How to Choose an Enterprise Backup Solution

Imagine a finance team is closing the books at the end of the quarter when, suddenly, their system crashes. Customer invoices, transaction records, and payroll data are gone. Was it a cyberattack? A software update gone wrong? Human error? It doesn’t matter in the moment—the data is missing, and time is ticking.

Without a reliable backup, the only options are to start from scratch or pay a hefty ransom. That’s why enterprise backup solutions are a must-have.

Of course, not all backup solutions are created equal. Some prioritize speed, while others focus on security. The best ones, however, strike a balance between the two, integrating seamlessly with existing systems. Let’s explore enterprise backup solutions and how they can protect your business.

Every business relies on data, whether it’s customer records, financial transactions, employee information, or other vital information. But what happens when that data is lost, corrupted, or stolen? That’s when backup solutions become essential.

Data loss isn’t a question of if—it’s a matter of when. 87% of IT professionals reported experiencing SaaS data loss in 2024. A single human error, a malware infection, or an unexpected system crash can erase critical files in seconds. Without a reliable backup, recovering lost data can be expensive, time-consuming, or even impossible. Enterprise backup solutions offer a secure means of quickly restoring information, thereby preventing disruptions that could bring operations to a halt.

When systems go down, business stops. Whether it’s an online retailer unable to process transactions or a healthcare provider locked out of patient records, downtime translates to lost revenue and frustrated customers. The right enterprise backup solution minimizes these disruptions by enabling fast data backup recovery.

Data privacy regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA require businesses to safeguard sensitive information or face serious consequences. A company that fails to protect customer data can face fines of up to 4% of its annual revenue under GDPR. Secure, encrypted backups help you stay compliant by keeping records protected and retrievable when needed.

Attackers lock down company data and demand payment for its release, often with no guarantee of restoration. Organizations that rely solely on primary data storage may feel forced to pay, but businesses with enterprise cloud backup solutions can sidestep these threats altogether.

Trust is easy to lose and hard to rebuild. Customers expect businesses to protect their personal information, and a single data breach can erode confidence overnight. Ultimately, remember this: a strong backup strategy doesn’t just restore lost files but maintains your integrity as a business.

Enterprise backup solutions safeguard business-critical data by creating copies that can be easily restored, particularly in the event of loss, corruption, or cyber threats. Basic data backup systems can work adequately for personal use or small companies, but enterprise backups are designed for large-scale operations. They can handle vast amounts of data across multiple systems and locations. Here’s a closer look at each backup method.

A full backup is the most straightforward and comprehensive type of backup. It creates a complete copy of all selected data at a given point in time. Because it stores everything together, restoring from a full backup is fast and reliable, but the trade-off is that it requires significant storage space and time to complete.

• Pros: The most reliable recovery method since all data is stored in one place.
• Cons: Requires more storage and takes longer to run, making frequent full backups impractical.
• Use case: Typically performed periodically (e.g., weekly or monthly) as a foundation for a layered backup strategy.

Incremental backups only save data that has changed since the last backup—whether that was a full or another incremental backup—making them faster and more storage-efficient than full backups. However, restoring from incremental backups requires piecing together multiple backup files, which can slow down the recovery process.

• Pros: Runs quickly and minimizes storage use, making it ideal for frequent backups.
• Cons: Restoring requires multiple backups in sequence, which can take longer.
• Use case: Best for businesses needing frequent backups, such as multiple times a day.

A differential backup is similar to an incremental backup but with a key difference: it always saves all changes made since the last full backup. Unlike incremental backups, which build upon each other, differential backups don’t depend on a chain of previous backups, making restoration faster.

• Pros: Faster recovery than incremental backups since only two files are needed (the last full backup and the most recent differential backup).
• Cons: Requires more storage than incremental backups because each differential backup grows over time.
• Use case: A middle ground between full and incremental backups, ideal for businesses that need a balance between quick recovery and efficient storage.

Losing any critical business information can be costly, which means a strong backup strategy should cover multiple types of data. Here are the key categories you should prioritize:

• Customer data: CRM records and transaction histories that support sales, service, and long-term relationships.
• Financial records: Invoices and payroll data that are essential for compliance and accurate reporting.
• Employee information: HR records and benefits details that businesses need for workforce management and legal requirements.
• Operational and supply chain data: Inventory levels and supplier contracts that keep production and logistics on track.
• Intellectual property and business documents: Contracts and proprietary research that give businesses a competitive edge.
• System configurations and metadata: Application settings and user permissions that simplify restoration after an outage.
• Communication records: Emails and chat logs that can be key for regulatory compliance and internal documentation.

