permissions for backup

[pstanbra]

I'm a bit of a linux beginner but after reading lots of how to's , i've almost managed to get my remote server backing up locally over a secure SSH tunnel using a non-root user.
*Important* (i don't want to use a root account)

However , once the local server SSH's into the remote server, the backup scripts cannot access many of the areas to backup as they are owned by different groups set by ISPCP such as mail.
(so obviously I get permission denied)

SO -rather than SSH in as root and have no issue (but risky)
I need to look at ipscp permissions.

I note that the /var/mail folder is owned by root.
I can access as far as /var/mail/virtual but cannot access any domain structure as the file permissions then change to drwx------ (only the owner has access)

I have done a chmod on a test domain and set this to 750 and I can get access to this folder now using a non root account.
I added my logon account to the mail group.

Trouble is here - I can get into the folder, but the permissions then change the next level down

drwxr-xr-x for abuse, postmaster and webmaster
and then the next level down, return to
drwxr------ (vur, new, tmp)
so If I chmodded 750 recursively, I suspect I'll mess things up!



so my questions are as follows....

1. Are there any apparent security risks.
2. How do i get ispCP to create new domains with different folder permissions so the /var/mail folders are backed up and i dont get permission denied.