A cloud-based system for securely storing data, the system having a processor which obtains a source data file; splits it into at least three fragments; and uses an encryption key associated with the fragments to encrypt the fragments and distributes the encrypted fragments among at least three cloud storage providers, creates a pointer file containing information for retrieving the encrypted fragments. When a system user requests access to the data, the system uses the information stored in the pointer file to retrieve the stored encrypted fragments from the plurality of clouds; decrypts the fragments and reconstructs the data, and provides data access to the system user.