Techniques described herein relate to a method for performing data protection of file system data on a host. The method includes obtaining a data access request for a file corresponding to a placeholder file from an application during a backup access session; obtaining, in response to the data access request, file system data associated with the file from a backup storage using backup metadata associated with the placeholder file; providing the file system data associated with the file to the application; making, after the providing, a determination that the file is modified by the application; and in response to the determination: flagging the placeholder file.