Now that we covered how to back up data, it’s time to talk about where you can back up data. Backup solutions come in different forms, each with its advantages. The right choice depends on security needs, compliance requirements, and the speed of recovery.

Some platforms come with built-in backup tools designed specifically for their systems. Salesforce Backup & Recover, for example, protects Salesforce data without extra setup or third-party software, making it a reliable option.

With enterprise cloud backup, data is stored offsite, reducing reliance on physical hardware and adding an extra layer of protection against system failures or cyber threats. Cloud backups are scalable and accessible from anywhere, making them a strong choice for businesses that need flexibility.

Some businesses, especially those with strict security or compliance requirements, keep backups stored locally on their own servers. This method offers complete control but requires ongoing maintenance and protection against physical risks, such as hardware failure.

A mix of cloud and on-premises storage provides the best of both worlds: fast local recovery with the added security of offsite backups in case of disaster. This flexibility helps you avoid redundancy and ensures your data security scales with your business's growth.

For companies without dedicated IT resources, managed enterprise offsite backup solutions take the responsibility off of internal teams, handling everything from setup to monitoring and disaster recovery.

Here’s what you should look for when you start analyzing different backup solutions.

Backing up files isn't enough. A strong solution also protects metadata—such as user permissions, workflows, and system settings—so that restored data functions precisely as they did before the outage.

With growing threats like ransomware and regulatory fines for mishandling data, security is non-negotiable. Look for encryption, access controls, and compliance with standards like GDPR and HIPAA to keep data protected and meet legal requirements.

Downtime costs money, so backups must support quick recovery. The best solutions offer flexible data backup and restore options, enabling businesses to recover entire systems or individual records as needed.

Relying on manual backups leaves room for error. Automated scheduling ensures that data is consistently protected without requiring additional work for IT teams.

A backup solution should integrate seamlessly with your existing platforms. Built-in tools like Backup & Recover make data protection easier by reducing compatibility issues and simplifying management.

Different data loss scenarios require different recovery methods. The ability to restore specific files, databases, or entire systems provides businesses with the flexibility to respond effectively.

As businesses grow, so does their data. Backup solutions should handle increasing volumes without compromising performance, ensuring long-term reliability.

With so many options available, picking the right enterprise backup solution comes down to what your business needs most. Here’s how to narrow it down:

• Assess your data needs: Identify what data is most critical, how often it changes, and how quickly you need to recover it.
• Consider integration capabilities: A backup solution should seamlessly integrate with your existing systems to avoid compatibility issues and unnecessary management headaches.
• Prioritize security and compliance: Look for encryption, access controls, and regulatory compliance to protect sensitive information.
• Think about scalability: Your data will grow—your backup solution should keep up without slowing down or requiring constant upgrades.
• Look for automation: Manual backups leave room for error. A solution with automated scheduling reduces risk and saves time.
• Compare recovery options: Whether you need to restore a single file or an entire system, flexibility in data backup and restore is key.
• Evaluate provider reliability: Choose a trusted provider with strong uptime guarantees and customer support.

A backup plan is only as good as its execution. To make sure your solution actually protects your business when it matters, follow these best practices:

Decide what data to back up, how often, and where backups will be stored. Set clear Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) so that you know how quickly and how much data you can recover.

Scheduling backups eliminates the risk of human error and ensures consistent data protection without requiring manual intervention.

A backup is useless if it doesn’t work when you need it. Run periodic recovery tests to confirm data can be restored quickly and completely without any issues.

Store backup copies in secure, encrypted locations to protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access. Cloud data security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls, add an extra layer of protection.

Have a clear recovery plan in place so that your team knows exactly what to do in the event of data loss. This preparation minimizes downtime and prevents last-minute scrambling.

Make sure employees and IT teams understand backup policies and procedures. When everyone is aligned, recovery happens faster and with fewer mistakes.

With Backup & Recover, you get a trusted, built-in solution designed to protect your Salesforce data without extra complexity. From automated backups to fast, flexible recovery, it helps businesses stay resilient in the face of unexpected disruptions. Learn more about Backup & Recover today.