Why Extra Backups Are Essential: The Hidden Risks of Cloud Storage and How to Protect Your Data
Cloud hosting has revolutionized how we store and access data—offering convenience, scalability, and global reach. But there's a growing myth: that once data is in the cloud, it’s completely safe. Unfortunately, that assumption can be devastating.
A recent AWS case shows exactly how things can go wrong. This blog breaks down why extra, independent backups are no longer optional. We’ll explore real-world risks grouped into four key areas—Security, Operational, Legal, and Financial—and show how our backup solutions provide the peace of mind cloud alone can’t guarantee.
The AWS Data Loss Incident: A Decade Gone in a Day
In August 2025, software engineer Abdelkader Boudih (blog post published on “Seuros”) woke up to a nightmare: his entire AWS account had been terminated, wiping out over a decade of personal projects, developer tools, tutorials, and a self-authored programming book. Despite following AWS best practices—multi-region replication, encryption, dead-man switches—nothing was spared.
It started with a verification request that expired. AWS later rejected his submitted documents and deleted the account the next day, ignoring their own 90-day grace period. After nearly 3 weeks of silence, an internal whistleblower hinted that the deletion was accidental—part of a cleanup script gone wrong during a test in the MENA region.
Although Boudih's data was ultimately restored thanks to a sympathetic insider, the story exposes a chilling truth: even major cloud providers can make irreversible mistakes—and provide no recourse.
Why This Matters: The Myth of Cloud Invincibility
Cloud providers are trusted with billions of records daily, but blind trust can be risky. Whether through internal failures, human error, or poor customer support, users are often left with no control—and no way to recover.
The solution? Follow the 3-2-1 rule:
- Keep 3 total copies of your data
- Store them on 2 different types of media
- Ensure 1 copy is off-site and independent of your main cloud provider
As a managed service provider, we help businesses implement these strategies without the complexity, ensuring compliance, security, and fast recovery
Let’s explore the biggest risks of relying on cloud-only storage—and how to avoid them.
Top Cloud Storage Risks That Demand Independent Backups
Security & Access Risks
- Data Breaches & Unauthorized Access
- Misconfigurations
- Human Error
- Insider Threats
- Ransomware & Malware
- Insecure APIs & Interfaces
- Account Hijacking
Operational & Reliability Risks
- Service Downtime & Outages
- Data Loss from Disasters or Deletions
- Internet Dependency
- Shared Infrastructure Risks (Multi-Tenancy)
- Cascading Failures & Lack of Visibility
Legal & Compliance Risks
- Data Sovereignty & Jurisdiction Issues
- Shared Responsibility Confusion
- Government Access & Provider Data Sharing
Financial & Strategic Risks
- Vendor Lock-In
- Hidden Costs & Recovery Fees
- Shadow IT & Unapproved Use
How We Help: A Better Backup Strategy, Built for the Real World
Our backup services are built to complement—not replace—cloud storage, ensuring you're never caught off guard. We provide:
- Immutable, end-to-end encrypted backups that survive ransomware
- Multi-format storage: local, cloud, and hybrid options
- Fast recovery times, low RTO/RPO
- Compliance support with versioning, audit trails, and data retention policies
- Flat, predictable pricing—no egress fees, no fine print
- Independent access even if your cloud account is locked or deleted
Don’t Let the Cloud Be Your Single Point of Failure
Whether you’re a developer, business owner, or IT decision-maker, your data deserves better than a single safety net. Independent backups are not only the best practice but also an important compliance safeguard, helping businesses meet industry regulations for data retention and recovery.
Contact us for a complimentary backup and recovery assessment to see how your current protections stack up.