How to Protect Applications Running in Google Cloud – HYCU Software Briefing Note

When they are migrating or creating cloud-native applications, organizations need to consider how best to protect those applications. Most cloud providers provide very good high availability but don’t provide robust point-in-time recovery capabilities. Recovery from data corruption, user error and cyber-attack all require point in time backups. The lack of an easy way to implement point-in-time backups may derail an organization’s cloud strategy.For point-in-time backup, providers often give customers snapshot capabilities but those snapshots require integration with the user’s applications. Snapshots also depend on the primary storage volume remaining intact. The best protection requires creating a stand-alone copy of the snapshot, which in most clouds requires manual intervention.The big three cloud providers all look for an edge in their efforts to attract and retain customers. However, most providers overlook a potential advantage, the ability to protect data not only from a disaster, which they are all good at, but to also deliver point in time backups, protecting their customers from threats like data corruption, accidental deletion or cyber-attack.To bridge the gap between the cloud’s excellent high availability to consistent, point-in-time backups, organizations need to look outside of the cloud provider. HYCU software, a leader in Nutanix data protection, recently announced protection for the Google Cloud Platform.

Introducing HYCU for Google Cloud Platform

HYCU uses a model similar to its method for protecting Nutanix, leveraging existing features instead of replacing them. It is available “as a service”, meaning users simply select HYCU from the Google Marketplace and the solution is ready to go.HYCU for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) uses the snapshot capabilities built into Google cloud and fully integrates into Google Identity and Access Management (IAM). HYCU offloads the transfer of data to its instance eliminating any impact to the production application. The “as-a-service” model means IT doesn’t need to install agents. HYCU leverages Google services to create application consistent backups and application consistent clones.HYCU made its name by providing operational simplicity for Nutanix backups and now delivers that same capability to Google Cloud. Users protect their applications via a one click backup setup and the solution provides users with centric self-restores. HYCU supports restores of both an entire volume and single files.Nutanix is planning to leverage Google Cloud for its enterprise cloud solution, which will enable Nutanix customers to transfer DR to Google Cloud seamlessly. HYCU plans to provide unified data protection for both platforms simultaneously.

StorageSwiss Take

Google’s Cloud offering is sometimes lost in the shuffle but it clearly competes head-to-head with Amazon and Microsoft. Data protection is also something that is lost in the shuffle when organizations make their cloud decisions. While many providers deliver excellent high availability solutions most don’t provide robust point-in-time backup. HYCU, at least on Google Cloud, fills that gap. It may in fact be a key differentiator for an organization trying to decide between clouds.