5 Best HIPAA Compliant Cloud Backup Solutions of 2026

With 94% of businesses operating through third-party cloud platforms and applications, having a robust, HIPAA-compliant cloud backup solution has become essential to any business sharing and storing PHI.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA as it is more commonly known, refers to the standards for protecting sensitive patient data in the United States, requiring businesses to provide certain data privacy and security provisions when handling protected health information (PHI). 

However, HIPAA is not the only regulation organizations must consider. Many healthcare providers, SaaS vendors, and cloud-based service organizations also operate internationally or process the data of EU residents, which brings them under the scope of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

One of GDPR’s most challenging requirements is the right to erase ( “Right to be Forgotten”) (Article 17). Under GDPR, individuals can request the deletion of their personal data when it is no longer necessary, consent is withdrawn, or the data has been processed unlawfully. 

This requirement introduces complex technical and legal challenges when personal data exists not only in production systems, but also inside immutable backup archives. 

With the continued growth and scale of modern cybersecurity attacks and increasing regulatory scrutiny, organizations must ensure that both HIPAA compliance and GDPR deletion obligations are addressed without compromising data integrity, auditability, or recovery readiness.

Data can now be stored across a variety of applications and servers that all share a level of risk of being compromised, putting you at constant risk of downtime and potentially devastating loss of private medical information.

What Is HIPAA Compliant Cloud Storage?

HIPAA-compliant cloud storage refers to cloud-based systems that are designed to store, process, and protect protected health information (PHI) in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule.

It must ensure that PHI remains confidential, secure, and accessible only to authorized users, while also being protected against data loss, unauthorized access, and cyber threats.

To be considered HIPAA compliant, a cloud storage or backup solution must support:

• Administrative safeguards, such as role-based access controls and security policies.
• Physical safeguards, including secure data center infrastructure.
• Technical safeguards, such as encryption, authentication mechanisms, and audit logging.

Importantly, HIPAA compliance is not automatic simply because data is stored in the cloud. Responsibility is shared between the healthcare organization and the cloud service provider. 

In most cases, this requires a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) that defines how PHI is handled, protected, and reported in the event of a breach.

What HIPAA-compliant, GDPR “Right to be Forgotten” Cloud backup Solutions must entail

Backups are designed to preserve historical data, which can create tension with GDPR erasure requirements. A compliant backup strategy must ensure that:

• Deleted personal data is not unintentionally restored from backups.
• Backup retention policies support lawful deletion timelines.
• Erased data can be logically excluded, expired, or suppressed during restores.
• Deletion actions are documented for audit and regulatory review.

Modern backup platforms must balance data immutability and recoverability with privacy-aware deletion controls to support both HIPAA and GDPR obligations.

So when it comes to making sure your Cloud backup solutions are HIPAA-compliant and GDPR-aware, you must ensure that:

1. Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest: Protecting PHI from interception or unauthorized access during storage and transmission
2. Access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access: Using role-based permissions and authentication to prevent unauthorized users from viewing or restoring sensitive data
3. Audit logs are maintained to track all data access and modifications: Providing a complete record of who accessed backup data, when, and what actions were taken, which is critical for compliance audits and forensic investigations
4. Disaster recovery plans are in place to ensure data availability: Ensuring PHI can be restored quickly and accurately following data loss events such as ransomware attacks, system failures, or accidental deletion.
5. “Right to be Forgotten” requests can be honored even when data exists in backup archives.
6. Deleted personal data is not reintroduced during recovery operations.
7. Backup retention policies align with GDPR data minimization principles.

Non-compliance with HIPAA or GDPR can result in severe penalties, so picking a reliable solution provider is crucial to not only protecting your PHI but also your business and reputation. 

You must choose a backup provider that supports healthcare security requirements and global privacy regulations.

Why GDPR Deletion Requests Are Complex in Backup Environments

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals have the “Right to Be Forgotten” (Article 17). This is the right to request deletion of their personal data when it is no longer needed, consent is withdrawn, or processing is unlawful.

While deleting data from production systems is typically straightforward, backups introduce a unique challenge. It becomes significantly more complex when that same data exists in backup archives.

• Backup systems are immutable by design.
• Data is often stored across multiple backup versions.
• Modifying backups can compromise data integrity, chain of custody, and disaster recovery readiness.

As a result, GDPR compliance does not mean blindly deleting a person’s data from backup archives. It requires a defensible, documented process. 

We will give you a procedure on how you should handle a GDPR deletion request (“Right to be Forgotten”) when the person’s data also exists inside backup archives.

What GDPR Regulators Expect When Data Exists in Backups

Regulatory guidance (including from the EDPB) generally recognizes that:

• Immediate deletion from backups is not always technically feasible.
• Organizations are allowed to retain personal data in backups temporarily, provided strict controls are in place.

