Data security in SaaS applications has become a crucial responsibility for IT and DevOps teams. The increasing enterprise adoption of SaaS applications brings significant risks and challenges that need to be addressed with modern backup and disaster recovery strategies. In a recent webinar titled “Your Data, Your Responsibility: Safeguarding Your SaaS Applications,” experts from various fields shared their insights on effectively managing and protecting cloud data.
Understanding the risks and responsibilities
As enterprise use of SaaS applications continues to rise, so do the associated business and compliance risks. This increasing reliance on SaaS has highlighted the necessity for modern backup and disaster recovery strategies to protect sensitive data and ensure business continuity. In a recent webinar, industry experts, including Jeremy Neyhart, Engineering Manager at Lutron Electronics; Anthony D’Ambrosio, Account Executive at Mumo Systems and Atlassian ACE Leader; and Mike Potter, Co-founder and CEO of Rewind, shared their insights and solutions for overcoming the security challenges of managing SaaS data.
The misconception of built-in backups
One of the primary misconceptions addressed was the assumption that SaaS applications inherently provide sufficient backup solutions. Anthony D’Ambrosio pointed out that many organizations mistakenly believe the service provider automatically backs up their cloud data. This false sense of security can lead to severe data loss when relying solely on the built-in capabilities of SaaS platforms. As D’Ambrosio explained, “Just because you’re in the cloud doesn’t mean your data is backed up.”
Legacy mindsets vs. modern needs
Jeremy Neyhart discussed the shift from legacy systems to SaaS solutions, highlighting the necessity for evolving backup strategies. Traditional methods of maintaining physical hardware and on-premises backups are no longer sufficient in the cloud era. Neyhart emphasized the importance of understanding the specific requirements of each SaaS application and tailoring backup solutions accordingly. He noted, “We need to look at what the organization needs and what those solutions need to be.”
Comprehensive disaster recovery plans
A key theme throughout the webinar was the need for comprehensive disaster recovery plans for various scenarios and risks. Mike Potter explained that a robust disaster recovery plan should define the recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO) based on the business’s specific needs. He stressed the importance of having a copy of the data and a functional backup solution to restore data accurately and efficiently.
The case for third-party vs. In-house backup solutions
When it comes to safeguarding your data, businesses often face the critical decision of whether to build an in-house backup solution or to partner with a third-party provider. This choice is not just about cost but also about the level of expertise, resources, and long-term reliability involved.
In-house solutions might seem attractive initially, as they offer full control and customization tailored to specific business needs. However, the reality is that developing and maintaining a robust backup system internally requires significant investment in terms of time, technology, and specialized skills. This can strain internal resources and divert attention from core business activities. Moreover, in-house teams may struggle to keep up with the evolving landscape of data security, leading to potential gaps in protection.
On the other hand, third-party backup solutions bring dedicated expertise and advanced capabilities right out of the box. These providers focus exclusively on data protection, offering comprehensive features that are continually updated to meet the latest security challenges. With third-party solutions, businesses can leverage specialized tools and a broader knowledge base, ensuring their data is protected against human error and external threats.
For example, Rewind, a leading third-party backup and recovery platform, protects data for over 25,000 customers across various SaaS applications. By partnering with a dedicated backup provider like Rewind, businesses gain access to advanced recovery options and round-the-clock support that would be challenging to replicate internally.
Additionally, the risk of relying on internal resources for backup solutions is underscored by Neyhart’s insight: “We do what we do well, and we’ll pay people to do what they do well.” Attempting to manage data backups in-house can lead to vulnerabilities, as highlighted by D’Ambrosio’s experience with a customer who faced a prolonged recovery process (that took over 20 hours to get the data restored) due to inadequate backup procedures. In contrast, third-party solutions are designed to mitigate such risks, offering peace of mind and robust protection against data loss and cyber threats—so you can get your data back in minutes, not hours.
Ultimately, while an in-house solution offers control, third-party providers offer a level of security, expertise, and reliability that is difficult to match. For most businesses, the smart choice is clear: partnering with a third-party backup provider is the better option for ensuring comprehensive data protection.
Compliance and regulatory requirements
For many organizations, compliance with internal and external regulations drives the need for reliable backup solutions. These standards, whether SOC 2, ISO 27001, or emerging European regulations, are critical. Rewind’s compliance with SOC 2 and its ability to help customers meet various regulatory requirements were highlighted as significant advantages.
Best practices for SaaS backup and recovery
The experts shared several best practices for implementing effective SaaS backup and recovery strategies:
- Define clear objectives: Establish RTO and RPO metrics based on business needs.
- Choose the right partner: Partner with specialized third-party providers like Rewind that offer proven expertise and solutions tailored to SaaS environments.
- Regular testing and validation: Test and validate backup and recovery processes to ensure they meet the desired objectives.
- Granular recovery options: Ensure the backup solution allows for granular recovery of specific data elements, not just full system restores.
- Continuous monitoring and updates: Stay updated with changes in SaaS application APIs and ensure the backup solution adapts accordingly.
Final takeaways: Securing SaaS data in a growing digital landscape
As the reliance on SaaS applications grows, so does the imperative to safeguard the data they contain. IT and DevOps leaders must prioritize robust backup and disaster recovery strategies to mitigate the risks associated with cloud-based data. Organizations can ensure their critical business data’s integrity, availability, and security by partnering with specialized backup providers and adhering to best practices. As Jeremy Neyhart aptly put it, “It’s an opportunity to do things the right way and to not force yourselves into a situation where you are restoring, or over backing up or under backing up. You’re getting the right solution for the problem at hand.”
To learn more about safeguarding your organization’s critical data and staying ahead of potential risks, don’t miss out on the full webinar recording. Watch it now to arm yourself with the knowledge to protect your SaaS applications effectively.
Miriam Saslove">
