Traditional backup and recovery solutions often take their on-premises approach, move it to the cloud, and simply rebrand it as “virtual” (a practice sometimes called ‘cloud washing’). If you’re considering this approach, you might be missing out on the true power and flexibility of Google Cloud.
Start by Asking the Right Questions
It’s important to start by asking the right questions for a backup service for Google Cloud. Here’s a few you should make sure to ask.
Right question #1: Can I Scale Up and Down Easily, Leveraging Google Cloud’s Power?
With Google Cloud, you don’t need to worry about provisioning a fixed number of nodes or predicting your maximum storage needs. Simply select your backup policy, zone, and region, and back up to storage buckets. Scale seamlessly as your needs change
Right Question #2: How native and integrated into the Google Cloud is your solution?
HYCU Backup as a Service for Google Cloud is native-built for Google Cloud. We use Google Cloud’s snapshots and storage buckets by default. The best part is that HYCU is plugged in as part of your Google Cloud solution. That means:
- Full integration with Google Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) – Use your existing Google Cloud login credentials to access and manage your backups, streamlining user access and security.
- Works via Google Cloud API – enabling you to leverage the scalability of Google Cloud – your data never leaves Google Cloud, and you can choose different zones and regions to minimize your risk.
- Google Billing – HYCU makes it easy. We’re integrated with your Google Cloud backup monthly billing cycle.
So, bearing this all in mind, how will you know if you are dealing with a cloud washed backup solution? Easy, they will ask you all the wrong questions.
Avoid the Wrong Questions
Many users worry about cloud backup costs, reliability, and security. They also often confuse cloud storage with true backup solutions. Here are a few of the wrong questions:
Wrong question #1: How many backup servers/VMs will you need in the cloud?
If a backup service requires you to provision a fixed number of servers or VMs, that’s a red flag. Google Cloud is designed for flexibility and scalability and your backup solution should be too. You should be able to scale up or down as your business needs change, without being locked into a fixed infrastructure
Wrong question #2: What is the absolute maximum number of Terabytes you need to backup and protect?
This question is outdated for the cloud. If a solution requires you to predict your maximum storage needs and pay for that capacity regardless of actual usage, you’re not getting the benefit of pay-as-you-go cloud economics. With Google Cloud, you should only pay for what you use, and your backup solution should reflect that
HYCU’s Google Cloud solution is a pay-as-you-go software service. HYCU is cloud native, releasing the shackles of the on-premises backup world. We don’t ask you how many VMs you need. We don’t need to know how many Terabytes you want to back up to work. HYCU Backup as a Service for Google Cloud scales up and down with you, with the same limitless storage and scalability as Google Cloud. Best of all, our pricing is based upon the source capacity you want to back up, and how often you want it backed up.
While there are clearly wrong questions to consider. At HYCU we like to focus on the right questions …
So why is HYCU the best choice to backup and recover your Google Cloud Data? It’s easy, but don’t just take our word for it, to learn more, go to www.hycu.com/google or you can access it directly from Google Cloud Marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I rely solely on Google Cloud’s built-in backups?
A: While Google Cloud offers robust infrastructure and some backup features, true data protection requires a dedicated backup solution that provides versioning, encryption, and easy recovery. Especially for any user errors or cyberattacks.
Q: How do I recover data if it’s accidentally deleted or corrupted?
A: With a cloud-native backup solution like HYCU, you can restore data to a previous point in time, even if files are deleted or corrupted.
Q: Is cloud backup secure and compliant?
A: Yes, reputable cloud backup providers offer advanced security features, including encryption and compliance with standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Q: Can I manage backups myself, or do I need external IT support?
A: Many cloud backup solutions are designed for easy management, with user-friendly interfaces and integration with your existing Google Cloud account. However, for complex environments, external IT support can help optimize your backup strategy.