There’s no knowing when a cyberattack, natural disaster, or equipment failure is going to happen, but this doesn’t mean that organizations can’t be prepared for these events.
There were 3,158 data breaches in the US in 2024, affecting more than 1.35 billion individuals. In the same year, weather-related catastrophes were responsible for more than 90% of the nation’s total losses, which totaled $320 billion. Unsurprisingly, 96% of organizations have a backup and disaster recovery system in place. But these systems must be updated regularly if they are to remain effective.
To find out what 438,183 technology leaders in the US’s opinions were about system updates in data recovery, we utilized AI-driven audience profiling to synthesize insights from online discussions for a year, ending 4 August 2025, to a high statistical confidence level. This enabled us to analyze their views and provide a deeper understanding of their experiences and practices.
How Can Businesses Optimize Costs Related To Cloud Backups?
17% of technology leaders say that scheduled backups are a critical strategy for optimizing costs
Technology leaders are weighing a mix of strategies to rein in cloud backup costs:
To optimise cloud backup costs, businesses need visibility into how their budget is being allocated. With decision-makers estimating that 28% of public cloud spend is wasted, it’s clear why cost control is becoming a growing priority. McKinsey Digital backs this up, noting that smart changes can cut cloud costs by 15 to 25% without losing performance. So what actually helps?
For our audience of technology leaders, scheduled backups stand out as a way to optimize cloud backup costs, with 17% calling them a crucial strategy and another 16% saying they’re worth considering. Comparing providers is also seen as worthwhile by 22%, with 9% saying it’s crucial. Tiered storage splits opinion: 5% say it’s crucial, 17% say it’s worth a look, and 4% don’t see it as a priority. Redundancy settings land lower, with just 2% calling them crucial and 8% worth considering.
These numbers suggest that technology leaders are actively looking for practical ways to reduce cloud backup costs, but opinions vary on which strategies deliver the most value.
“Cost savings in the cloud can’t come at the expense of resilience. The leaders we see getting it right strike a balance: driving efficiency through smart retention policy and storage strategy while ensuring their data is always recoverable when it matters most.”
-Rob Peterson, CEO of Infrascale
How Can Organizations Future-Proof Their Cloud Backup Architecture?
78% of technology leaders agree that testing cloud migration options is an essential strategy for future-proofing cloud backup architecture
While several tactics are in play, one approach dominates the conversation:
If future-proofing cloud backup architecture is the goal, testing comes out way ahead. A strong 78% of technology leaders in our audience see testing cloud migration options as an essential strategy, and another 17% think it’s worth considering. That’s a big vote of confidence. Recent research into cloud migration testing strategies shows that the most effective testing checks how systems perform under pressure, preserves data integrity, maintains performance, and protects security.
In contrast, other strategies aren’t getting nearly the same amount of traction, and it’s very evident where the focus lies. Just 3% see embracing scalability as an essential strategy, 2% say the same for monitoring industry trends, and only 1% rate regularly assessing needs as an essential strategy.
“Future-proofing backup environments starts with testing. Without validating migration paths and recovery processes under real-world conditions, organizations are left with assumptions instead of assurance—and assumptions won’t keep critical systems running when disruption hits.”
-Andrew Evers, CTO of Infrascale
How Often Should Businesses Test Their Cloud Backup And Recovery Systems?
68% technology leaders conduct essential cloud backup and recovery systems tests after data breaches
One trigger for testing cloud backups emerges far ahead of the rest:
Timing matters when it comes to testing cloud backup and recovery systems. The clear priority is testing after data breaches, with 68% of technology leaders calling it essential and another 19% saying it’s recommended. That focus tracks with the rising cost of failure, as the global average cost of a data breach reached a record $4.88 million in 2024.
Despite that urgency, other testing triggers get far less attention. Just 3% say testing on a fixed schedule is essential, though 7% still recommend it. Testing as part of disaster simulations is viewed as essential by only 2%, and with major system changes, that number drops to 1%. With testing after a breach being the overwhelming focus, it also highlights a significant gap in proactive preparedness. The low emphasis on scheduled tests, simulations, and system change triggers may leave businesses vulnerable to failure when it matters most, highlighting the need for a more balanced, preventative strategy.
How Should Businesses Assess Their Cloud Backup Needs?
30% of technology leaders say evaluating their backup requirements is an essential priority for ensuring business continuity.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when deciding how to structure backup needs:
When deciding how to assess their cloud backup needs, businesses are most likely to focus on what matters most during a disruption. A full 30% of technology leaders say business continuity priorities are essential to this process, with another 14% recommending them as a guide. That focus is especially important when you consider that only two-thirds of small business owners currently have a business continuity plan in place.
