud-only storage with no local NAS or hybrid option
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Backup
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud combines server backup with endpoint security, email protection, DLP, and RMM in a single platform. We were impressed by the continuous backup approach, which triggers on file changes rather than fixed schedules. If you want backup tightly coupled with security monitoring and ransomware defense, Acronis is one of the strongest options in this category.
Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud Backup Key Features
Continuous backup gives you tighter recovery point objectives than scheduled-only approaches. Coverage spans Windows Server, Linux, Oracle, SAP HANA, VMware, Hyper-V, and cloud applications across more than 25 supported platforms. The AI-powered ransomware protection blocks unauthorized file modification and encryption, and Acronis verifies backup authenticity before restoration to prevent reinfecting systems with dormant malware. The runVM technology enables near-instant restores to same or dissimilar hardware. Immutable storage prevents backup tampering during active incidents.
What Customers Say
Customers say the all-in-one model reduces tool sprawl and vendor management overhead. The multi-tenant architecture and flexible licensing suit MSPs managing diverse client environments. Based on customer reviews, feature density creates a steeper learning curve for teams new to the platform, and some users report that console page loads feel slow when navigating between sections.
Our Take
We think Acronis makes the most sense if your team wants backup, endpoint protection, and security monitoring consolidated into one platform. The continuous backup model and AI-powered ransomware defense are a strong combination for organizations prioritizing ransomware resilience. Storage flexibility across Acronis-hosted, Google, Microsoft, or your own cloud adds deployment options that most competitors don’t offer.
Strengths
- Continuous backup triggers on file changes, not schedules
- AI-powered ransomware protection blocks unauthorized encryption
- Immutable storage prevents tampering during active incidents
- runVM restores to dissimilar hardware for flexible DR
Cautions
- Reviews mention feature density creates a steeper learning curve
- Customers note console page loads can feel slow between sections
Hornetsecurity VM Backup
Hornetsecurity VM Backup (formerly Altaro) provides continuous data protection for Hyper-V and VMware environments. We think the CDP model and flexible offsite destination options are the real selling points here. If you’re an SMB or MSP looking for straightforward VM backup with strong support and data sovereignty controls, this is well worth considering.
Hornetsecurity VM Backup Key Features
CDP runs backups as frequently as every five minutes, which minimizes data loss windows compared to scheduled-only approaches. You can configure multiple offsite destinations including local storage, Wasabi, AWS, or your own colo hypervisor. Retention policies are customizable per VM, and AES 256-bit encryption applies automatically to offsite backups. Immutable cloud storage blocks ransomware from modifying or deleting backup data. The platform monitors backup health and auto-repairs corrupted backups, and augmented inline deduplication reduces storage requirements.
What Customers Say
Customers say the support team is a recurring strength, with average call pickup under 30 seconds getting repeated mentions. WAN-optimized replication for continuous VM replication to remote sites is valued by MSPs with distributed clients. Some users report that portal navigation became less intuitive after the Altaro to Hornetsecurity transition.
Our Take
We think Hornetsecurity VM Backup fits well if you manage multiple client environments and need data sovereignty controls alongside strong CDP. The centralized portal and per-VM retention flexibility support compliance requirements. This is really beneficial if you’re looking for a backup solution alongside email security, since Hornetsecurity covers both from one vendor.
Strengths
- Continuous data protection as frequently as every five minutes reduces recovery point gaps
- Multiple offsite destinations including cloud storage and MSP-managed colo hypervisors
- Immutable cloud storage prevents ransomware from tampering with backup data
- Support team responds quickly with average call pickup under 30 seconds
Cautions
- Some customers flag that portal navigation became less intuitive after the Altaro to Hornetsecurity transition
- Based on customer reviews, offsite backup failures sometimes require manual restart rather than automatic retry
AOMEI Backupper Server
AOMEI Backupper Server handles backup, sync, and cloning for Windows server environments at a price point that undercuts most of the market. We think the clean interface and bare metal recovery to dissimilar hardware are the strongest selling points. If you’re a small or mid-sized team that needs reliable protection without enterprise complexity, this is a good option to consider.