However, organizations must demonstrate that:

• Deleted data is not restored to production.
• Backup access is strictly limited.
• Data will be permanently removed once the backup lifecycle expires.

This makes backup lifecycle management and access controls critical to GDPR compliance. Below is a procedure for handling GDPR deletion requests (“Right to Be Forgotten”) when personal data is stored in backup archives.

How GDPR-Compliant Organizations Should Handle Deletion Requests in Backups

Under GDPR guidance from supervisory authorities, organizations are not required to immediately delete personal data from backup archives if doing so would:

• Compromise system integrity.
• Undermine disaster recovery capabilities.
• Violate other legal obligations (such as HIPAA retention requirements).

Instead, GDPR-compliant handling follows a controlled, policy-driven approach:

1. Delete Data from Production Systems First

When a valid GDPR deletion request is received:

• Personal data must be removed from live production systems.
• Access must be revoked across applications and user directories.

2. Apply Logical Deletion Controls to Backup Archives

Instead of altering backup files:

• Flag the deleted user or record as “restricted from restoration”.
• Ensure backup systems prevent selective restoration of deleted identities.
• Limit backup access to authorized administrators only.
• Backup restores must exclude reintroducing deleted data.

This ensures personal data is inaccessible, even if technically present. Modern backup platforms support object-level restore controls to ensure erased data is not rehydrated during recovery.

3. Enforce Retention-Based Expiration/Permanent Deletion

Personal data inside backups should:

• Age out naturally according to defined retention policies.
• Be fully removed once the retention window expires.

This approach aligns with GDPR’s allowance for delayed deletion where immediate erasure is technically infeasible.

4. Document the Deletion Process

For compliance and audit purposes, organizations must:

• Maintain records of deletion requests.
• Log when data was removed from production.
• Demonstrate safeguards preventing restored access.

Top 5 HIPAA-Compliant, GDPR “Right to Be Forgotten” Cloud Backup Solutions: Comparison Table

Below we’ve listed our top 5 HIPAA and GDPR’s “Right to be Forgotten” compliant cloud backup solutions, based on the following:

1. Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient data
2. Protects against data loss due to hardware failure, human error, and/or cyberattacks
3. Facilitates quick recovery in case of a disaster.
4. Helping organizations honor GDPR “Right to be Forgotten” requests across production and backup environments.
5. Supports GDPR-aligned deletion workflows without compromising backup integrity.
6. Enables granular restore controls to prevent reintroduction of deleted personal data.
7. Helps maintain trust with patients by safeguarding their sensitive information
8. Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Let’s dive in.

Top 5 HIPAA Compliant, GDPR “Right to Be Forgotten” Cloud Backup Solutions

1. SpinBackup from Spin.AI (Recommended)

SpinBackup is Google-recommended. It is notable for its speed, accuracy, and customer support. 

SpinBackup’s object-level restore controls and audit logging capabilities make it particularly well-suited for organizations managing overlapping HIPAA and GDPR obligations, including scenarios involving GDPR “Right to be Forgotten” requests where deleted data must not be reintroduced from backup archives.

Key Features:

• Strong encryption for data in transit and at rest
• Most granular access controls available
• Comprehensive audit logs
• Automated disaster recovery
• 1 daily automated backups
• Available for Google Workspace™, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Slack.
• Granular restore logic that helps prevent deleted personal data from being reintroduced during recovery.

Pricing

• Varies based on storage and features
• Free trial available

How to Buy

Available through Spin.AI’s website and authorized resellers

Request a Demo Here 

Pros

• Google Recommended
• 24/7 Customer Support, with a 2-hour response window
• Regional backup options

Cons

• Limited to SaaS data 

2. Spanning

Spanning offers robust solutions with a focus on ease of use of its strong security features. Spanning’s backups include audit logging and retention policies that can support GDPR deletion requests. 

While data cannot always be immediately removed from archives, deleted data is logically excluded from future restores.

Key Features:

• End-to-end encryption
• Detailed access controls
• Purpose-built for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace™, and Salesforce
• Real-time audit logs
• Automated backup and recovery.
• Supports retention controls that help organizations manage long-term data storage in alignment with privacy requirements.

Pricing

• Pricing varies depending on the platform and number of users. Typically, it starts at around $48 per user per year
• Custom pricing is available for large enterprises and educational institutions
• Free Trial Available

How to Buy

Available through Spanning’s website and authorized partners

Pros

• Reliable and automated backup process
• Quick and easy data recovery
• Good customer support

Cons

• Pricing can be high
• Trouble assigning licensing
• Limited to Google Workspace™, Microsoft 365, and Salesforce

3. SysCloud

SysCloud provides a comprehensive solution with excellent scalability options. SysCloud’s retention management and restore policies allow organizations to align backup processes with GDPR “Right to be Forgotten” obligations, ensuring deleted personal data is not unintentionally restored while maintaining HIPAA-required records.

