The cloud has become a critical component of nearly every small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
But a new report from Kaseya reveals a significant knowledge gap when it comes to data protection in the cloud, leaving many SMEs vulnerable to data loss and business disruption. The “State of Backup and Recovery Report 2025,” based on a survey of over 3,000 IT professionals globally, exposes widespread confusion and misconceptions surrounding cloud backup and recovery responsibilities, highlighting the urgent need for clearer understanding and more robust strategies.
The report reveals that many SMEs operate under a false sense of security, assuming that their cloud provider is solely responsible for protecting their data. This misconception stems from a lack of understanding regarding the “shared responsibility model” for cloud security. While cloud providers are responsible for the security of the cloud (the underlying infrastructure), the customer (the SME) is typically responsible for the security in the cloud (the data itself). This includes backups, recovery, and access control.
“Many SMEs are surprised to learn that they are responsible for their data even when it resides in the cloud,” says [Name/Title from Kaseya or an expert]. “This lack of awareness can have serious consequences, as data loss due to accidental deletion, ransomware attacks, or other incidents can cripple a small business.”
The Kaseya report highlights several key areas of cloud confusion:
- Misunderstanding RTOs and RPOs: Many SMEs struggle to define appropriate Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for their cloud data. RTO defines the maximum acceptable downtime, while RPO defines the maximum acceptable data loss. Without clearly defined RTOs and RPOs, it’s impossible to create an effective cloud backup and recovery plan.
- Lack of Backup Strategy: A significant number of SMEs lack a dedicated backup and recovery strategy for their cloud data. They may rely on basic cloud provider features without implementing additional measures to ensure data resilience and recoverability.
- Insufficient Testing: Even when backups are in place, many SMEs fail to regularly test their cloud recovery procedures. This can lead to unpleasant surprises during a real crisis, when they discover that their backups are incomplete or unusable.
- Cloud Vendor Lock-in: Some SMEs find themselves locked into a particular cloud provider due to complex data migration processes. This can limit their flexibility and make it difficult to switch providers if their needs change.
The Kaseya report offers several recommendations for SMEs to address cloud data protection challenges:
- Understand the Shared Responsibility Model: Clearly define the responsibilities of both the SME and the cloud provider regarding data security and backup.
- Develop a Cloud Backup and Recovery Strategy: Create a comprehensive plan that includes clearly defined RTOs and RPOs, regular backups, and tested recovery procedures.
- Choose the Right Backup Solution: Select a cloud backup solution that meets the specific needs of the SME, considering factors such as cost, scalability, and ease of use.
- Regularly Test Recovery Procedures: Conduct regular disaster recovery drills to ensure that backups can be restored quickly and efficiently.
- Consider a Multi-Cloud or Hybrid Approach: Distributing data across multiple cloud providers or using a hybrid cloud approach can enhance data resilience and reduce vendor lock-in.
To download the The State of Backup and Recovery Report 2025: Navigating the Future of Data Protection, click here.
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What if your cloud data vanished tomorrow? A Kaseya report reveals SMEs are dangerously unprepared. Are you? News, Data Dynamic Business
