Never lose critical data again
Managed Backup and Disaster Recovery in South Africa
Backup and disaster recovery is the practice of keeping verified copies of your business data, with a tested plan to restore them quickly after ransomware, hardware failure or human error. Hope is not a backup strategy. Whether it's ransomware, hardware failure, or human error, data loss can cripple your business. We design backup solutions that actually work when you need them, tested and verified regularly so there are no surprises.
Why do business backups fail?
Business backups fail for four common reasons. The backup was never tested and cannot be restored, the only copy sits on a drive that ransomware also encrypts, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace data was assumed to be backed up when it is not, and nobody noticed the backup job stopped running months ago.
These stories are far too common. Real backup means regular testing, multiple locations, and a clear recovery plan that everyone knows.
What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?
The 3-2-1 rule means keeping three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site. It is the foundation of every backup strategy AMEA designs.
Want the short version to keep on file? Download the printable backup and recovery guide.
Which backup method protects a business from ransomware?
Only a backup that attackers cannot reach or alter will survive a ransomware attack. Here is how common approaches compare.
| External drive or NAS only | Cloud sync (OneDrive, Google Drive) | Managed immutable backup (AMEA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survives ransomware | No: connected drives are encrypted with everything else | No: encrypted files sync to the cloud and overwrite good copies | Yes: immutable copies cannot be altered or deleted, even by an admin |
| Off-site copy | Only if someone physically takes the drive off site | Yes, but it is a mirror, not a backup | Yes, in a separate cloud location |
| Protects Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace data | No | No: sync is not a backup of mailboxes, Teams or SharePoint | Yes: dedicated SaaS backup of mail, files, Teams and SharePoint |
| Point-in-time recovery | Whatever the last copy was | Limited version history, typically 30 days | Daily or hourly restore points retained for months or years |
| Restore testing | Rarely | Never | Scheduled test restores with documented recovery times |
| Meets the 3-2-1 rule | No | No | Yes: three copies, two media types, one off-site |
What makes AMEA's backups different?
AMEA's backups are immutable, off-site, monitored daily and test-restored on a schedule, with documented recovery times. That combination is what makes them survive ransomware rather than only hardware failure.
Can backups survive ransomware?
Yes, AMEA backups are immutable copies that ransomware cannot encrypt or delete.
How fast is recovery?
Recovery time is set by an agreed recovery time objective; AMEA designs restore processes that get you back up quickly when every minute counts.
Are backups tested?
Yes, every backup is test-restored on a schedule, because a backup that has never been tested is not really a backup.
Do backups meet compliance requirements?
Yes, retention is configured to meet POPIA and industry requirements, so you can prove your data protection to auditors and regulators.
What does AMEA back up?
AMEA backs up servers, workstations, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace (mail, files, Teams and SharePoint), databases and business applications, with retention set to your compliance requirements.
What is backed up on servers and workstations?
- Full system images
- Application data
- Operating system state
- Database backups
Which cloud services are backed up?
- Microsoft 365 data
- Google Workspace
- SharePoint & Teams
- OneDrive & Drive
Which business applications are backed up?
- ERP systems
- CRM databases
- Accounting software
- Custom applications
Backup & disaster recovery questions
Daily at a minimum, with critical systems protected continuously or hourly. We design backups around the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site or in the cloud.
An immutable backup is a copy that cannot be altered or deleted for a set period, even by an administrator account. Modern ransomware deliberately hunts for and encrypts backups first; immutability means there is always a clean copy left to restore from.
Yes, on a schedule. An untested backup is only a hope, not a plan. We run regular test restores and document recovery times so you know exactly how long a real recovery would take before you ever need one.
Could your business survive a data disaster?
Let's make sure you never have to find out the hard way