Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing a backup of data to a backup server for one or more applications on a virtual machine having a universally unique identifier (UUID). A backup application can be deployed within the virtual machine, residing on a guest operating system. The backup application can report a list of applications on the virtual machine to the backup server. The backup server can deploy any application-specific modules that may be needed to perform the backup, and a list of pre- and post-backup actions to take, per application. The backup server can trigger the pre- and/or post-backup actions. The virtual machine can inform the backup server that the pre- and/or post-backup actions have completed. Backups can be in accordance with one or more policies stored at the backup server and associated with the virtual machine UUID or associated with an account that the virtual machine, or its user, are associated with.