A system and method for an index-based smart scan for a cloud-computing provider network is provided. The system includes a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein and a snapshot repository configured to store a plurality of snapshots of a plurality of block storage volumes. Each of the plurality of block storage volumes is configured to perform volume based block storage operations for the cloud-computing provider network. The system further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the snapshot repository. The processor is configured to access contents of each of the plurality of snapshots. Each of the plurality of snapshots includes a point-in-time capture of the respective block storage volume. In addition, the processor is configured to perform a full scan of each of the plurality of snapshots to identify one or more files of the respective block storage volume. The processor is further configured to generate a folder index table for each of the files based upon the scan. The folder index table includes a listing of the file path and an associated modification time for each of the files. Furthermore, the processor is configured to update the folder index table over a pre-determined period of time and locate a file in the plurality of block storage volumes based on the folder index table.