Why MSPs Need Google Workspace Backup and Continuity
Table of Contents
And How Axcient Does It
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) has become a staple for businesses worldwide, offering essential productivity tools such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. However, many MSPs and their clients mistakenly believe that Google provides comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solutions. This assumption can leave businesses vulnerable to data loss due to cyber-attacks, accidental deletions, or system outages.
As an MSP, it is crucial to recognize that Google Workspace alone does not ensure complete business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR). Instead, businesses need a reliable third-party backup solution like Axcient x360Cloud to safeguard their data.
Understanding Google Workspace’s Shared Responsibility Model
Google Workspace operates under a shared responsibility model, meaning that while Google ensures the availability and security of its infrastructure, customers are responsible for protecting their own data. This includes safeguarding against accidental deletions, cyber threats, and compliance risks. Clients must proactively back up their data to ensure it remains accessible and protected in unforeseen incidents – but that is easier said than done.
According to Google, “You’re the expert in knowing the security and regulatory requirements for your business, and knowing the requirements for protecting your confidential data and resources. When you run your workloads on Google Cloud, you must identify the security controls that you need to configure in Google Cloud to help protect your confidential data and each workload.”
For MSPs, the shared responsibility model underscores the importance of offering a comprehensive backup solution to their clients. Clients aren’t going to know the security and regulatory requirements for their businesses, which is why MSPs must guarantee the following:
- Clients understand their expected role in Google Workspace data protection and the limitations of Google Workspace.
- A reliable, automated backup solution is in place to prevent data loss from various threat vectors.
- You provide an additional security and compliance readiness layer that Google Workspace does not inherently offer.
6 Reasons Why Google Workspace Alone Is Not Enough
Despite its many advantages, Google Workspace’s native data protection capabilities have limitations that can put clients at risk.
1. Limited data retention
Google Workspace typically retains deleted items for 30 days to six months, after which they are permanently removed. On average, it takes 292 days to identify and contain breaches involving stolen credentials – one of the most popular attack types. This means many clients may not realize a violation until after Google Workspace’s retention period has closed and the data is unrecoverable.
2. No protection against human error
Nine out of 10, or 88%, of data loss incidents are caused by employees’ accidental deletions or overwriting of files. While highly engaging security training should be completed regularly, there’s no way to stop human error – you can only plan for it and be ready to recover. These mistakes and limited retention times can lead to permanent data loss without a robust backup solution.
3. Vulnerabilities to cyber threats
Like any big name, Google Workspace is susceptible to ransomware attacks, phishing attempts, and insider threats. If an attack compromises user accounts, valuable business data can be encrypted, modified, or deleted without the possibility of recovery. Storing your backup data with the same company as your collaboration services jeopardizes productivity. If Google goes down due to an outage or attack (and that does happen), you’ll be stuck without backup protocols or the Google Workspace suite– what we refer to as “complete downtime.”
4. Compliance risks
Organizations subject to regulatory requirements like HIPAA, GDPR, or FINRA must deliver data retention and protection that exceeds Google’s native capabilities. Specifically, Google Workspace’s retention policies may not align with industry compliance needs. This exposes clients to regulatory penalties and leaves MSPs unable to serve all customer needs.
5. Limited recovery options
Google Workspace’s built-in recovery tools offer only basic version control and short-term restores. Complex recovery scenarios, such as restoring entire organizational data, are not easily supported. Third-party backup and recovery tools are recommended to bridge the gap left by Google Workspace.
6. Lack of backup immutability
Native Google Workspace data can be altered or deleted permanently by malicious actors or disgruntled employees. Without an immutable backup, businesses risk losing their critical data with no way to roll back changes.
How Axcient x360Cloud Provides Superior Google Workspace Protection
Axcient x360Cloud is a purpose-built cloud-to-cloud backup solution designed to protect Google Workspace data effectively. It offers a comprehensive feature set that addresses the shortcomings of native Google Workspace protections.
- Automated and reliable backups: x360Cloud provides automated daily backups of Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Contacts, and Shared Drives. Data is securely stored in the encrypted, tamper-proof Axcient Cloud, which is SOC 2 Certified and uses AirGap technology for immutable data protection.
- Instant search and recovery: SmartSearch technology allows full-text search across over 100 million objects in less than 5 seconds. MSPs can quickly locate and restore data to minimize business disruption.
- Granular and bulk restores: Whether restoring a single email or an entire drive, x360Cloud enables both granular and bulk recovery options to meet diverse business needs.
- Audit-ready reporting and compliance: Detailed reports and immutable audit logs help businesses meet compliance requirements and support e-discovery requests in the legal sector. Logs provide extensive diagnostic details and exportable reports to easily track cyber incidents for post-recovery processing and cyber insurance requirements.
- Protection against ransomware and deletion: Axcient’s patented AirGap technology prevents ransomware and accidental deletions from impacting backup integrity. AirGap keeps data deletion requests separate from the actual mechanics of data deletion to maintain data security even in a targeted cyberattack.
- Data immutability: This feature ensures that backup data cannot be altered, deleted, or tampered with, providing an immutable copy of business-critical information. It guarantees that businesses can recover data with complete integrity, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.
- Seamless integration and monitoring: x360Cloud integrates with leading PSA tools like ConnectWise, offering monitoring, alerting, and backup diagnostics in a single, easy management interface. Public APIs allow simplified workflow automation to retrieve data, deliver enhanced reporting, and build integrations for the future.
The Competitive Edge for MSPs
Axcient x360Cloud provides MSPs with a significant competitive advantage by offering an all-in-one, easy-to-manage solution that surpasses other providers in the market. Unlike competitors, Axcient delivers advanced features like Chain-Free backups, AirGap technology, and rapid search capabilities to ensure faster and more secure data recovery.
The ability to integrate seamlessly with existing systems and provide audit-ready reporting further enhances MSPs’ ability to offer top-tier service, positioning them as trusted advisors to clients. Additionally, Axcient’s focus on automation and ease of deployment means MSPs can save time and reduce operational costs while building client trust and loyalty.
Ready to See the Axcient Difference?
Google Workspace is a vital tool for modern businesses, but relying solely on its native backup capabilities is a risk MSPs cannot afford to take. With x360Cloud, MSPs can offer their clients reliable, responsive, and efficient backup protection for Google Workspace data for business continuity and compliance.
Take your data protection strategy to the next level, starting with a free 14-day trial of x360Cloud!
Or check out a recorded demo of x360Cloud.
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