Other factors carry less weight but are still talking points, with assessing cloud backup needs based on data volume considered essential by 13%, while 11% say the same for both team size and recovery goals, like RTO and RPO. Team size is also rated as recommended by 8% and important by 4%, while compliance standards are considered essential by 8%, splitting priorities somewhat.
How Should Companies Evaluate Data Security In Cloud Backups?
78% of business leaders say that data security in cloud backups should be evaluated by the use of MFA
One security feature is clearly doing the heavy lifting:
When evaluating data security in cloud backups, most companies are focused on keeping accounts locked down. Multi-factor authentication leads by a long shot, and 78% of our audience says it’s the top thing to look for, and it’s easy to see why. MFA can boost account security by 99%, making it one of the simplest and most effective safeguards out there.
Zero-trust architecture is next, with 15% highlighting it as a key focus. After that, interest drops off quickly. Compliance certifications come in at 3%, while encryption standards and physical data center protections are each mentioned by just 2%, revealing that most companies are prioritizing access control over broader infrastructure or compliance measures.
How Should Cloud Backup Compliance And Legal Concerns Be Addressed?
Encrypting sensitive data is recommended by 62% of technology leaders for ensuring backup compliance and regulation
One priority shapes how technology leaders think about cloud backup regulations:
Compliance alignment is clearly on the radar, with research showing that 68% of organizations rate it as their top priority when choosing a cloud backup vendor. However, there’s no single answer for how cloud backup compliance and legal concerns should be addressed.
For our audience of technology leaders, encrypting sensitive data is the most widely used tactic by 62%. Using regional data centers is also seen as important, rated essential by 12% and recommended by another 19%.
After that, the focus becomes much more limited, with only 4% saying knowing industry-specific regulations is essential, and 1% recommending it. Maintaining audit logs is recommended by just 1%, and another 1% say conducting compliance reviews is essential, putting the focus firmly on encryption overall..
How Should Version Control Be Handled In Cloud Backups?
51% of technology leaders say that version control in cloud backups should be handled using retention policies
There’s a near 50-50 split on how best to stay on top of cloud backup versions:
Version control plays a major role in keeping cloud backups useful, and businesses are nearly divided on how to manage it. 51% of technology leaders feel setting retention policies is the best approach, while 49% favor automated syncing.
Both have their place. Retention policy best practices suggest looking at how data is actually used, not just when it was created. That way, teams avoid clearing out files that may be old but still matter. Automated syncing works hand in hand with this, keeping the latest versions up to date and helping enforce retention rules without extra effort. It also pays to revisit those policies from time to time to make sure they still fit the way the business runs.
What Are The Best Practices For Choosing A Cloud Backup Provider?
38% of technology leaders say that customer support is an essential factor when choosing a cloud backup provider
In deciding on provider must-haves, one factor is the clear priority:
Choosing the right cloud backup provider often comes down to the quality of customer support. It’s the standout factor in this decision, rated essential by 38% of technology leaders and important by another 34%. That focus aligns with a broader shift in expectations, as 78% of customers now want more personalization in service interactions than ever before.
Other features matter too, but none register quite as strongly. Integration capabilities are considered essential by 10% and important by 11%, highlighting the need for systems that slot smoothly into existing workflows.
Rounding out the list, transparent pricing is rated essential by just 1% and important by 3%, while uptime history sees the same modest figures, with only 1% rating it as essential and 1% as important.
All of this shows that while technical features still matter, the human element—especially responsive, personalized support—is now the top priority when selecting a cloud backup provider.
What Are The Biggest Mistakes Companies Make With Cloud Backup?
For 47% of technology leaders, a lack of recovery testing is a significant oversight when utilizing cloud backups
One issue dominates perceptions of cloud backup risk:
One of the biggest mistakes companies make with cloud backup is assuming the system will work without ever testing it. No recovery testing is where the cracks tend to show, with 11% of technology leaders in our audience calling it a critical oversight and 47% seeing it as a significant one. Another 6% say it’s a minor issue, while 11% don’t view it as a concern at all. To validate a backup plan, conducting a drill test is essential, as it simulates a real-world system failure and confirms whether recovery processes will hold up under pressure.
Other missteps are less top of mind. Lack of training is flagged as a significant oversight by 2% and a minor issue by 8%. Using outdated software is seen as a significant concern by 3% and a minor one by 5%. Infrequent backups round things out, with 7% seeing it as a minor issue despite the fact that data loss from missed or delayed backups can have major operational and financial consequences.
What Should An Effective Cloud Backup Strategy Begin With?
76% of technology leaders agree that an effective cloud backup strategy should begin with assessing risk tolerance
There’s little debate on what matters most at the beginning of a solid backup plan:
An effective cloud backup strategy should begin with a clear understanding of risk tolerance. That view was strongly backed by 76% of technology leaders in our audience, who rated risk assessment as the most strategically important starting point.
