Data Backup and Restoration in the Cloud Computing Model

Data is always a critical component of business operations and directly impacts the entire business process. Consequently, an increasing number of businesses are opting to back up their data using the cloud computing model. This choice ensures business continuity and minimises damage in the event of incidents or disasters.

1.Cloud Data Backup and Restore

Digital transformation represents a fundamental strategy in the contemporary landscape of business operations. Accompanying this transformation is the imperative process of data digitization. Consequently, protecting, backing up, and ensuring data availability within the digital realm have assumed unprecedented significance.

Within the paradigm of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, cloud-based backup solutions have emerged as a prevailing trend. These solutions have garnered trust and adoption across numerous enterprises, owing to the manifold benefits they offer.

An online backup service, also known as cloud backup or backup as a service (BaaS), is an offsite data storage method in which an enterprise’s files, applications, or databases will be stored on cloud computing infrastructure, managed by the service provider. The backup process is done over an internet connection, and the data will be encrypted during the process.

With a high level of protection and advanced technology, BaaS builds a Backup System that can function like the main system in the event of a failure or disaster. Backed-up data is secured and restored quickly when problems occur, minimizing downtime and ensuring uninterrupted system operation.

2.How does data backup work?

 

Cloud backup functions by replicating a business’s data onto servers in the cloud. Backup operations can be conducted in two primary methods:

• Continuous replication: In this mode, the cloud service provider automatically copies your company’s data to the server whenever any data changes occur. This represents the prevailing method of cloud backup and is particularly well-suited for businesses that require real-time updates to their data backups.
• Scheduled replication: In this approach, cloud service providers adhere to a predefined schedule for replicating business data. It is commonly employed by companies that do not require immediate updates to their data copies.

With Backup as a Service (BaaS), instead of establishing on-premises hardware and software for data backup, businesses connect their local software to cloud-based backup solutions. Data is securely transmitted over a network connection to remote cloud servers. Once a business’s data has been successfully replicated to the cloud, it becomes accessible from anywhere in the world through an internet connection.

How is data restored?

Cloud-based data backup solutions play a crucial role in averting data loss caused by various factors, including software failures, malware infections, cyberattacks, and even natural disasters. In the context of data recovery, businesses often wonder about the process involved in cloud-based restoration.

Data recovery is a meticulously orchestrated process that entails utilizing specialized devices or software applications to retrieve data that has suffered damage, corruption, format errors, or has become inaccessible. This encompasses data residing on mass storage devices, removable media, or within files, which have become unresponsive to normal access attempts.

Prior to backing up data on virtual systems, businesses should assess the associated risks and formulate a data restoration strategy to ensure the maximum recovery of infrastructure in the event of an incident.

Enterprises need to establish the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) to define the allowable data loss threshold, specify the desired recovery time to restore the system to its previous state, and consider the current system conditions. These factors significantly impact the data recovery process. Therefore, businesses and backup service providers should have comprehensive data recovery plans in place to expedite the restoration of business operations, either in full or partially, within the shortest possible time frame.

3.The importance of data backup

Data constitutes a valuable asset for businesses. Consequently, timely and strategically positioned data backup can yield numerous advantages for enterprises, including:

• Increase availability: Replicate company data on cloud-based servers, making copies of that data available at all times.

• Reduced costs: By using the cloud for backup, a business is taking advantage of the cloud provider’s hardware infrastructure, which can significantly reduce a company’s IT costs.

• Flexible scalability: The cloud is a scalable platform, businesses can add or remove resources as needed, making it the ideal solution for businesses with periodic spikes in demand.

• Advanced Security: The cloud is a secure platform and offers multiple layers of security protection, which is important for businesses that store sensitive data.

• Enhanced Disaster Recovery: Enterprises can quickly and easily recover their corporate data in the event of a catastrophic incident. Moreover, cloud backup solutions can proactively aid companies in averting data loss.

4.Decree 53 on Information Data Protection

 

On December 22, 2022, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam organized a conference to promote and disseminate the guidelines for implementing Decree No. 53/2022/ND-CP (Decree 53), which provides instructions on the new regulations concerning data localization. Article 26.1 of Decree 53/2022 stipulates that three types of data must be stored within Vietnam, collectively referred to as Localization Data: data pertaining to the personal information of service users in Vietnam, data provided by service users in Vietnam, and data related to the activities of service users in Vietnam.

Furthermore, the Department of Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05) advises businesses to consider employing the following two data storage methodologies:

• Real-time synchronization: Enterprises have the option to establish a dedicated storage system to support their operations within Vietnam. To optimize cost and resource allocation, businesses may also opt for reputable data storage service providers to manage their data storage needs. Firms possessing data centers accredited with international certifications, such as TIA-942, Uptime Tier 3 Facility, and compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 5001, and ISO 27001 standards for design, construction, and operation in key cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, are equipped to ensure full adherence to regulations pertaining to data security and information management. They are adept at meeting data localization requirements and offering tailored solutions to businesses and organizations in Vietnam, bolstering cybersecurity risks and protecting user privacy.

