In 2014, the cloud-based research platform Dedoose suffered a catastrophic crash, losing customer data and backups simultaneously. We examine the causes of the Dedoose crash, its impact on users, and crucial lessons for anyone relying on SaaS. Learn how subpar backup practices, like monthly-only backups and overwriting previous versions, can lead to disaster. Hear how Dedoose responded and key steps to prevent your own cloud data calamity.

Links from this episode:

https://www.informationweek.com/it-infrastructure/social-science-site-using-azure-loses-data#close-modal

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2014/05/16/dedoose-crash-shows-dangers-handing-data-cloud-services

https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-dedoose-crash-academic-cloud-20140512-story.html

https://www.chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/hazards-of-the-cloud-data-storage-services-crash-sets-back-researchers

https://web.archive.org/web/20230927112141/https://www.dedoose.com/blog/dedoose-update-significant-data-recovery-successful-how-to-save-a-project-locally

https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214308/http://blog.dedoose.com/2014/05/dedooses-black-eye-crash-and-recovery-efforts/

https://www.dedoose.com/about/security