AOMEI Backupper Server Key Features
AOMEI offers full, incremental, and differential backup with daily, weekly, monthly, or event-triggered scheduling. AES 256-bit encryption protects backups, with destination flexibility across cloud storage providers. Bare metal recovery works to same or dissimilar hardware via the universal restore module. Cloning features handle system migration and disk replication. Pricing starts at $149 per year or $249 for a lifetime single-server license, which makes this one of the most accessible options in this category.
What Customers Say
Customers say the interface is clean and intuitive, with most users getting running without extensive documentation. Installation is quick, and the GUI walks you through backup and restore workflows. According to customer feedback, the platform lacks anti-tampering protection, malware scanning, and MFA, which limits its suitability for compliance-driven environments. Some users also report inconsistent support responsiveness.
Our Take
We think AOMEI Backupper Server makes sense for budget-conscious SMBs that need straightforward Windows server protection without the overhead of enterprise platforms. There are trade-offs. The lack of immutability, ransomware scanning, and MFA means this isn’t the right choice for regulated environments or organizations facing active threat exposure.
Strengths
- Clean interface makes backup configuration and restoration accessible without training
- Bare metal recovery to dissimilar hardware supports flexible disaster recovery scenarios
- Event-triggered backups capture changes beyond fixed schedule intervals
- Pricing starts at $149 per year, making it one of the most affordable server backup options
Cautions
- No anti-tampering, malware protection, or MFA limits compliance suitability
- Some customers report support responsiveness is inconsistent, with some tickets going unanswered
CrashPlan
CrashPlan delivers continuous endpoint and server backup with unlimited storage and a focus on ransomware recovery and legal hold. We think the unlimited storage model and HIPAA compliance support are the standout features. If you need long retention periods and capacity planning isn’t something you want to think about, CrashPlan removes that overhead.
CrashPlan Key Features
Continuous backup runs automatically as files are created or modified, with no fixed schedules to manage. AES 256-bit encryption covers data in transit and at rest. Unlimited storage and file size support removes capacity constraints entirely. The recovery algorithm prioritizes recently used files, getting users productive faster during restores. Custom retention policies support long-term preservation for legal hold requirements, and BAA availability makes this viable for HIPAA-regulated environments. Deployment options include cloud-hosted, hybrid, or fully on-premises infrastructure with support for NAS, iSCSI, and object storage targets.
What Customers Say
Customers say Mac support is a recurring strength, with the central console providing good visibility across users, devices, and organizations. Remote file restoration directly to endpoints saves time during incidents. Some customer reviews note that the MSP management interface is difficult to navigate compared to competitors, and RMM integrations are limited. The file-based approach means no image backups or bare metal recovery, which limits disaster recovery options for server workloads.
Our Take
We think CrashPlan works best for endpoint backup at scale, especially Mac fleets. The unlimited storage model and legal hold capabilities suit organizations with data retention mandates. But the lack of image backup and bare metal recovery means this isn’t a complete server disaster recovery solution, so consider your recovery requirements carefully.
Strengths
- Unlimited storage and file size removes capacity constraints for growing data volumes
- Continuous backup runs automatically without fixed schedule management overhead
- Recovery algorithm restores recently used files first to minimize user downtime
- BAA availability and retention policies support HIPAA compliance requirements
Cautions
- File-based only with no image backup or bare metal recovery option
- Some customer reviews note the MSP management interface is difficult to navigate and lacks RMM integrations
Druva for Hybrid Workloads
Druva for Hybrid Workloads delivers cloud-native backup for Windows, Linux, NAS, VMware, Nutanix AHV, Hyper-V, Oracle, SAP HANA, and MS SQL servers. We were impressed by the certification stack and the SaaS delivery model, which removes infrastructure management entirely. If you handle sensitive data like PII, PHI, or legal records across hybrid infrastructure, this is a very strong solution to consider.