Defining backup frequency followed at 24%, showing it’s still a key step, but secondary to knowing what’s truly at stake. In fact, lost business and reputational damage were the biggest reasons breach costs rose in 2024, with this fallout alone adding an average of $1.47 million to the bill when data protection came up short.
What Should Be Included In A Disaster Recovery Plan?
32% of technology leaders say that staff training is essential and recommended for inclusion in a disaster recovery plan
Certain disaster recovery components rise to the top of the must-have list:
Knowing what to include in a disaster recovery plan is key to keeping operations running smoothly when things go wrong. A recent study on challenges that organizations need to overcome to ensure the continuity of their IT operations points out how staff awareness and training are crucial for effective disaster recovery planning and execution. Our data backs this up, with 18% of technology leaders seeing staff training as essential and another 14% recommending it.
Technology stack readiness is another top priority, with 27% viewing it as essential to any effective plan. Clear recovery objectives also rank highly, cited as essential by 22%. Testing rounds out the list, though with a softer emphasis. 11% say a regular testing schedule is essential, and a further 8% recommend it.
From these opinions, it’s evident that while having the right technology in place is critical, human factors like staff training and clear recovery objectives are just as important in building a disaster recovery plan that actually works when it matters most.
What Tools Or Platforms Best Support Multi-Cloud Backup Strategies?
57% technology leaders agree that backup orchestration tools best support multi-cloud backup strategies
The strongest multi-cloud strategies tend to share one defining feature:
Knowing which tools best support multi-cloud backup strategies is key to building a setup that can handle complexity without compromise. Backup orchestration tools are the clear frontrunners, with 57% of technology leaders calling them essential. That aligns with recent findings showing that while multi-cloud systems can enhance resilience, they rely heavily on strong orchestration, unified data policies, and proactive testing to deliver true business continuity.
AI-based monitoring also earns support, seen as essential by 13% and recommended by another 18%. Hybrid-cloud management tools complete the picture, with 12% saying they are essential for success. This reveals that successful multi-cloud backup strategies depend not just on spreading data across platforms, but on having the right orchestration and monitoring tools in place to keep everything secure and resilient.
What Types Of Data Should Be Prioritized For Cloud Backups?
34% technology leaders say that it’s essential to backup all mission-critical systems to the cloud
Technology leaders are drawing clear lines around what absolutely needs to be backed up:
In deciding what types of data should be prioritized for cloud backups, mission-critical systems come out on top. 34% of technology leaders say these systems are essential to include, with another 15% recommending them. That lines up with just how much of the US economy now depends on the cloud.
Recent research points out that over 95% of Fortune 500 companies rely on cloud services, and many critical sectors, including finance, energy, and healthcare, use the cloud to power their core systems. So, protecting that data isn’t just a tech decision; it’s a matter of national security.
Interestingly, some still see full system backups as overkill, with 18% saying backing up all mission-critical systems isn’t necessary. Employee files and financial records also make the list, though at a lower priority, with 18% and 16% respectively saying they should be prioritized for backup. This makes sense, especially if businesses have a larger workforce or turnover.
Which City Is Nearest To Your Business Location?
Chicago is the confirmed nearest city for 37% of technology leaders in our audience
The cities most aligned with business locations offer some unexpected insights:
Chicago emerges as the city nearest to where 37% of our audience are based, with another 5% seeing it as a possible match and 3% saying it’s unlikely the nearest location. Chicago’s prominence in the data reflects its growing status as a national tech hub. Over the past decade, the Windy City has seen an 18% increase in its tech workforce, helping position it as a strategic base for innovation-driven businesses.
Houston follows, with 23% confirming it as closest, 8% calling it a possible match, and 6% rating it unlikely. What’s interesting here is that the two leading cities are not on the West Coast, suggesting that cloud infrastructure and strategic proximity may be shifting inland.
Los Angeles has 9% confirming this location as nearest, while Phoenix is confirmed by 6%, considered possible by 2%, and unlikely by 1%. Just 1% mention New York City as a possible nearest fit, which is interesting as it is widely considered the biggest business center in the US.
Cloud backup has become a key part of how businesses protect their systems and stay one step ahead, and these insights from more than 400,000 technology leaders show how much clarity and control come from having the right setup. With strong plans, reliable tools, and a little foresight, backups become less of a chore and more of a smart way to keep everything running smoothly.
Methodology
Sourced using Artios from an independent sample of 434,401 United States technology leaders’ opinions across X, Reddit, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, and BlueSky. Responses are collected within a 90% confidence interval and 5% margin of error. Results are derived from opinions expressed online, not actual questions answered by people in the sample.
About the representative sample:
- 43% of technology leaders in the US are between the ages of 45 and 64.
- 59% identify as male and 41% as female.
- 75% earn between $200,000 and $500,000 annually.