In the fast-paced era of technology, safeguarding enterprise data has become an increasingly pressing concern. With the ever-looming threat of cyber attacks, ransomware, and other disruptive events, the need for robust backup and recovery systems has never been more paramount.

In this blog, we will explore key trends and insights by Gartner®, for effective backup and recovery mechanisms. We will also discuss the cutting-edge Cloud solutions of ATSG, for resilient backup and recovery capabilities.

Key Gartner® Insights for 2024

Here are some key trends expected to reshape the backup and recovery of enterprise data:

1. Fortified Security Measures

Modern backup and recovery solutions stand fortified with advanced security capabilities, adept at proactively detecting and identifying cyber threats, thereby mitigating the impact of cyber assaults.

2. Holistic Data Protection

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) now offer protection mechanisms across applications, encompassing SaaS, Database as a Service (DBaaS), and cloud-native applications, while ensuring the seamless propagation of data protection policies across on-premise and cloud environments.

3. Operational Streamlining

The advent of Backup as a Service (BaaS) and the incorporation of generative AI (GenAI) capabilities presents a new era of operational efficiency, promising simplified experiences for both end users and administrators alike, fostering an ecosystem of streamlined backup environments.

Gartner® Backup and Recovery Trends 2024

Here are some major 2024 trends for securing data, protecting applications, operations, and infrastructure:

Safeguarding Cloud Native Infrastructures

By 2028, the majority of enterprises will opt for a unified solution to safeguard data across on-premise and cloud infrastructures, marking a significant leap as compared to 2024.

Modernization efforts are fueled by the imperative to secure data in cloud-native applications, within Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS) environments. Securing both data and infrastructural configuration are vital for effective recovery strategies.

While this may initially require distinct backup solutions, the trend is towards comprehensive, on-premise backup vendors expanding their capabilities to cover the entire cloud infrastructure.

Preserving SaaS Application Data

The prioritization of SaaS application backup is set to surge, with an estimated 75% of enterprises deeming it a critical requirement by 2028. Third-party solutions emerge to complement or surpass native SaaS application capabilities, offering streamlined administration, centralized protection, and enhanced recovery capabilities.

However, confusion persists regarding the responsibility of native SaaS vendors to protect data versus user-managed backup. Despite the growing availability of SaaS application backup solutions, customer confusion and limited API-based access for third-party backup hinders adoption.

Cyber Protection and Recovery Enhancement

By 2028, a staggering 90% of enterprise backup and recovery products will integrate embedded technology to detect and identify cyberthreats, a remarkable increase from the 45%, expected by the end of 2024.

Ransomware attacks pose significant recovery challenges, with organizations grappling with prolonged recovery times and complex decision-making processes.

The sheer frequency of ransomware attacks underscores the urgency for enhanced cyber protection and recovery solutions. Regulatory compliance requirements necessitate stringent responses, emphasizing rapid recovery of critical systems. Automation and cloud recovery resources emerge as indispensable tools for expeditious restoration.

Simplified Operations via BaaS and SaaS

Backup as a Service (BaaS) adoption is on the rise, with a projected 75% of large enterprises embracing it by 2028, compared to a mere 15% in 2024. BaaS solutions streamline backup operations, alleviating management burdens, while offering additional services such as security scanning and disaster recovery (DR).

While initially focused on SaaS application backup, BaaS solutions now encompass IaaS, PaaS, and on-premise workloads, reducing the need for multiple backup products. BaaS integration enhances operational efficiency and reduces administrative overhead. Organizations must scrutinize vendor capabilities and contractual agreements to ensure alignment with business needs and future scalability.

Streamlining Operations with Generative AI

By 2028, 75% of enterprise backup and recovery products will integrate generative AI (GenAI) to enhance management and support operations, a stark contrast to the less than 5% in 2024. GenAI aids in simplifying backup operations, supporting diverse workload demands, and providing insightful data analytics.

GenAI adoption is propelled by the need for advanced functions, including cyber threat remediation and workload protection across diverse cloud services. It offers strong potential for reducing maintenance overheads and enhancing operational efficiency. Organizations must assess the GenAI capabilities of shortlisted vendors, to ensure effective implementation and ethical use.

Key Recommendations for Enterprises

Incorporating the strategic planning assumptions and insights of Gartner®, enterprises should adopt the following course of action:

1. Elevate the Cybersecurity Posture

Beyond mere recovery, modern backup solutions should proactively identify cyber threats within backup data and delineate optimal restoration points, curtailing recovery time and fortifying cyber defenses.

2. Consolidate Your Backup Infrastructure

Go for data protection solutions that offer extensive support across a spectrum of enterprise applications, spanning on-premise, public cloud, and SaaS landscapes, thereby consolidating backup applications to streamline operational workflows.

3. Embrace the “as-a-Service” Paradigm

Simplify the backup and recovery landscape by embracing BaaS or SaaS based management solutions, alleviating operational burden and fostering agility in an ever-evolving digital terrain.

ATSG’s Resilient Cloud Backup Solutions

As a leading global provider of Managed IT Services and Intelligent Technology solutions, ATSG offers robust Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) capabilities. Our DRaaS is powered by a state of the art Equinix data center infrastructure, with a global service delivery model.

ATSG offers highly scalable, reliable and compliant data backup and recovery capabilities to organizations of all sizes, enhancing their overall operational resilience and regulatory compliance posture.

Conclusion

The key takeaway from Gartner® insights is that organizations need to consolidate their backup and recovery mechanisms, and focus on cloud powered Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) solutions.

Contact ATSG for fully Managed Cloud, Managed Operations, Managed Security and Managed Network solutions for your organization.