Druva for Hybrid Workloads Key Features
Druva runs entirely on AWS with no hardware to rack and no software to install locally. The incremental forever model with automatic deduplication and auto storage tiering keeps costs predictable as data grows. Security controls include RBAC, MFA, activity monitoring, and immutable backups as standard. AES 256-bit and TLS 1.2 encryption protect data in transit and at rest. SOC-2 Type-II, HIPAA, and Privacy Shield certifications support regulated environments. A 2026 update added protection for Azure Blob storage accounts with Public Network Access disabled, supporting strict data exfiltration policies.
What Customers Say
Customers say the SaaS delivery model eliminates infrastructure headaches and scales easily by adjusting subscriptions. Global text search for fast file-level recovery across large backup sets gets positive mentions. According to some customer reviews, initial backups and large restores run slower due to the cloud-only architecture. A few users note RBAC and reporting customization options could be more granular.
Our Take
We think Druva fits best if you manage sensitive data across hybrid infrastructure and need compliance coverage without running backup infrastructure. The certification stack and immutable backup model support audit requirements cleanly. The pay-only-for-what-you-use pricing model with global deduplication is a real advantage for organizations watching storage costs.
Strengths
- SaaS delivery eliminates hardware management and simplifies capacity scaling
- SOC-2, HIPAA, and Privacy Shield certifications support regulated data environments
- Incremental forever backup with deduplication reduces storage consumption over time
- Global text search enables fast file-level recovery across large backup sets
Cautions
- According to some customer reviews, initial backups and large restores run slower due to cloud-only architecture
- Some customers note RBAC and reporting customization options could be more granular
N-able Cove Data Protection
N-able Cove Data Protection offers cloud-first backup and disaster recovery for physical and virtual servers, workstations, and applications. We think the multi-tenant console and global data center network are the real differentiators for MSPs. If you manage multiple client environments and need data sovereignty controls, Cove handles that well.
N-able Cove Data Protection Key Features
Incremental backups are up to 60x smaller than traditional image backup products, so you can back up servers as frequently as every 15 minutes without burdening the network. Backups push to N-able’s private cloud across more than 30 global data centers, and you pick your storage location for sovereignty requirements. Retention extends up to seven years. Recovery options cover bare metal, physical to virtual, and virtual to virtual scenarios. AES 256-bit encryption protects data at rest and in transit. A 2026 update added official support for Windows Server 2025 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and the new Group-Based Data Protection feature simplifies policy management across large device fleets.
What Customers Say
Customers say the automated daily reporting is highly customizable and reduces manual monitoring overhead. Script-based deployment simplifies fleet-wide installation across diverse environments. Some users report that large data recoveries run slower than local or hybrid backup alternatives, and retention policy configuration during initial setup requires navigating multiple menus.
Our Take
We think Cove fits well if you manage multiple client environments and value efficient cloud transfer with minimal bandwidth impact. The 30+ data center network gives you sovereignty options that most cloud-first backup tools don’t offer. The 60x smaller incremental backups are a real advantage for MSPs backing up servers over client networks with limited bandwidth.
Strengths
- Multi-tenant console enables efficient backup management across multiple client environments
- 30+ global data centers provide flexibility for data sovereignty and compliance requirements
- Incremental backups up to 60x smaller than image backup products minimize bandwidth impact
- Now supports Windows Server 2025 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS as of 2026
Cautions
- Some customers report large data recoveries run slower than local or hybrid backup alternatives
- Based on customer reviews, retention policy configuration during initial setup requires navigating multiple menus
Veeam Backup & Replication
Veeam Backup & Replication is the flagship product from one of the largest backup vendors globally, covering Windows, Linux, VMware, and Hyper-V servers. We think this is the most mature server backup platform on the market, and the v13 release in 2026 introduced a significant architectural shift to a Linux-based appliance model with over 100 improvements. If you need battle-tested protection with deep recovery options, Veeam is the benchmark.