• Periodic Data Backup: EEnterprises have the option to perform scheduled data backups and store them on suitable storage devices within Vietnam, such as local servers, hard drives, flash drives, or CDs, with a frequency of at least once every 7 days.

Decree 53/2022 on data localization in Vietnam represents a significant milestone in ensuring the security and governance of national data. To adhere to stringent security prerequisites and international benchmarks, HI GIO Cloud not only offers secure data storage but also leverages FPT’s internationally recognized Data Center infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. This guarantees that customer data is administered and safeguarded within data centers constructed and operated to exacting standards, fully aligning with the provisions outlined in Decree 53.

5. Comprehensive backup and recovery solutions

According to a report by Veeam Software, a leading technology company specializing in data backup solutions, more than 37% of global data contains errors in the backup process. Additionally, 34% of data has been successfully backed up but cannot be restored for use, and 58% of organizations and businesses face challenges in restoring the integrity of their backed-up data.

To mitigate potential threats during the data backup process for businesses, HI GIO Cloud, powered by FPT & IIJ, has partnered with Veeam to introduce the Veeam-powered BaaS solution (HI GIO BaaS). This solution offers secure and comprehensive data backup services, ensuring the utmost data integrity for businesses.

HI GIO CLOUD powered by FPT & IIJ, represents the inaugural international standard cloud computing infrastructure platform service in the Vietnamese market. It is the result of a collaboration between two prominent technology corporations: FPT Telecom and Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ). HI GIO CLOUD has been meticulously crafted to cater to the specific requirements of the Vietnamese market, utilizing advanced Japanese technical platforms.

Furthermore, the integration with FPT’s internationally accredited Data Center system guarantees the security of customer data. You can explore HI GIO’s comprehensive backup solution in the following section:

HI GIO BaaS (Backup as a Service)​

An all-encompassing backup solution tailored to businesses requiring data protection in cloud environments, on-premises virtualized environments, and physical servers. This solution is compatible with multiple platforms, including CentOS, RedHat, Ubuntu, and Windows, among others.

HI GIO BaaS data backup process:

Step 1: Enterprises install Veeam Agent on-premises and create backup activities to protect data.

Step 2: Establish a connection to the service provider’s port.

Step 3: Businesses have the option to initiate data replication or backup procedures to cloud storage. BaaS incorporates encryption and compression during data transmission, ensuring both data security and operational efficiency.

Step 4: Businesses can monitor the backup process.

Step 5: In the event of a disaster, businesses have the capability to recover data from cloud storage, restoring it either to the on-premise environment or to an alternative location.

Backup rule 3-2-1

3 ≥ Data copy

When dealing with business data, a single backup may prove insufficient, particularly if it resides in the same location as the primary data and on the same type of storage media. As a result, data stored on the HI GIO Cloud undergoes replication, ensuring the existence of a minimum of three copies.

2 ≥ Types of media

Rather than opting for two devices of the same type, which carry a heightened risk of simultaneous failure, employing cloud backup across two distinct storage media enhances data preservation for businesses.

1≥ Off-Site Data Replication:

HI GIO Cloud strategically schedules backups that physically isolate copies, safeguarding against local disasters that could potentially affect all instances of a business’s data stored in a single location.

Why Opt for HI GIO BaaS?

• Broad protection: Streamline automated backup processes to encompass cloud, virtual, physical, and NAS environments.
• Freedom of choice: 100% software and hardware-defined solution – offering agnosticism for unparalleled flexibility.
• Trustworthy recovery: Automatic backups and replica verification ensure recovery in the event of any disaster.
• Data security: End-to-end immutability safeguards your backups at every stage, from the data center to the cloud.
• Cloud integration: Streamlined backup and recovery solutions for AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, all under one centralized platform…
• Versatile restoration: Restore data across multiple clouds and platforms using a portable data format.
• Instantaneous restorations: Meet your service level agreements (SLAs) with consistently reliable restoration capabilities.
• Effortless scalability: Reduce costs by combining any archive together to create a scalable backup archive.
• DR Cloud: Implement a two-step recovery process for any cloud for disaster recovery (DR), development/testing, and rapid analytics.

HI GIO DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a service)

When opting for the HI GIO BaaS data backup solution, businesses will also benefit from expert guidance on the HI GIO DRaaS solution. This secure data synchronization solution facilitates data replication to alternate locations, such as from on-premises to HI GIO Cloud or between HI GIO Cloud HCM and HI GIO Cloud HN, ensuring data accessibility in the event of a disaster. The Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is set at a minimum of 15 minutes, aligning it with the business’s system needs, while guaranteeing a high level of redundancy and expeditious data recovery.

6. Conclusion

Data protection and preservation represent critical concerns for businesses, particularly among IT leaders. Consequently, selecting a reputable supplier ranks as a top priority for business owners. HI GIO CLOUD powered by FPT & IIJ, stands poised to provide unwavering support to businesses in their pursuit of data security and compliance, aligning with Decree 53 to ensure the continued operation of enterprises.