An apparatus comprises at least one processing device configured to identify a protection operation to be performed for a virtual storage volume, the virtual storage volume comprising two or more storage volumes on two or more storage systems, a first one of the storage volumes on a first one of the storage systems comprising data that is mirrored on a second one of the storage volumes on a second one of the storage systems different than the first storage system. The processing device is also configured to monitor parameters characterizing operation of the storage systems, to generate a recommendation of a given one of the first and second storage volumes to back up to a third storage volume based on the monitored parameters characterizing operation of the storage systems, and to perform the protection operation for the virtual storage volume based on the generated recommendation.