Source code security – do we need to backup Bitbucket or GitHub?

Data loss costs millions of dollars, and the cost depends on the value of the data itself. Loss of source code and intellectual property of some code-oriented companies might cause collapse and bankruptcy. While businesses of all kinds are increasingly defined by their software, protecting code is synonymous with protecting the company itself.

GitProtect.io, the Git repository backup software vendor paraphrases the well-known words in the industry that there are two types of people: those who do repository backups and those who will (once they experience a data breach or cyber-attack). So for those who do and will, the GitProtect.io backup is already available on Atlassian and GitHub Marketplaces.

Market potential

GitHub claims to have over 56 million registered developers, including 72% of Fortune 50 companies. It makes it “the largest source code” globally. GitLab estimates its users for more than 30 million while Atlassian’s Bitbucket reached 10 million business users.

Those are places where development teams spend thousands of hours (and money) to write, support, host, and improve projects. Can you imagine how much it would cost tech companies to lose access to such crucial data? Is it even possible?

Ups, something went wrong – do you need Bitbucket backup?

Source code, even if hosted within such reliable hosting services as Bitbucket, GitHub, or GitLab, might get unavailable or lost. While those services are considered accessible and proven, no service provider can ensure customers with 100% availability. For example, in June 2020 GitHub experienced a major outage that lasted for hours and impacted millions of developers. In 2017 a huge outage happened to GitLab.com and made its services unavailable for many hours. Moreover, the company lost some production data that was unable to recover.

Ransomware does not bypass those companies as well. In 2019 tech media reported that attackers were targeting Bitbucket, GitHub, and GitLab accounts, wiping code and commits from many repositories leaving behind only a mysterious ransom note.

Finally, we have to mention the nightmare of every IT administrator and cybersecurity professional – human errors. Branch or old repository deletion, head overwrite synchronization problems, or some intentional malicious behavior – that’s just some of the developers’ mistakes that can put source code in danger or wipe it out irreversibly.

Source code protection today

So, how do companies handle repository backup today? Generally: they don’t. And if so, there are usually DIY methods based on git-clone commands and self-written scripts. Some businesses rely on snapshots of their local git instances. But those approaches have their limitations – high-long-term costs of script administration, no backup verification, no automation, and no restore guarantee which could potentially make backup useless in case of any event of failure.

GitProtect.io – the next-gen Bitbucket and GitHub backup

GitProtect.io is professional, fully manageable GitHub and Bitbucket backup software for any responsible and code-oriented business. The software ensures customers with repository and metadata automatic and recurring backups, unlimited retention, repository archive possibilities, a data-driven central management console, easy monitoring, and most of all disaster recovery features. It’s compatible with nearly any storage (cloud and local) so there is no need to invest in an additional IT infrastructure – you can bring your own storage or use free GitProtect.io cloud storage included.

Behind the projects stands over 12 years of Xopero Software backup experience and partnership with such companies as ESET, T-Mobile, and Orange.

– Considering Intellectual Property value and Atlassian’s and GitHub emphasis on adequate data protection, we foresee that GitHub and Bitbucket backup, in the footsteps of Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or Salesforce, will become another, key data protection field considered as a part of every development process – says Lukasz Jesis, Founder and CEO of Xopero Software and GitProtect.io.

GitProtect.io is already available on GitHub Marketplace and Atlassian Marketplace. The company, as it itself relies on source code, wants to increase Git repository backup awareness among developers and make source code protection more available for everyone.

Xopero Software, founded in 2009, is a leading backup and recovery software vendor. The company cooperates with such enterprises as T-Mobile, Orange and since 2017 is a member of ESET Technology Alliance. Xopero Software has been selling in over 50 countries. Among references, customers are Subway, AVIS, Supreme Court of Justice in Nicaragua, Ministry of Education in Guatemala, Diebold-Nixdorf.