The Importance of Cloud Backup: A Lesson Learned from the UniSuper Outage

May 22, 2024 | Backup Solutions, Cloud Services, Data Recovery, Veeam

In the world of technology, even the most trusted giants can stumble. A recent incident involving Google Cloud and UniSuper, a major Australian pension fund, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cloud backup solutions.

UniSuper’s Nightmare: Data Deleted, Services Down

UniSuper, managing a staggering $135 billion in retirement funds, faced a terrifying ordeal in May 2024. Due to an “unprecedented” error at Google Cloud, UniSuper’s entire account, including backups stored on the platform, was accidentally deleted. This resulted in a two-week long service outage, causing immense disruption and panic among its members.

EDSI Cloud Protects Against Accidental Deletion

Fortunately, UniSuper had implemented a multi-cloud strategy, employing a secondary cloud provider. This foresight allowed them to recover their data and restore services. However, the incident highlighted a critical lesson: relying solely on a single cloud provider’s infrastructure can be perilous.

The 3-2-1 Backup Approach: Your Data Safety Net

EDSI Technology strongly recommends the 3-2-1 backup approach to ensure comprehensive data protection. This strategy dictates:

  • 3 Copies: Maintain three copies of your data for redundancy.
  • 2 Media Types: Store your data on two different media types, such as a local hard drive and cloud storage.
  • 1 Offsite Copy: Keep at least one copy of your data in a geographically separate location to safeguard against localized disasters.

By following the 3-2-1 approach, you significantly increase your chances of recovering your data even in the face of unforeseen circumstances like the one experienced by UniSuper.

EDSI and Veeam Cloud Connect: Your Recovery Partners

EDSI Technology offers Veeam Cloud Connect, a reliable solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing Veeam backup infrastructure. Veeam Cloud Connect enables you to securely store your backups offsite, fulfilling the “1 Offsite Copy” requirement of the 3-2-1 approach. This eliminates the need for expensive secondary data centers and simplifies the offsite backup process.

Benefits of Veeam Cloud Connect with EDSI:

  • Fast and Reliable Recovery: Restore your data quickly and minimize downtime in case of disruptions.
  • Data Loss Prevention: Safeguard your critical data against accidental deletion, corruption, or system outages.
  • Verified Recoverability: Regularly test your backups to ensure they are readily recoverable when needed.
  • Enhanced Security: Leverage Veeam’s robust security features to keep your data protected in the cloud.
  • Seamless Integration: Integrate Veeam Cloud Connect seamlessly with your existing Veeam environment.

Don’t Let Your Business Become the Next UniSuper

The UniSuper incident serves as a cautionary tale. Don’t wait for disaster to strike before implementing a comprehensive cloud backup strategy. Contact EDSI Technology today and explore how Veeam Cloud Connect can empower your business with complete data security and peace of mind.