Most U.S. SMBs are not backing up data in the cloud with the support of an automated backup service, according to a new survey by Clutch, the research and marketing firm.

The survey is the 2nd annual iteration of Clutch’s Small Business Cloud Storage Survey, and includes nearly 300 SMBs that use cloud storage services. All businesses have two to 500 employees.

More than one-quarter (25 percent) of survey respondents said they began using their cloud storage services in the past year. Experts agree this trend will likely grow and continue.

Some 27 percent of SMBs said improved access to data is the primary benefit their organization has received from using a cloud-storage platform, ahead of improved security of data and as an easier method for sending/receiving large files, both at 22 percent. Only 15 percent of SMBs use a backup service to store their backups in the cloud.

Instead of an automated backup service, nearly seven in 10 SMBs use a provider such as Google Drive or Dropbox to back up files and data in the cloud, according to the survey.{ad}

“If you are the type of person who will remember to back up every file, every time – no matter what – then you don’t need an automated backup service,” said Riley Panko, marketing analyst with Clutch. “However, the fact of the matter is we’re all human; we make mistakes and we forget things, especially when the pressure of work builds up. An automated backup service takes out the question of user error, making sure that you never lose any valuable data that could impact your business.”

Backup services, such as Mozy and Carbonite, automate the transfer of files to the cloud to safeguard against user error and negligence, Clutch noted.

“The survey results in this report give clear insight into the considerations SMBs must keep in mind when selecting their cloud storage provider, from benefits to issues to cost,” Panko said. “The IT channel can assist SMBs by making sure that useful and (unbiased) information is clearly and frequently available for them when making decisions regarding cloud storage adoption.”