Key Features:

• Secure encryption methods
• Robust access control mechanisms
• Detailed audit trails
• Comprehensive disaster recovery options 
• Designed for K-12 schools and nonprofits.
• Offers auditability and reporting features that help demonstrate compliance with deletion and retention policies.

Pricing

Varies based on the plan and storage requirements

How to Buy

Available through SysCloud’s website and selected resellers

Pros

• Strong focus on security and compliance
• Comprehensive scaling options
• Includes QuickBooks and HubSpot among protected apps
• Real-time monitoring and alerts
• Extensive reporting capabilities

Cons

• Higher cost for additional features
• May have a learning curve for new users

4. Backupify

Backupify offers a reliable solution with strong compliance features and easy management. Backupify’s system supports logical deletion in backups through retention management and granular restores, allowing organizations to honor GDPR deletion requests without compromising backup integrity.

Key Features:

• Backup solutions for Google Workspace™ and Microsoft 365
• Automated, continuous backups with customizable retention policies
• Secure data storage with encryption
• Extensive audit logs
• Granular access controls.
• Retention configuration helps organizations manage personal data lifecycle obligations.

Pricing

Varies based on user and storage needs

How to Buy

Available through Backupify’s website and authorized distributors

Pros

• Easy to manage
• Set-it and forget-it functionality
• Common mid-market solution
• Competitive Pricing

Cons

• Limited to Google Workspace™ and Microsoft 365 environments

5. Veeam

Veeam offers users advanced features and flexibility, though it may be more suited for tech-savvy users.

Veeam’s granular backup and object-level restore capabilities allow organizations to exclude deleted personal data from recovery, helping meet GDPR requirements while supporting HIPAA retention obligations.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solutions 
• High-speed recovery and data loss avoidance
• Ability to choose storage options, On-Prem or BYOS.
• Advanced monitoring, analytics, and automation tools
• Secure zero-trust data protection with encryption and ransomware protection.
• Suitable for organizations that require deep control over backup data handling and deletion workflows.

Pricing

Varies based on the number of users and storage capacity

How to Buy

Available through Veeam’s website and certified partners

Pros

• Extensive feature set for various environments
• Excellent support and documentation
• On-prem backups available
• High-performance backup and recovery
• Strong community and customer support network

Cons

• Pricing can be complex and potentially high for smaller businesses
• Requires technical expertise to fully leverage all features
• Difficult integration process
• On-Prem or BYOS

GDPR, HIPAA, and Backup Compliance Can Coexist: Avoiding Compliance Conflicts

For organizations operating under both HIPAA and GDPR, backup compliance must satisfy both regimes simultaneously:

• HIPAA requires data availability and integrity.
• GDPR requires data minimization and controlled erasure.

The key is not manual deletion of backups, but controlled inaccessibility, strong governance, and lifecycle-based removal.

A properly designed cloud backup solution allows organizations to:

• Remain HIPAA-compliant without weakening disaster recovery.
• Honor GDPR “Right to Be Forgotten” requests without corrupting backups.
• Maintain defensible audit trails for both regulators and internal reviews.

How to Choose the Right Option for You

When choosing a HIPAA-compliant cloud backup solution, make sure you consider the following factors:

1. Security Features: Ensure the solution offers robust encryption, access controls, and audit logging.
2. GDPR Compliance and “Right to Be Forgotten” Handling: Confirm that the solution allows deleted personal data to be logically excluded from restores, and that retention policies can enforce deletion timelines in accordance with GDPR while maintaining HIPAA obligations.
3. Ease of Use: Consider your team’s technical expertise and choose a solution that aligns with their skills.
4. Scalability: Select a solution that can grow with your organization.
5. Cost: Balance the features offered with your budget constraints.
6. Support: Look for providers offering reliable customer support to assist with any issues.

Conclusion

Protecting patient data is a critical responsibility for healthcare providers. By choosing a HIPAA-compliant cloud backup solution, you can ensure that your patients’ sensitive information is secure, your practice is protected from data loss, and you’re meeting all necessary regulatory requirements.

Organizations operating internationally or processing EU residents’ data must also consider GDPR obligations, particularly the Right to be Forgotten. 

Selecting a backup solution with granular restore controls, retention policy management, and detailed audit logging ensures compliance with both HIPAA and GDPR, without compromising recovery capabilities. 

While all five solutions we’ve discussed offer robust features and reliable support, the right solution for your organization will depend on your specific needs, technical capabilities, and budget. 

Take the time to evaluate each option carefully, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the providers for demos or trials before making your final decision. 

By investing in a quality HIPAA-compliant cloud backup solution, you’re not just protecting data – you’re safeguarding your patients’ trust and your practice’s future. 

Evaluating how each platform handles data deletion within backup archives is now just as important as recovery speed and security.

Request SpinBackup Demo Here

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