Why Cloud Backups Aren’t Enough: The Case for Air-Gap Security

In today’s digital world, using services like Google Drive, AWS, and Azure to back up important business data has become the norm. It offers many benefits like cost savings and easy access to files. However, as technology advances, so do the risks. Cybercriminals are becoming smarter, and businesses may be unknowingly exposing themselves to serious threats. In this article, we’ll explain why cloud backups might not be as safe as many people think, and why businesses need a more secure solution. 

Most businesses use cloud backups for the following reasons: 

• Cost Savings: Compared to building an in-house storage system, cloud storage helps businesses significantly reduce infrastructure costs. 

• Easy Access: Employees can work remotely and share files quickly. 

• Automated Backup: Minimizes the risk of data loss due to human error. 

As technology evolves, cyberattacks are becoming more advanced. Many businesses mistakenly believe that data stored in the cloud is completely secure, but reality has proven otherwise. Hackers can still target and compromise cloud-stored data, causing to lose critical information. 

 

The Hidden Risks of Cloud-Only Backups 

1. Vulnerability to Cyberattacks (Ransomware) 

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, over 80% of ransomware attacks target cloud-stored data. 60% of businesses suffer permanent data loss after a cyberattack due to a lack of a secure backup strategy. Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common, and they specifically target cloud-backed data. Once compromised, both the original and backup data can be encrypted or deleted, leaving businesses with no recovery option. This is the most immediate and severe risk. 

 2. Compliance and regulatory risk

Over 50% of businesses fail to meet compliance regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS when using cloud storage for sensitive data without the proper security measures. Non-compliance leads to fines, legal issues, and reputational damage. Cloud providers may not offer immutable storage, increasing the risk of data alteration or deletion 

 3. Public cloud storage can be deleted or altered without notice

Many businesses believe that storing data in the cloud guarantees its protection and prevents data loss. In reality, cloud data remains vulnerable to deletion or modification due to multiple factors, including human error and cyberattacks. In fact, human error accounts for up to 25% of all data loss incidents. For example: 

• An employee accidentally deletes a file or misconfigures settings, leading to permanent data loss. 

• A cloud provider issue (e.g., AWS, Google) can result in data loss or service disruption. 

• If an admin account is compromised, hackers can modify, encrypt, or delete critical data before the company has time to react. 

Upgrade Your Backup Strategy: Move from Cloud to Air-Gap Backup 

Businesses cannot rely solely on cloud backup to protect their data. Air-Gap Backup is emerging as an optimal solution, helping organizations prevent data loss and ensure rapid recovery. 

What is air-gap backup? 

Air-Gap Backup is a backup method that is completely isolated from your primary network. Unlike cloud backups, which are often online and accessible, Airgap ensures a true offline copy that is untouchable by cyber threats. Its key mechanisms include: 

• Data is stored on a system that is disconnected from the internet or only accessible for a limited time. 

• Hackers cannot encrypt or delete backup data due to the lack of a direct connection to the primary system. 

• Businesses can quickly restore all data without having to pay ransom to hackers in the event of an attack 

Why we should prioritize Air-Gap Backup 

1. Cost savings and potential losses

Cyber incidents are not just IT problems—they are business continuity disasters. The average cost of a ransomware attack is $1.85 million, and downtime can last weeks. Regulatory fines due to data breaches can reach millions.

By contrast, implementing Airgap backup requires a fraction of this cost, acting as an insurance policy that ensures business continuity without hefty recovery expenses.

2. Compliance & Regulatory Requirements

Data protection regulations worldwide emphasize the need for secure, immutable backups.

Air-Gap Backup not only secures your data but also ensures your company meets regulatory standards and avoiding costly penalties.

3. Business Continuity – Minimize Downtime, Maximize Trust

What happens if your entire cloud backup is compromised? With Air-Gap Backup, your business can recover data within hours, not weeks. 

With Air-Gap Backup: Your organization has a secure, offline copy ready to restore immediately. Without Air-Gap Backup: You risk losing data permanently or paying exorbitant ransom fees, causing operational chaos and reputational damage.  

 

Criteria	Cloud Backup	Air-Gap Backup
Governance	Limited control over data management, increasing the risk of governance violations	Full control over data management and compliance with internal policies.
Risk Management	Exposed to cybersecurity risks like ransomware and breaches, and potential downtime if the cloud provider experiences issues.	Significantly reduces cybersecurity risks due to isolation, ensuring business continuity.
Compliance	May not meet industry-specific security standards, leaving the business vulnerable to non-compliance penalties.	Guarantees compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and other regulations.

 

Conclusion

Cloud backups, while cost-effective, leave businesses exposed to significant risks—governance issues, security threats, and non-compliance penalties. Air-Gap Backup offers a more secure, compliant solution by giving you full control over your data, reducing risks, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.   

 Evvo Labs provides a 100% secure Air-Gap Backup solution, protecting businesses from cybersecurity threats and ensuring rapid recovery in any situation. 

Contact us today to learn how Evvo Labs can help you build a secure and efficient backup system for your business!