Five Backup and Recovery Trends for 2017

If 2016 taught us anything, it’s that data backup and disaster recovery has never been more critical. Ransomware becoming a bigger and bigger threat. Businesses must properly preserve their data, and the need is nothing but academic.

As we transition into 2017, that need is going to remain just as important – if not more. Not only will cyber threats remain a constant challenge, but the volumes of data that need to be safeguarded will continue to pile up. This is thanks to developments such as the Internet of Things, big data and data analytics.

MSPs should work with clients to ensure all their business continuity needs are met, and this includes data backup and recovery. As you well know, a catastrophic data loss could force a client out of business. And that’s something you can help them avoid. To help clients with their business continuity plans, MSPs should keep in mind these five data backup and recovery trends:

Cloud-based BDR solutions are nothing new, but they are becoming more popular as data volumes grow. This forces businesses to seek out affordable, scalable solutions. Sweetening the pot, cloud-based solutions are becoming more intelligent. Data analytics methods can now determine precisely which data is mission-critical, as opposed to disposable data, and prioritize recovery.

Cybersecurity threats have become more varied and numerous. Clients need multilayered security defenses, and those includes a reliable cloud-based data backup and recovery solution to restore any data lost in a cyber-attack. Frequent, automated backups and redundancy are key in providing businesses with the best protection possible.

Internet of Things (IoT) installations will generate ever-growing volumes of data. Companies will need to decide how much and which types of IoT-related data should be backed up in the cloud for safekeeping. IoT data analysis promises to significantly improve business operations and customer outcomes. Backup systems operating in concert with analytics applications to prioritize data backups will make sure that the right data is readily available whenever needed.

Cloud computing has spawned various service-based models that turn IT from something a business manages to something it consumes. DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service) brings that approach to data backup and business continuity. It enables providers to not only remotely manage and host the BDR solution, but also to build consulting services around the technology to help clients recover from data losses.

Regardless of the risks, too many companies still play fast and loose with data backup and recovery. This is especially prevalent in the SMB space, where 53% of companies don’t back up daily. MSPs will continue to struggle to get some clients to understand the risks of failing to properly back up data and implementing a business continuity plan. Still, you must continue highlighting the dangers and ow clients use cases in which businesses suffer major data losses.

Remind clients that backup and recovery is a form of insurance. It could well be the only thing that saves them from losing their business should they ever suffer a catastrophic data loss. That’s been the case for years, and it won’t change in 2017.

Marvin Blough is StorageCraft’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales, where his focus is on expanding the company’s global reach by establishing channel partnerships that enhance  profitability for the channel partner.

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