Backup and DR: Application-consistent backups and cross-region support for Compute Engine

You can now configure application-consistent backups for Compute Engine instances directly through the Google Cloud Console. This enhancement allows you to enable Guest Flush or VSS options within Backup Plans, ensuring data integrity for applications running on Linux or Windows VMs during the backup process. The Back up Compute Engine instances documentation has been updated with instructions on how to create and modify backup plans to use this feature.

Announcing the general availability (GA) of cross-region backups for Backup and DR Service. Customers can now protect Compute Engine instances, Compute Engine disks, and Filestore instances against regional outages by storing backups in a distinct secondary region of their choice. This functionality enhances disaster recovery capabilities, provides a cost-effective way to ensure regional resilience, and helps maintain strict control over data residency. To learn more, see Backup vaults for immutable and indelible backups .