Veeam Backup & Replication Key Features
Veeam offers 25 recovery options spanning full system restores to granular file-level retrieval. Backups store in native format, which speeds up restoration compared to proprietary archive approaches. Automatic backup testing validates recoverability without manual intervention. The v13 release introduced a Linux-based Veeam Software Appliance (VSA), a new HTTPS web console, RBAC with scoped roles, SAML 2.0 SSO with Entra ID integration, and high availability clustering. Recon Scanner 3.0 and a new Malware Analysis AI Agent provide real-time visibility into suspicious activity, including failed logins and abnormal file modifications. Immutability is now enabled by default.
What Customers Say
Customers say backup performance is consistent across virtual server environments, with restorations working smoothly and the interface providing clear visibility into key functions. The sales team gets credit for straightforward capability discussions without overpromising. Some customer reviews flag that reporting and customization options may not meet detailed compliance requirements, and initial setup can feel unintuitive when configuring specific backup object selection.
Our Take
We think Veeam fits most mid-size and enterprise environments needing mature server backup. The 25 recovery options and automatic backup testing reduce risk during actual incidents. Community editions make enterprise-grade features accessible to smaller organizations, which is a strong move for teams that want to start small and scale up.
Strengths
- 25 recovery options span full system restores to granular file-level retrieval
- v13 introduces Linux-based architecture with RBAC, SSO, and high availability clustering
- Automatic backup testing validates recoverability without manual verification overhead
- Community editions provide enterprise-grade features accessible to smaller organizations
Cautions
- Some customer reviews flag that reporting and customization options may not meet detailed compliance requirements
- Some users flag initial setup can feel unintuitive when configuring specific backup object selection
Arctera Backup Exec
Arctera Backup Exec (formerly Veritas Backup Exec) delivers backup and recovery for SMBs running Windows, Linux, and VMware servers. Backup Exec was spun off from Veritas as part of Arctera in December 2024, when Cohesity acquired Veritas’ data protection business. We think the single all-inclusive license and GDPR Guard feature are the strongest selling points for European and compliance-focused buyers.
Arctera Backup Exec Key Features
Arctera Backup Exec writes to cloud storage or on-premises backup servers, with in-line deduplication to reduce storage costs and bandwidth consumption. Recovery options include bare metal, physical to virtual, and virtual to physical scenarios. The latest release (v25.1) adds support for Windows Server 2025, Malware Detection v2 with support for third-party malware scanners, Microsoft 365 Teams Private Channels backup, and Entra ID tenant data backup and restore. The GDPR Guard feature helps organizations meet European data protection requirements. A single all-inclusive license covers all backup features with no per-feature add-ons.
What Customers Say
Customers say the interface is intuitive and the licensing model is simple compared to competitors that charge per feature or per capacity tier. Granular VM backup works well, and scalability handles growth without major reconfiguration. Some users report that the platform requires a Windows Server for deployment, which limits flexibility for Linux-only environments.
Our Take
We think Arctera Backup Exec suits SMBs that want a single console for hybrid cloud and on-premises workloads with straightforward licensing. The GDPR Guard feature and Entra ID backup support make this a practical choice for European organizations. With that said, there is no MSP multi-tenancy support, so service providers managing multiple clients will need to look elsewhere.
Strengths
- Single all-inclusive license covers all backup features without per-feature pricing complexity
- GDPR Guard feature simplifies compliance for European data protection requirements
- v25.1 adds Windows Server 2025 support, Malware Detection v2, and Entra ID backup
- In-line deduplication reduces storage costs and minimizes bandwidth strain
Cautions
- Requires Windows Server for deployment, limiting Linux-only environment options
- No MSP multi-tenancy support for service providers managing multiple clients
What To Look For: Server Backup Checklist
When evaluating server backup solutions, we’ve identified six essential criteria. Here’s the checklist of questions you should be asking:
- Workload Support: Does it backup your specific workloads? Physical servers, VMware, Hyper-V, Linux, databases, SaaS applications? Can one platform cover everything or do you need multiple tools?
- Recovery Capabilities: How many recovery options ship with the platform? Can you restore full systems, individual files, entire applications? How fast are recoveries? Can you test recoveries without impacting production?
