What is cloud backup and disaster recovery?
What is cloud backup and disaster recovery?
Ask by ICSM Computer
Updated 12 Feb 2026
Cloud backup and disaster recovery are data protection measures that are employed to eliminate data losses and ensure business continuity.
Cloud backup refers to the act of copying and storing information on remote cloud servers rather than on the storage equipment in the local drive. Such data as files, databases and applications are automatically transferred to the secure data centres of a cloud provider over the internet. In case of an accidental deletion, corruption or loss of the data on the hardware, the same can be restored in the cloud. Cloud backup is economical, scalable and can be accessed anywhere. This is primarily concerned with data protection and recovery.
Disaster recovery (DR) is a more comprehensive approach that facilitates the reinstatement of the IT systems, applications and infrastructure following a significant failure or disaster like cyberattacks, natural calamities or server crashes. Backup servers, virtual machines, replication, and failover systems may be part of the disaster recovery. This is aimed at reducing downtimes and restoring business activities promptly.
To make it very simple, cloud backup safeguards and recovers information, whereas disaster recovery revives entire systems and functions in case of a disaster. Disaster recovery planning includes cloud backup, but disaster recovery can encompass more, e.g., infrastructure, applications, and continuity of the business.