Why the Cloud is not backup • Blisstech Solutions

Cloud computing has revolutionised the way businesses work. Companies that utilise the cloud will have coped the best with COVID-19 imposed restrictions. Whether forced to by circumstance or not, businesses are moving from the traditional server in the office to cloud systems. By far the most common cloud services being considered first are Microsoft Office 365 and Google G-Suite. There is a common misconception that when you are in the cloud you don’t need to backup. But storing data in OneDrive or G-Drive is not backup on its own. While it is unlikely that your data will be lost through hardware failure, there are other things that can go wrong.

Issues with not backing up your SaaS data

While Office 365 and G-Suite include primitive restore capabilities for lost data, two major issues arise when using their tools: lost data and lost time. An independent data backup, separated from the app itself, is necessary to avoid the most common data-loss pitfalls.

Woman sitting at her computer with her head in her hands

Data loss due to permanent deletion: When deleted, all data will be placed in the Recycle Bin where it is kept for 93 days (Office) or 25 days (Google). At that time, it is automatically and permanently deleted, and there is no rollback option.
Data loss due to ransomware: If your business suffers a ransomware attack, you need to roll-back your data to a point-in-time before the incident occurred or you end up losing, not only your valuable business data, but also a hefty sum of money to criminals. Microsoft actually recommends 3rd party backup as the only way to recover from data loss associated with ransomware encryption.
Data loss due to inactive licenses: As one would expect, an active license is required to access data. Unfortunately, inactive or deleted user data is permanently deleted, and there is no rollback option.
Data loss due to app outages: Uptime guarantees provide peace of mind… until an app outage occurs. Planning for the unexpected is key to recovering quickly should an outage occur.
Time lost in restoring files: Contacting Support for assistance with any data loss issue can be time-consuming, and still may not result in restored files.

Fortunately, there is something you can do. To understand more about protecting your business data in SaaS apps, download this eBook and stay a step ahead of a data disaster, or contact us if you want to discuss further!

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How to create secure passwords

Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks to your business.
Why?
Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than ever before. If they manage to crack just one password, they could gain access to your sensitive business data, financial information, or even gain control of your entire system.
Cyber criminals use automated tools to guess passwords, allowing them to try out millions of combinations in seconds. So, if you’re using something like “Password123” or “CompanyName2025”, you’re practically handing them the keys to your business.
A compromised password can lead to big issues, such as:
• Data breaches
• Financial losses
• Identity theft
• Reputation damage
But how do you create strong passwords without driving yourself (and your team) mad?
Think of your password like a secret recipe, where only you should know the ingredients. It should:
• Be at least 14 characters long (the longer, the better)
• Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• Contain a few numbers and symbols (like @, $, %, or &)
• Not contain any common words or easily guessable information (like birthdays, names, or the word “password”)
Instead of using a single word, you could try a passphrase – a short, random sentence that only you would understand. For example, instead of “Sailing2025”, try something like “Coffee&CloudsAreGreat9!”. This is much harder to crack, yet still easy to remember.
You should also steer clear of these common mistakes:
• Using personal info (your name, birthday, business name, etc.)
• Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts
• Using simple sequences (“123456” or “abcdef”)
• Storing passwords in an easily accessible place (like a sticky note on your desk)
If remembering unique passwords for every account sounds impossible, there is another option: Password managers. These generate strong passwords, store them securely and autofill them for you.
With a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password for the manager app itself. The rest are encrypted and stored safely, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Even the strongest password isn’t foolproof, which is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also important. MFA requires a second form of verification, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated from an authentication app.
If you have employees accessing your business systems, it’s a good idea to have a password policy in place to explain your rules and why they’re important. This should include:
• Unique passwords for each system and account
• Regular security training on password best practices
• Business-wide use of MFA for critical systems
• Scanning for compromised passwords regularly
By making password security a priority, you can reduce the chances of a cyber attack creating a nightmare for your business.
And if you need help making your business more secure, get in touch.

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Issues with not backing up your SaaS data

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