- Storage And Deployment: Does it require physical appliances or is it cloud-native? Can you backup to local storage, cloud storage, or both? What’s the total hardware and infrastructure cost versus per-user licensing?
- Ransomware And Compliance: Does the platform include ransomware detection and response? Are backups immutable? Does it cover your compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC-2)? Can you demonstrate compliance during audits?
- Pricing Transparency: Is pricing per-server, per-socket, per-core, or per-size? Are there hidden storage costs? How do costs scale as your data grows? Does the vendor clearly explain total cost of ownership?
- Multi-Tenant And MSP Support: If you’re an MSP, is there a multi-tenant console? Can clients see their backups without seeing other clients’ data? Are there granular permission controls?
Prioritize your deployment model first. Cloud-native is simpler but may lack local recovery options. Appliance-based gives you local control but requires hardware investment. Evaluate recovery capabilities and pricing transparency early to avoid surprise costs down the line.
How We Compared The Best Server Backup Software
Expert Insights is an independent editorial team that researches, tests, and reviews cybersecurity and IT solutions. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products. Our Editor’s Scores are based solely on product quality. Before testing, we map the full vendor market for each category, identifying all active vendors from market leaders to emerging challengers.
We evaluated 10 server backup platforms covering physical servers, virtual environments, cloud-native deployments, and MSP-focused solutions. We assessed automation reliability, recovery speed and granularity, deployment complexity, ransomware defense and pricing transparency, plus real world operational impact. Each platform was evaluated in scenarios representing typical server backup and recovery needs for organizations of varying sizes.
Beyond hands on testing, we conducted in depth market research and reviewed customer feedback across the backup market to validate vendor claims against operational reality. We spoke with product teams to understand architecture decisions, roadmap priorities, and known limitations. Our editorial and commercial teams operate independently. No vendor can pay to influence our review of their products.
This guide is updated quarterly. For full details on our evaluation process, visit our [How We Test & Review Products]{.underline}.
The Bottom Line
Your ideal server backup solution depends on workload types, deployment model preference, and whether you need multi-tenant management.
For mid-market and enterprise virtual environments, Veeam Backup & Replication remains the market leader with proven reliability and extensive recovery options. Community editions make it accessible to smaller organizations.
For MSPs needing centralized multi-tenant management, NinjaOne Backup integrates with broader IT management, while N-able Cove prioritizes data sovereignty with global data centers.
For cloud-first deployments eliminating appliance hardware, Datto Endpoint Backup delivers fast deployment and instant cloud spinup for disaster recovery.
For ransomware defense and continuous protection, Acronis Cyber Protect leads with AI-powered detection and immutable storage. For compliance-heavy regulated environments, Druva and Veritas Backup Exec bring strong certification stacks.
For budget conscious SMBs needing simple Windows server protection, AOMEI Backupper offers accessible pricing.
Read the individual reviews above to dive into deployment specifics, recovery capabilities, and pricing details that matter for your specific environment.
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Server Backup Software (FAQs)
Backup and recovery is the process of creating copies of your data and writing them out to a secondary storage environment so that you can restore them should the original versions be compromised, deleted, or destroyed.
Backing up and restoring your data manually can be challenging, time consuming, and expensive; it requires you to build and maintain the architecture of your backup environment, manually schedule and test your backups regularly, and deduplicate backups as they’re created.
Because of this, we recommend investing in a third-party backup and recovery solution that will do this for you. Third-party backup tools also often come with added security features built in, such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, role-based access, and ransomware protection. Some also offer compliance-specific features that make it easier to ensure you’re backing up, storing, and recovering your data in line with data protection and privacy regulations.
There are three main ways in which a backup and recovery solution may create backups of your server data:
- The solution creates full backups, making a new backup of every piece of data each time you run a backup. This enables you to restore your data fully and quickly from a single backup, but creating those backups takes a long time and uses a lot of storage space.
- The solution creates differential backups, creating one full backup and then only backing up data that had changed since that full backup. This improves backup speed and means you’ll have less duplicate backups, but slows down restoration as you have to restore the full backup, then the latest differential backup on top.
