Managing Secure Backup and Archival of Legacy Data for Client using Msp360 Backup

Client Background 

The client is a giant in Agri-tech and agri-business sector. Their operations cover every major region in India. They train farmers, support organic farming, and study high-yield crop breeds. They also develop disaster-resistant crops, teach pest control methods, and run IoT monitoring. 

Their work generates massive data volumes. The data spans farmer personal details, genomics research, soil analysis, climate records, geospatial data, market data, and IoT device logs. With decades of research, their on-premise storage grew to 33 TB of critical and sensitive information. 

Data Categories and Volumes 

  • Farmer personal and training data: 500 GB structured files, 5 TB multimedia 
  • Genomics research: 20 TB sequences and experimental data 
  • Research analytics: 2 GB specialized databases 
  • Geospatial datasets: 5 TB images, maps, and coordinates 
  • Agri-market and supply chain: 200 GB structured SQL 
  • IoT data from sensors: 100 GB JSON and Avro files 
  • Intellectual property: 150 GB patents, documents, and XML files 

The data supported training, research, farmer outreach, and national-level projects. But local storage alone was creating major risks. 

Problems Faced 

1. Inefficient Local Backup 

The client relied only on on-premise servers. These lacked flexibility and scale. Their server backup process was slow, unreliable, and prone to errors. 

This setup risked non-compliance with government laws. For example, farmer Aadhaar data needed stricter handling. The absence of a secure server backup solution meant sensitive information could be exposed. 

2. Data Loss Risks 

The company faced the classic issue of a single point of failure. Hardware failure, cyberattacks, or natural disasters could wipe out years of research. Without a proper server backup software, recovery was uncertain. 

3. High Maintenance Costs 

Maintaining local backup servers consumed time, money, and IT staff resources. Hardware upgrades were frequent. Licensing old tools was expensive. 

4. Backup and Recovery Challenges 

Recovery from local backup was time-consuming. The server backup types they used were inconsistent. There was no central plan to define when to run a full backup, differential backup, or incremental backup. 

When asked, “What are three types of backups?” the client could name them but had no structured use of them. Their system mixed them randomly, making restoration harder. 

5. Archival Pain Points 

Archiving large datasets was even more complex. Problems included: 

  • Compliance with laws like PDPB, DPDP, IT Act, and CAP. 
  • Protecting intellectual property and farmer personal data. 
  • Avoiding data corruption during long-term storage. 
  • Slow data retrieval during audits or legal checks. 
  • Physical risks like fire, theft, or natural events. 

Solution with MSP360 Backup and AWS Glacier 

The client needed a server backup solution that ensured safety, compliance, and cost control. We proposed MSP360 Backup, a flexible server backup software that integrates with AWS Glacier for long-term storage. 

This approach allowed a secure server backup process, scalable archiving, and cost-effective retrieval. 

Step 1: Backup Job Setup with MSP360 

We installed msp360 backup agents across all repositories. Each dataset, such as farmer training files, genomics sequences, or IoT data, was mapped to a dedicated backup job. 

  • Data with PII went first to Glacier Instant Retrieval. 
  • Other data types were sent to Glacier Flexible Retrieval or Deep Archive. 
  • This structure matched compliance rules while controlling costs. 

Step 2: Mitigating PII Risks 

PII handling was the most sensitive task. We used Amazon Macie to scan farmer training files for Aadhaar, phone numbers, and insurance details. 

The detected fields were encrypted using AWS KMS. AWS Glue was used to mask personal data before archiving. EventBridge triggers automated this server backup process for new incoming records. 

This ensured secure long-term retention while keeping personal details private. 

Step 3: Retention Policies for Each Dataset 

Retention schedules were mapped to compliance needs: 

  • Farmer personal data: Glacier Instant → Flexible → Deep Archive (10 years) → Delete. 
  • Genomics data: Flexible (5 years) → Deep Archive. 
  • Research data: Flexible (5 years) → Deep Archive. 
  • Geospatial data: Flexible (20 years) → Deep Archive. 
  • Agri-market SQL: Flexible (5 years) → Deep Archive (20 years) → Delete. 
  • Training multimedia: Flexible (5 years) → Deep Archive (10 years) → Delete. 
  • IoT device logs: Flexible (1 year) → Deep Archive (2 years) → Delete. 
  • IP data: Flexible (10 years) → Deep Archive. 

Each repository had its own lifecycle, ensuring compliance and reducing storage costs. 

Step 4: Security Enhancements 

We enforced strict IAM roles and bucket policies. Each bucket accepted only authorized traffic. Encryption used AWS KMS keys. With these measures, archived data stayed secure and tamper-proof. 

Outcomes Achieved 

SLA Compliance 

Retrieval times were tested and validated. 

  • Instant Retrieval: ~127 minutes per TB. 
  • Flexible Retrieval: ~1,690 minutes per TB. 

This matched compliance service-level agreements for disaster recovery and legal access. 

Cost Optimization 

Using Glacier Instant Retrieval over S3 Standard reduced costs by 68%. Combined with lifecycle policies, the client saved heavily on storage bills. 

Storage Scalability 

The infrastructure now scales with growing data volumes. AWS storage classes adjust to the client’s future research and IoT expansion. 

Enhanced Security 

Data is encrypted, masked, and stored with strict access controls. Even archived data meets server backup solution requirements for compliance. 

Why MSP360 Backup Was the Right Fit 

The client compared multiple server backup software options. Most failed to meet their mix of compliance, scalability, and long-term cost needs. 

MSP360 Backup stood out because it: 

  • Supports multiple server backup types
  • Simplifies the server backup process with clear job management. 
  • Works smoothly with AWS storage services. 
  • Reduces costs while maintaining compliance. 

When asked, “What are three types of backups?” the software could apply them correctly: 

  1. Full backup – for complete datasets like genomics records. 
  1. Differential backup – for changes since the last full backup, such as market data updates. 
  1. Incremental backup – for smaller daily changes, such as IoT logs. 

The system was now structured, predictable, and reliable. 

Broader Benefits of the Solution 

  • Compliance Ready: Data handling aligns with Indian data privacy laws. 
  • Business Continuity: Even in disasters, data can be restored. 
  • Improved Research: Secure archives enable easy access for new projects. 
  • Reduced IT Pressure: Automation cut down staff workload on manual backups. 
  • Trusted IP Protection: Patents and research data are secured for decades. 

Final Results 

With msp360 backup and AWS Glacier, the client moved from unreliable local servers to a modern, secure, and cost-effective server backup solution. 

Their server backup process now handles 33 TB of critical data with confidence. Each dataset follows a defined lifecycle. Retrieval is predictable. Costs are under control. 

The client now has: 

  • A strong plan for server backup types. 
  • Compliance with data protection rules. 
  • A structure for safe archival and quick retrieval. 
  • Savings of more than 60% compared to old methods. 

By using the right server backup software, they now have a secure and scalable solution. It is stable, compliant, and ready to support their future growth. 

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