Embodiments relate to systems and methods for de-populating a cloud data store. In one method, an identification of a set of cloud-populated data to be transported from a set of host storage clouds to at least one target data store is received. The method identifies a data transport pathway from the set of host storage clouds to the at least one target data store, the data transport pathway including a dedicated reverse staging connection between the set of host storage clouds and the at least one target data store. The method initiates the transport of the set of cloud-populated data to the at least one target data store in view of a set of de-population commands.