Abstract: A system and method for performing a data backup with a stochastic scheduler in a distributed computing environment are described. A data set on a client is tracked. The data set is to be maintained with a backup data set on a centralized server within the distributed computing environment. A time period during which to initiate a data backup session for the tracked data set is selected. An instance of a backup session application on the client is periodically executed. The client attempts to initiate a connection with the centralized server beginning at a random start time during the selected time period. The client regularly reattempts the connection initiation following each failed connection initiation attempt. The tracked data set is selectively copied into the backup data set upon a successful connection initiation. Upon each successful data backup session for the tracked data set, a new random start time within the selected time slice for a next data backup session is generated.