Combine On-Prem NAS and Cloud Backup for Data Safety
Building Maximum Data Protection with NAS and Cloud Backups
Modern businesses can no longer rely on a single backup location. Hardware failures, ransomware, accidental deletions, and regional outages have made it clear that layered backup strategies are essential. One of the most effective approaches is combining an on-premises NAS with cloud backup, often referred to as a hybrid backup model.
This article explains how to combine on-prem NAS and cloud backup correctly, why the approach works so well, and how businesses can design a strategy that delivers both speed and long-term protection.
Why a Single Backup Location Is No Longer Enough
Traditional on-prem backups offer speed and control, but they are vulnerable to:
Local disasters (fire, flood, theft)
Ransomware is spreading inside the network.
Hardware failure or power issues
Cloud backups solve some of these problems but introduce others, such as slower recovery times and dependency on internet connectivity.
A hybrid approach combines the strengths of both while minimizing their weaknesses.
What a Hybrid NAS + Cloud Backup Strategy Looks Like
In a hybrid model:
Primary data lives on an on-prem NAS.
Local backups provide fast recovery for everyday incidents.
Cloud backups protect against site-wide or catastrophic events
This structure aligns closely with the 3-2-1 backup rule:
3 copies of data, on 2 different media types, with 1 copy off-site.
Benefits of Combining On-Prem NAS and Cloud Backup
1. Faster Recovery Times
Local NAS backups allow near-instant recovery of files, virtual machines, or applications without waiting for large cloud downloads.
2. Protection from Ransomware
Even if ransomware encrypts local systems, cloud backups stored with immutability or versioning can remain untouched.
3. Geographic Redundancy
Cloud backups protect data even if the physical site is unavailable due to a disaster or outage.
4. Better Cost Control
Frequently accessed restores come from local storage, while the cloud is reserved for long-term retention and disaster recovery.
How to Architect a Reliable Hybrid Backup Setup
Step 1: Define Recovery Objectives
Determine:
Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
Recovery Point Objective (RPO)
These metrics guide how frequently backups run and where data should be restored from first.
Step 2: Use the NAS as the Primary Backup Hub
Your NAS should:
Receive backups from servers, PCs, and SaaS platforms.
Maintain versioned snapshots
Handle local restores quickly.
This ensures minimal downtime for common incidents.
Step 3: Replicate NAS Backups to the Cloud
The NAS should then replicate backup data to the cloud using:
Encrypted transfers
Scheduled or continuous replication
Retention policies are independent of local storage
This adds a secure, off-site safety net.
Step 4: Test Both Local and Cloud Restores
Backups are only useful if they restore correctly.
Test local restores for speed and integrity.
Test cloud restores for disaster scenarios
Regular testing ensures confidence when incidents occur.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Relying solely on cloud sync instead of true backups
Keeping cloud backups online without immutability
Ignoring bandwidth and storage growth planning
Failing to document recovery workflows
Hybrid backups require planning, not just enabling features.
Synology’s Role in Hybrid Backup Strategies
Synology enables hybrid backup strategies by combining on-prem NAS performance with integrated cloud services. Through its backup applications, snapshot technology, and cloud replication tools, Synology allows businesses to manage local and off-site backups from a single platform. This unified approach simplifies administration while ensuring data is protected across multiple layers without relying entirely on third-party tools.
Security Considerations in Hybrid Backup Design
To maximize protection:
Encrypt data at rest and in transit
Use separate credentials for cloud backups.
Enable immutability or object-lock where available.
Restrict backup deletion permissions.
Security misconfigurations can undermine even the best backup architecture.
How Epis Technology Designs Hybrid Backup Solutions
Designing a reliable hybrid backup environment requires balancing performance, cost, and security. Epis Technology helps organizations architect and deploy on-prem NAS and cloud backup solutions tailored to their recovery objectives. The team evaluates data growth, compliance requirements, and operational workflows to ensure backups are fast, secure, and recoverable. Epis Technology also implements monitoring, testing routines, and long-term retention strategies, turning hybrid backups into a dependable business continuity system.
Combining on-prem NAS with cloud backup is no longer optional for businesses that value resilience. The hybrid approach delivers fast local recovery, strong ransomware protection, and off-site disaster coverage, all while maintaining control over costs and performance.
With the right architecture, supported by Synology’s backup capabilities and expert deployment from Epis Technology, organizations can achieve maximum data protection without unnecessary complexity.
About Epis Technology
Epis Technology provides enterprise IT infrastructure, data protection, and Synology consulting services. The company specializes in hybrid backup design, cloud-integrated NAS deployments, Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace backups, fully managed PC backups, and business continuity planning. Epis Technology helps organizations protect, manage, and recover critical data with confidence.