Compare cloud and offline recovery copies

Learning edition: 5 October 2026. Introductory learning material.

Cloud storage can be offsite. “Cloud” and “offsite” are not opposing categories: location, connectivity and protection from alteration are separate design choices.

Ordinary file synchronization is not automatically a recoverable backup. Deletions or unwanted changes may synchronize too. Check version retention, restoration capabilities and who can delete recovery copies.

Removable media can provide an offline copy when appropriately disconnected and protected. Cloud backup may provide separate retention and recovery controls. Evaluate the actual service and configuration.

Activity: Compare two recovery options using restoration time, access protection, retention, tested recovery and total cost.

Reference: CISA guidance on protecting stored data. Check the source and your system provider’s current instructions before implementation.

Recovery exercise: prove useful restoration

Use a harmless test file and an authorized test location. Have the recovery owner restore the file from the intended backup, open it, confirm the expected version and permissions, and record elapsed time. Do not overwrite production data for this exercise.

Record: system or data set; recovery-copy date; test date; responsible person; expected result; actual result; restoration time; missing dependencies; corrective action and next test date. A successful backup-job message is only one piece of evidence.

Discuss: If the latest usable copy is from yesterday evening, how much work might be lost? Could your business operate while access is restored? Agree acceptable data loss and downtime with the business owner.

Complete the knowledge check below before moving on.