Do I need backup for my Ubuntu workloads?

Backup and data recovery procedures and tools are vital, no matter which operating system your workloads run on. This is especially true when you consider how devastating any data loss can be to your business.

These principles are also true with the Ubuntu operating system (OS), even though Ubuntu is designed to be secure by default. For example, user programs are run with low privileges so they can’t corrupt the OS or other users’ files. Ubuntu also offers additional tools for increased security, such as a dedicated tool that assigns temporary privileges for users performing administrative files.

Yet despite all these safeguards and security measures, it should still be considered a best practice to maintain a comprehensive backup strategy with the most effective solutions possible.

What is Ubuntu OS?

Ubuntu is a complete Linux operating system and is available for free with community and professional support. The Ubuntu OS is the result of the commitment from the official Ubuntu Manifesto: that software should be available for free, that software tools should be able to be used by people in their local language, and that people should have the freedom to customize their software in whatever way they choose.

Ubuntu is available in three different editions — Desktop, Server, and Core — and is released every six months.

Is Ubuntu part of Linux?

It can be a little tricky to understand the differences between Linux and Ubuntu. Linux is an operating system kernel that is based on Linux where Ubuntu is a distribution of an OS known as GNU / Linux.

As an open-source technology, Linux is not a commercial product. This means any user can modify the code to make it better, in any way they choose. But at the same time, Linux lacks many of the features and capabilities that are needed to make a complete OS valuable to a wide range of users. This is where Ubuntu comes in. The Ubuntu OS is an open-source operating system built on top of Linux that includes an intuitive user interface and many other important features.

Does Ubuntu have a backup utility?

Ubuntu does include a simple backup tool called Déjà Dup. Déjà Dup is a file backup and restoration tool available for Ubuntu, Linux and other distributions. This backup tool offers important functionality such as incremental backups, encryption, scheduling, and even support for remote services.

Using Déjà Dup, users can quickly revert files to previous versions or restore missing files from a file manager window using a simple, but intuitive, interface.

Is Ubuntu native backup enough?

Unfortunately, despite the security design and availability of the of Déjà Dup backup tool, in many cases, Ubuntu still requires additional backup tools and approaches for the following reason.

·         While you can back up and restore selected files and folders with Ubuntu, it is cumbersome to back up and restore full-disk images. With disk image backups, the software takes an image of the entire hard disk. This lets you restore the entire system to another computer, including the operating system, applications, browser history, preferences, settings, bookmarks, device drivers, and all the files you created and downloaded. Image backups let you restore the entire system and/or get back to a previous state fast. Disk image backups also let you back up everything and only restore the selected files and folders that you need.

Full-disk image backups also let you restore to bare metal; that is, restore everything on your computer to a new computer with an empty disk. This is especially helpful in cases where your original computer is destroyed, stolen, or lost.

·         Déjà Dup does not provide advanced scheduling options and only provides simplistic options such as “daily” or “monthly.” 

·         Since Ubuntu is based on open-source coding, it does not go through rigorous QA processes and checks, often resulting in clunky workarounds from the Ubuntu community.

·         Small, fundamental changes can often lead to additional dependency errors and can result in new security vulnerabilities or other issues.

·         Ubuntu has no mechanisms in place to protect you from restoring already-infected files from backups.

Should I use third-party backup software for Ubuntu?

To protect business-critical data, you need the best backup capabilities possible, which means turning to third-party solutions, like Acronis Cyber Protect (includes Acronis Cyber Backup). Today, this includes solutions that offer advanced capabilities such as automation and backup scheduling. This can also include complementary features, such as anti-malware and antivirus to keep data secure.

Should I use the cloud to store my Ubuntu backups?

You should not store your backup copies locally — either on your endpoints or local drives. If you experience an event such as a fire, flood, or cyberattack, the backup copies can be destroyed or compromised.

Instead, industry experts recommend that you follow the 3-2-1 backup rule, which stipulates that you keep your data in three places, across two media, with one backup stored offsite, such as in the cloud. Regardless of what happens, you will always have at least one backup to recover your system. Acronis Cyber Protect (includes Acronis Cyber Backup) — integrated backup and security software for Linux and Ubuntu

Acronis Cyber Protect (includes Acronis Cyber Backup) offers businesses a cyber protection solution that natively integrates cybersecurity, data protection, and workload management to protect endpoints, systems, and data. By integrating data protection with cybersecurity, your business can eliminate complexity, deliver better protection against today’s threats, and maximize efficiency by saving time and money.

In addition to business cybersecurity and endpoint protection management, vulnerability assessments, patch management, remote desktop, and drive health, Acronis Cyber Protect (includes Acronis Cyber Backup) also provides backup and fast and reliable recovery of your apps, systems, and data on any device, from any incident.