Many business owners believe their data is safe because they “have backups.”
Many business owners believe their data is safe because they “have backups.”
But after years of working with companies across Columbus and surrounding areas in Ohio, we’ve learned a hard truth:
Most backups don’t work when they’re actually needed.
They exist.
They run.
They report “success.”
And yet—when disaster strikes, recovery fails.
Let’s look at why this happens, how to know if you’re at risk, and what reliable backup really looks like.
What Does “Recoverable” Really Mean?
A backup is only valuable if you can:
- Restore it
- Restore it quickly
- Restore everything you need
- Restore it when systems are down
“Recoverable” means your business can realistically resume operations after:
- Ransomware
- Server failure
- Accidental deletion
- Natural disaster
- Hardware damage
- Insider mistakes
If recovery would take days—or isn’t possible at all—your backup isn’t doing its job.
Why Most Business Backups Fail
Here are the most common issues we find during IT assessments.
1. Backups Are Running… But Failing Silently
Many backup systems generate errors that no one reviews.
Common problems include:
- Missed schedules
- Storage limits
- Authentication failures
- Corrupted files
Without monitoring, failures go unnoticed for months.
Until it’s too late.
2. No One Has Ever Tested a Restore
This is one of the biggest risks.
Many businesses have never performed a full recovery test.
They assume:
“If it says successful, it must work.”
That assumption is dangerous.
We regularly see backups that:
- Won’t open
- Are incomplete
- Can’t be mounted
- Restore the wrong versions
Testing is the only proof.
3. Critical Data Isn’t Being Backed Up
Backups often miss:
- Cloud data
- SaaS platforms
- Line-of-business apps
- Databases
- Email archives
- Remote user files
So while “something” is backed up, it’s not everything.
Partial protection creates false confidence.
4. Ransomware Can Encrypt the Backups Too
If your backup system is connected to your network, ransomware can often reach it.
We’ve seen cases where:
- Production data was encrypted
- Backups were encrypted
- Replicas were encrypted
No clean copy remained.
This is why immutable and offline backups matter.
5. Recovery Takes Too Long
Some backups technically work—but take days to restore.
For many businesses, that’s unacceptable.
Ask yourself:
- Could we operate without systems for 3 days?
- A week?
- Longer?
If not, recovery speed matters just as much as recovery itself.
6. Former Employees Still Have Access
Old credentials can allow attackers to delete or modify backups.
If access isn’t properly managed, your “safety net” is vulnerable.
Real Example: “We Had Backups—But Lost Everything”
The Situation
A Central Ohio law firm experienced ransomware.
What They Believed
Their backups were “fully protected.”
What We Found
- Backups were online-only
- No immutable storage
- No restore testing
- Credentials reused across systems
The Result
All backups were encrypted.
No recovery was possible.
They rebuilt from scratch.
What Reliable Business Backups Actually Include
A modern, recoverable backup strategy includes:
✅ 1. Automated Monitoring
Failures are detected and reported immediately.
✅ 2. Regular Recovery Testing
Restores are tested on a schedule.
✅ 3. Immutable or Offline Copies
Backups that cannot be altered by malware.
✅ 4. Multiple Locations
On-site + cloud + offsite storage.
✅ 5. Defined Recovery Objectives
Clear targets for:
- RPO (how much data you can lose)
- RTO (how fast you must recover)
✅ 6. Documented Procedures
So recovery doesn’t rely on one person.
Learn more:
➡️ /backup-disaster-recovery
How to Tell If Your Backup Is at Risk
Ask your IT provider these questions:
- When was our last full restore test?
- What isn’t being backed up?
- Are backups immutable?
- How long would recovery take?
- Who monitors failures?
- Where are copies stored?
If answers are unclear, that’s a warning sign.
Why Cloud and Microsoft 365 Still Need Backup
Many businesses assume Microsoft handles backups.
Microsoft provides retention—not full disaster recovery.
Deleted data, ransomware, or sync errors can still cause permanent loss.
That’s why third-party backup is critical.
Learn more:
➡️ /5-microsoft-365-settings
How Managed IT Improves Backup Reliability
A professional MSP ensures:
- Continuous monitoring
- Secure storage design
- Regular testing
- Documentation
- Compliance alignment
- Rapid incident response
Learn more:
➡️ /managed-it-business-ohio
How Cloud Cover Protects Business Data
At Cloud Cover, we help Central Ohio businesses:
✔ Design layered backup systems
✔ Implement immutable storage
✔ Test recovery regularly
✔ Monitor failures 24/7
✔ Document recovery plans
✔ Prepare for ransomware events
Our goal: no surprises when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cloud backups enough?
Not always. Cloud backups must still be monitored, tested, and protected from ransomware.
How often should backups be tested?
At least quarterly, and after major system changes.
Can cyber insurance help if backups fail?
Sometimes, but insurers often deny claims when controls are missing.
How much data loss is acceptable?
That depends on your business, but most companies should aim for hours—not days.
Start With a Backup Readiness Review
An IT assessment shows whether your backups are truly recoverable—and what needs improvement.
➡️ See what’s included:/it-assessment-what-to-expect
➡️ Request an assessment:/free-it-assessment
Final Thoughts
Backups don’t fail loudly.
They fail quietly.
And they fail when you need them most.
If you don’t know whether your data can be restored today, you’re taking a bigger risk than you realize.
Get clarity.
Test recovery.
Protect your business.
Want us to take a look at your backups? Schedule a discovery call.