Backup as a Service (BaaS): All You Need to Know
With the threat of cyberattacks like ransomware continuing to rise, backups serve as the last line of defense, ensuring recovery in case of an incident. But not all businesses have the funds to buy large amounts of backup storage outright—nor can they always predict how much backup storage they may need in future.
Backup as a Service offers businesses a flexible, dependable backup solution to protect their data, enabling companies to set up backup systems quickly and restore critical information fast, without upfront costs.
Key Takeaway
- BaaS outsources backup operations to third-party providers, eliminating upfront costs while allowing IT teams to focus on strategic business growth.
- Hybrid Backup as a Service is the safest approach, combining cloud storage with an on-premises element, ensuring data access even when cloud systems are compromised by attacks like ransomware.
- Veeam and Object First provide the most secure solution by combining Zero Trust Data Resilience principles with immutable storage for fast recovery.
What is Backup as a Service (BaaS)?
Backup as a Service (BaaS) is a solution that allows organizations to outsource data backup and recovery to a third-party that manages everything from monitoring to maintenance, and—most importantly—data recovery.
Adopting BaaS offers organizations an alternative to upfront capital investment and advanced capacity planning, with storage provided in exchange for predictable subscription fees based on actual usage.
This shift also allows IT teams to redirect their time and expertise from managing backup infrastructure to higher-value strategic initiatives that drive business growth.
Types of Backups as a Service
There are two main types of Backups as a Service: Cloud-Based BaaS and Hybrid Cloud BaaS.
Cloud
Cloud-based BaaS is a managed backup solution that is hosted entirely in the cloud. Businesses themselves do not have to maintain any infrastructure, as this is taken care of by the storage provider, with the drawback that cloud security is often less secure.
Advantages:
- Scalability: Easily adjust storage capacity up or down based on business needs
- Cost-effectiveness: Pay-as-you-go pricing eliminates the expense of maintaining on-premises backup infrastructure
- Ease of use: User-friendly interfaces simplify backup management
Disadvantages:
- Potential security concerns: Relying on a third-party for security presents security risks if their security protocols or architecture are not stringent
- Less control: Fewer customization options compared to managing your own backup infrastructure
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid Cloud BaaS offers a blend of on-premises backup infrastructure and cloud-based storage. Organizations will initially store backup data on their own local hardware—offering added security—before data is automatically synced to the cloud.
Advantages:
- Security: On-premises backup storage ensures that data remains secure, even if cloud storage is compromised
- Flexibility: Businesses can choose between cloud or on-premises storage, depending on the size and security requirements of the individual backup
- Cost-effectiveness: Pay-as-you-go pricing still reduces costs compared to maintaining a full on-premises infrastructure
Disadvantages:
- Increased responsibility: More work to set up and manage than cloud solutions
- Hardware cost: Businesses will usually need to invest upfront in some kind of on-premises hardware
Backup as a Service Benefits
Backup as a Service has a number of key benefits when compared to conventional backup storage options. Here are some of the most significant:
Easy Setup
- Quick deployment: Web-based interface allows implementation within minutes, without complex infrastructure configuration
Cost Efficiency and Scalability
- No upfront investment: Eliminates the need for backup hardware and software purchases
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: Scale backup capacity as needed without extra expense
Reliability and Accessibility
- Availability: Cloud-based design ensures data remains accessible even during a disaster or other data-loss incident
- Redundancy: Data can be stored across multiple data centers, which provides extra protection against loss
Simplified Management
- Expert support: Providers handle technical backup and recovery tasks, freeing up internal IT resources
- Centralized control: User-friendly dashboards make it easy to monitor backups, set policies, and recover data
Enhanced Security
- Advanced protection: Encryption, access controls, and multi-factor authentication safeguard against threats
- Proactive monitoring: Providers offer regular health checks and address issues proactively to stop potential problems impacting operations
Why Do Businesses Switch to the Hybrid BaaS Model?
The main benefits of Cloud BaaS are its convenience and flexibility. The key drawback, however, is the security risk of operating solely in the cloud: if cloud storage is compromised, businesses have no alternative data source to turn to.
Given the rising threat of cyberattacks like ransomware, more businesses are turning to Hybrid BaaS models that offer redundancy and added security in the form of an additional on-premises hardware appliance.
By using an on-premises appliance like Object First’s Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability), businesses still benefit from the flexibility of cloud storage for data that is less business critical, but they also benefit from on-premises backup storage with security features like immutability, ensuring data can never be modified or deleted once created. This not only keeps data safer, but it also complies with the 3-2-1 rule for backup best practice.
How Does BaaS Work?
There are four key elements to implementing successful BaaS:
- Identify key data: Identify all data requiring backup, from basic files to complex databases, virtual machines, and applications
- Schedule your backups: Create customized backup schedules based on your recovery point objectives and data criticality. Alternatively, allow service providers to manage scheduling aligned with your business requirements
- Enable secure data transfer: Encrypt and transmit data over the internet to the provider's cloud infrastructure. Providers then store data in secure, redundant environments to prevent loss and ensure accessibility
- Outline your recovery process: Initiate data recovery through the provider's console to restore files to original or new locations. Your managed service provider will commonly handle recovery operations on your behalf.
Veeam + Ootbi by Object First: The Best Option for BaaS
By combining Veeam’s Backup & Replication cloud software with the Consumption model from Object First, you can achieve a comprehensive secure, simple and powerful hybrid Backup as a Service solution.
Built on Zero Trust Data Resilience principles, this joint solution offers the flexibility of the cloud with the security of the Ootbi on-premises immutable backup storage appliance—ensuring that critical backups are immutable, encrypted, and easily recoverable, keeping your business protected from modern cyber threats.
With seamless integration, fast recovery capabilities, and robust security features, Veeam and Ootbi together provide a comprehensive answer to today’s data resilience challenges.
Summary
Backup as a Service enables businesses to outsource data backup and recovery to third-party cloud providers without upfront infrastructure costs. With ransomware threats rising, BaaS offers scalable protection and fast recovery during disasters or cyberattacks.
Hybrid Backup as a Service models provide optimal security by combining cloud flexibility with tamper-proof on-premises storage. This approach ensures reliable business continuity and compliance with backup best practices.
FAQs
Q: Is Cloud Hybrid Approach the Best for security?
For maximum security, Hybrid Model is superior to cloud-only solutions. While pure cloud BaaS offers convenience and flexibility, it creates a single point of failure—if cloud storage is compromised, businesses lose their only backup source. Hybrid BaaS addresses this vulnerability by combining cloud flexibility with secure on-premises appliances. This dual-layer approach not only provides redundancy against cloud breaches but also ensures compliance with the 3-2-1 backup rule, making it the most secure option for protecting critical business data.
Q: How to Choose the Best BaaS provider?
When selecting a BaaS provider, prioritize vendors that implement robust protection through encryption and multi-factor authentication while maintaining exceptional uptime and data availability records. The ideal solution should seamlessly adapt to your organization's growth without requiring major overhauls, while offering an intuitive interface that streamlines both backup operations and data recovery processes. Additionally, seek providers who deliver round-the-clock comprehensive support and can accommodate your preferred management style, whether you need hands-on control over backup processes or prefer a completely managed approach where the provider handles all technical aspects.
