A method and apparatus are provided for embedding cloud demands with shared protection in a software-defined flexible-grid optical transport network. The method includes mapping working virtual nodes of the cloud demands over physical nodes of the network. The method further includes mapping backup virtual nodes of the cloud demands over the physical nodes. The method also includes mapping working virtual links of the cloud demands over physical routes of the network. The method additionally includes mapping backup virtual links of the cloud demands over the physical routes. The mapping steps are performed by an optical-defined controller having a processor.