It’s backed up in the cloud storage … or is it?

SARAH and BO PINEL of Tekkie Help break it to us that cloud storage is not a data backup. Here’s why that’s the case – and how we can rectify the problem.

There’s an assumption that having all of your personal or business data in the cloud is a safe and streamlined way of working – a storage and backup solution in one. However, cloud storage sites such as iCloud, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive and OneDrive are actually storage data solutions. They’re not a backup when used as the only location of your data, so they shouldn’t be relied upon to protect your data.

So what happens when cloud storage goes wrong? While the cloud does offer a certain level of protection in the event of theft or natural disasters, it’s not a robust backup solution as the data synchronises with data on your devices.

For instance, if you accidentally delete data off your phone or computer (or a child using your device does), the device synchronises with the cloud. The data is deleted off the cloud storage too – trust us, this happens more often than you think!

You can lose access to the cloud if your login email is jeopardised (hacked) or if you lose access to your email address for any reason (such as a job move). Likewise, if you fail to pay the subscription, your cloud service will be discontinued and you will lose your data.

Tragic tales

We’ve encountered plenty of scary stories in our time. For example, instances where children have been using a phone linked to the parent’s AppleID and deleted a chunk of photos from the phone (and subsequently iCloud) to make space for games.

Then there was the time when a lady came to us to help her with her digital photos. When looking for her photos pre-2016, she advised us “it’s all in the cloud”. Actually, it wasn’t. The old computer that was linked to the cloud storage had also been disposed of – so there was no way of recovering these lost memories.

Better data

A proper backup is the process of creating copies of your data or files from your phone and computer. In this way, your data can be restored in the event of hardware failure, loss of the device or accidental deletion.

We always recommend a 3-2-1 backup strategy:

• Have at least three copies of your data
• Back up data y0ur data on two different data storage types, such as your device, a hard drive and the cloud
• Have at least one copy of the data offsite; this offsite copy is where the cloud comes into play

The bottom line is, if you only have your data in the cloud storage, we strongly recommend you get another copy – fast!

If you need help creating a robust solution for your personal or business data backup, contact Tekkie Help. Call 8113 8682 or visit tekkiehelp.com.

This article first appeared in the November 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy! To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free! Want more tips from Tekkie Help? Find out how to watch your favourite TV shows with with BBC iPlayer, and how to limit screen time and online activity.