Despite common thought, Google Vault is not a backup solution.
Backup: A backup solution is meant to protect the data that’s currently in use at an organization by continuously taking second copies and securing them.
Archive: An archive is used for keeping your historical data aside in an organized way for future reference. This becomes helpful when you have to search for a specific piece of data, which is decades old.
Backup
For example, backup solution platforms like SysCloud take a scheduled backup of all the Google Workspace apps and data is available for instant restore.
Archive
For example, Google Vault is an archiving and eDiscovery tool that retains data for as long as necessary. It is not meant to recover data as a backup solution does.
1. Retain organizational data for as long as necessary,
2. Search for some specific data in case of inquiries, and
3. Export the search results for further review.
Note:Advanced search option includes searching within account(s), emails sent on a specific date range, and searching for emails with attachments, to name a few.
Note: Emails will be downloaded in either PST format or MBOX format. You will need an email client like Outlook to view them.
To know about creating holds and matters, setting retention rules, and generating reports in Google Vault, check outGoogle Vault: The Ultimate Guide for IT Administrators 2019.
A backup solution likeSysCloudlets you do two major things:
Note:You can do both backup and restore in a total of 6 clicks.
Here is how you restore your entire email account with SysCloud.
So how do you restore the specific file that you lost without restoring all the contents in the Drive?
To know more about Backup, Check out our in-depth article onGmail BackupandGoogle Drive Backup.
Note:SysCloud provides basic search functionality that will address the eDiscovery needs of a small business.
Q: Is Google Vault a backup?
A: No. It is an archiving and eDiscovery solution. Click Here to know more about Google Vault
Q: How much does Google Vault cost?
A: Google Vault comes as an add-on for Google Workspace Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. A Google Workspace Business plan costs $10 per user/per month, whereas the Enterprise plan costs $25 per user/per month. The Education plan is free.
Q: Does Google Vault backup Google Drive?
Q: Does Google Vault back up Calendar?
A: Google Vault does not back up anything. Google Vault archives Gmail, Drive, Hangouts, Chat, and Groups but not Calendar or Contact.
Q: How long is data kept in Google Vault?
A: The data can be stored in Google Vault based on different retention policies the organizations set for Vault. In case of accidental deletion, administrators can recover the data within 30 days for active users and within 20 days if the user is deleted.
Q: Can I back up user data to Google Vault before deleting a user?
A: No. Once an admin deletes a user, Google removes all the data associated with that user.
Q: Does Google Vault archive the data of former employees?
A: It depends. Google Vault archives the data of suspended users and not deleted users. Google Workspace admins can suspend the user, but suspended users will be billed as active users.
Q: Is Google Vault a backup solution if set for a long period?
A: Google Vault is an archiving solution used to retain historical data for a long period. It can never replace a backup solution.