AWS Backup for Amazon EKS
AWS Backup for Amazon EKS is a managed service for centralizing and automating data protection across AWS services and hybrid workloads.
What AWS Backup for Amazon EKS is
AWS Backup for Amazon EKS is a managed service for centralizing and automating data protection across AWS services and hybrid workloads. An EKS backup combines cluster state with supported persistent-volume backups into one composite recovery point. It can cover EBS, S3, and EFS storage attached through supported EKS add-on CSI drivers. Restores can target a full cluster, up to five namespaces, or individual persistent storage; a cluster restore can use an existing or newly created cluster. Backups can be copied within or across accounts and Regions, including opt-in Regions. No cluster agent or add-on is required, but the cluster must use API or API_AND_CONFIG_MAP authorization. AWS Backup encrypts data in transit and at rest with AWS KMS keys, and offers Vault Lock, logically air-gapped vaults, malware scanning, and Audit Manager reporting. It also provides CloudWatch job metrics and integrates with CloudTrail and SNS. The paid, usage-based service has no listed price; EKS fees include per-namespace creation charges and charges for cluster-state storage and restores.
Good
- Restores full clusters, up to five namespaces, or individual storage.
- Supports EBS, S3, and EFS through supported CSI drivers.
- Offers cross-account and cross-Region backup copies.
- Provides immutable backups through Vault Lock.
- Includes CloudWatch metrics and CloudTrail and SNS integrations.
Watch out
- Paid service with no free plan or listed price.
- Does not back up external-repository container images, VPCs, or subnets.
- Does not support FSx via CSI or EKS on Outposts.
- S3 backups are snapshots only; mounted prefixes are unsupported.
Who it suits
It suits teams seeking centralized, scheduled EKS backups for cloud-native or hybrid data protection, with custom retention and compliance controls. It can also serve organizations that need persistent-volume protection or cross-cluster restores.
Verdict
AWS Backup for Amazon EKS combines cluster-state and supported persistent-storage protection with several restore scopes and copy options. Check its storage exclusions, cluster authorization requirement, and usage-based charges against your EKS setup.
Plans and prices
From AWS Backup for Amazon EKS's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Pay as you go | — | EKS cluster backup creation fee is charged once per namespace backed up · EKS cluster-state backup storage and restores incur charges · Attached EBS, S3, and EFS storage use standard Backup storage and restore charges · Usage-based; no minimum fee or setup charges |
The facts
Each one read from AWS Backup for Amazon EKS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Money
- Agent-free
- AWS Backup does not require an agent or add-on on the EKS cluster; the cluster authorization mode must be API or API_AND_CONFIG_MAP.checked 30 Sep 2026
What it does
- Copies
- EKS backups support same-account and same-Region copies, cross-account copies, cross-Region copies, and copies to opt-in Regions.checked 30 Sep 2026
- EKS coverage
- An EKS backup groups cluster state and supported persistent volume backups into a composite recovery point.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Encryption
- AWS Backup encrypts backup data at rest and in transit using AWS KMS keys, and EKS child recovery points use the key configured for the target backup vault.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Monitoring integrations
- AWS Backup includes a CloudWatch dashboard for backup, copy, and restore job metrics and integrates with CloudTrail and Amazon SNS for activity logs and notifications.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Not included
- EKS backups do not include container images from external repositories or cluster infrastructure such as VPCs and subnets.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- AWS Backup is a fully managed service that centralizes and automates data protection across AWS services and hybrid workloads.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Restore options
- You can restore a full EKS cluster, up to five namespaces, or individual persistent storage, with cluster restores targeting an existing or newly created cluster.checked 30 Sep 2026
- S3 limitation
- S3 bucket backups within an EKS cluster backup support snapshot backups only, and specific S3 prefixes attached to CSI driver mount points are unsupported.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security and compliance
- AWS Backup offers Vault Lock for immutable backups, logically air-gapped vaults, malware scanning, and Audit Manager compliance reporting.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Storage limitation
- EKS backup does not support Amazon FSx via CSI driver, EKS on AWS Outposts, or cross-account backups of EFS through EKS Backups.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Storage supported
- EKS backups can include persistent storage on EBS, S3, and EFS when attached through supported EKS add-on CSI drivers.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Who it is for
- AWS describes AWS Backup use cases including cloud-native backup, hybrid data protection, centralized data protection policies, and data protection compliance.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2006checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Seattle, Washington, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
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