Question 1

If I use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, isn’t my data already backed up?

Accepted Answer

No. Microsoft and Google operate under a Shared Responsibility Model. They guarantee the infrastructure (the "plumbing"), but you are responsible for the data (the "water"). If a user accidentally deletes a folder or ransomware syncs encrypted files to the cloud, those changes are permanent. A professional backup provides an isolated, versioned copy of your cloud data that exists outside of that sync cycle.

Question 2

If my server gets hit with ransomware, won't the backup get encrypted too?

Accepted Answer

Only if your backup is "legacy." Modern hackers target backups first so you have no choice but to pay the ransom. At Stepfar, we utilize Immutable Storage. This means once the data is written to the backup zone, it is locked. It cannot be altered, deleted, or encrypted—even by someone with administrative access to your network. This is the definitive "last line of defense" for your reputation.

Question 3

If my server dies today, how many days will we be offline?

Accepted Answer

If you only have "file-based" backups, you could be down for 3 to 5 days while new hardware is shipped and data is downloaded. With Stepfar’s Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), we can "spin up" your entire server environment in the cloud. Your team can resume work in minutes while we fix the physical hardware in the background.

Question 4

What is the difference between RPO and RTO?

Accepted Answer

Recovery Point Objective (RPO): How much data you can afford to lose. If we back up every hour, your RPO is 60 minutes of work.

Recovery Time Objective (RTO): How long can you afford to be offline.

Lowering these numbers requires more sophisticated engineering, and we help you find the "sweet spot" that balances cost with your business's risk tolerance.

Question 5

Do you actually test the backups, or do we just hope they work?

Accepted Answer

A backup that hasn't been tested isn't a backup, it's a wish. We perform Automated Integrity Testing and regular manual restoration drills. We don't just check for a "Success" green light; we verify that the data is readable and that the applications actually launch. This is a core component of our Professional Security Audit.

Question 6

Where is my data physically stored?

Accepted Answer

We use Geographically Redundant Storage. Your data is encrypted locally, then sent to multiple Tier-4 secure data centers across the country. This ensures that even a regional disaster (like a massive power outage or earthquake) won't impact your ability to recover your information.

Question 7

My cyber insurance premium just doubled, will this help lower it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In 2026, insurance carriers are denying coverage or hiking premiums for businesses that cannot prove they have off-site, immutable backups and MFA-protected recovery consoles. We provide the encrypted audit trails and compliance reporting (HIPAA, SOC2, etc.) that insurers require to classify you as a "Low Risk" operation.

Question 8

We have people working from home nationwide. Are their laptops protected?

Accepted Answer

Standard server backups miss the data living on your remote team's laptops. Our Endpoint Backup solutions protect the data on every remote device, regardless of location. Whether they are in Seattle or working across the country, their local files are encrypted and backed up directly to our secure cloud.

Data Backup & Disaster Recovery Solutions

Ensure Your Data is Always Protected and Recoverable

Cybersecurity Strategy Overview

Why Businesses Need Data Protection & Disaster Recovery?

Stepfar’s Backup & Recovery Capabilities

Automated & Immutable Data Backups

Geo‑Redundant Backup Storage

Recovery Validation & Testing

Cloud & SaaS Data Protection

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

Start with a Penetration Test

Frequently asked questions