- The solution creates incremental backups, creating one full backup then only backing up data that has changed since the last backup of any kind. This is the fastest way to backup your data and it requires the least storage space, but it takes the longest time to restore data as you have to retore the full backup, then each incremental backup on top.
Once the backup solution has used one of these methods to create copies of your server data, it writes that data out to a secondary storage facility. This could be in their own private cloud server, in a public cloud server such as Azure or AWS, or on-prem on a local hard drive, disk, or physical server. Some providers also offer hybrid storage options, which allow you to create multiple backup copies and store them both in the cloud and on-prem. This means that no single incident will be able to destroy all of your backups.
You can find more information on the types on backup storage in our market guide to cloud backup and recovery.
The first reason that you should consider backup up your server data is ransomware. Ransomware is a form of malware that holds data hostage by encrypting it, or locks users out of that data. When a threat actor successfully seizes an organization’s data using ransomware, they demand a sum of money for its return. However, it’s important to remember that you’re dealing with a cybercriminal here; paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee you’ll get your data back, nor does it ensure that the attacker will clear the malware from your systems afterwards.
The most effective and efficient way to recover from a ransomware attack is to completely wipe all your systems and storage devices, then reinstall your applications and restore your data using backups. Of course, you can only do this if you’ve created those backups in the first place *pointed look*.
The second benefit to server backup solutions is that they can help you restore data in the event it’s accidentally deleted. The best server backup solutions not only allow you to carry out full system restores, but also offer intuitive search and discovery tools that enable you to easily find and restore individual items.
Backing up your servers can also help you mitigate server downtime caused by natural disasters and hardware failures. While natural disasters are only responsible for 5% of business downtime, almost 25% of organizationsassociate old and inadequate server hardware with reliability issues and downtime. Downtime doesn’t necessarily mean permanent data loss, but it can still cause major disruptions to business operations. In the event of extended downtime caused by a flood, fire, or even just faulty server hardware, a server backup solution can help keep your business productive.
Finally, your organization may be required by federal or industry data protection standards to backup your server data. HIPAA and SOX are among those regulations that explicitly require backups, and there are many others that recommend it as a means of safeguarding your data. If you are looking for a server backup tool for compliance, it’s important that you know exactly what is required of you and find a tool that will enable you to achieve it; for example, you may need to retain backups for a specific period of time, secure them in a certain way, or store them in a certain location.
When comparing server backup software, there are a few key features that you should look out for:
- Automatic and on-demand backups that create copies of your data multiple times a day, or whenever a change is made to a file (continuous data protection)
- Non-destructive, flexible restoration options that allow you to choose which data to restore, to which location it should be restored , and in which format it should be restored
- Granular search and discovery capabilities with filters and a keyword search tool, which let you find the specific data you want to restore
- User authentication that ensures only verified, authorized users can access the backup repository
- An activity log of all user and admin activity within the backup repository and management console
- Compliance with any data protection standards that your organization must comply with, e.g., retention periods, data sovereignty, and security requirements such as encryption
Note: while all these features are important in a server backup tool, you need to prioritize them according to what’s most important to your organization. To do this, you should create an implementation strategy that outlines your main requirements before you start comparing solutions. This should include details such as your storage, retention, and data sovereignty requirements, as well as any other security and compliance needs.
Written By
Caitlin Harris is the Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. As an experienced content writer and editor, Caitlin helps cybersecurity leaders to cut through the noise in the cybersecurity space with expert analysis and insightful recommendations.
Prior to Expert Insights, Caitlin worked at QA Ltd, where she produced award-winning technical training materials, and she has also produced journalistic content over the course of her career.
Caitlin has 8 years of experience in the cybersecurity and technology space, helping technical teams, CISOs, and security professionals find clarity on complex, mission critical topics like security awareness training, backup and recovery, and endpoint protection.
Caitlin also hosts the Expert Insights Podcast and co-writes the weekly newsletter, Decrypted.
Technical Review
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013.
Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions.
Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.