In recent research conducted by Zerto, it has become increasingly evident that companies are facing significant shortcomings in their disaster recovery and cyber recovery strategies. The findings highlight a troubling trend where backup-related issues have emerged as the primary cause of data loss worldwide, responsible for approximately one-third (32%) of all incidents. This alarming statistic underscores the immediate necessity for companies to enhance their backup and recovery protocols substantially to ensure better protection of their data assets.
Understanding the Scope of Data Disruptions
The Frequency of Data Disruptions
A key revelation from Zerto’s survey is that companies, on average, experience 4.2 data disruptions per year requiring IT intervention. This figure demonstrates the pervasive nature of data issues affecting organizations across various sectors. Additionally, the survey highlights that organizations face one ransomware attack and one internal attack annually, making data disruptions a regular and anticipated challenge. The prevalence of such disruptions necessitates that companies adopt more robust and effective measures to mitigate these risks and ensure continuity of operations.
The Ineffectiveness of Traditional Backups
Despite having backups in place, nearly half (48%) of the surveyed organizations admitted to paying ransoms to expedite recovery and mitigate the impacts of the attacks. Shockingly, only 20% of those who paid ransoms were able to fully recover their data, which points to a significant failure of traditional backup methods. This outcome suggests that merely investing in backups is proving insufficient and highlights the need for a more comprehensive and multifaceted approach towards data protection. Phil Goodwin, Research VP at IDC, expressed dismay at companies’ reliance on backups, leading to ransom payments and data losses.
Expert Opinions and Proposed Solutions
The Perspective of Industry Experts
Recognizing the disheartening reality faced by many organizations, Phil Goodwin and Caroline Seymour, HPE VP for Storage Product Marketing, stress the need for enhanced data protection strategies. Goodwin points out the clear inadequacies in current backup processes, urging companies to rethink their strategies. Caroline Seymour further emphasizes the increasing complexity of modern data environments and the necessity for a sophisticated approach. She advocates leveraging a suite of complementary tools, including Continuous Data Protection (CDP), instead of relying solely on traditional backups.
Continuous Data Protection: A Game-Changer
Zerto proposes the adoption of Continuous Data Protection (CDP) as a critical measure for better data protection. CDP allows companies to restore their systems to a point immediately before an attack, significantly reducing downtime and data loss. By continuously capturing data changes, CDP provides a more granular recovery option compared to traditional backup methods. This approach offers organizations the resilience they need to withstand various data disruptions and ensures a more seamless recovery process without the need to pay ransoms.
The Future of Data Protection Investments
Prioritizing IT Software Investments
The survey underscores the importance of backup and recovery as the top priority for IT software investments in 2024. With data disruptions becoming more frequent and sophisticated, there is a growing consensus among experts that organizations must adopt a more integrated approach to data protection. This includes a combination of backup and recovery, disaster recovery, and cyber recovery strategies to create a comprehensive and resilient data protection framework. Such a multifaceted approach ensures that companies are better prepared to handle future attacks and mitigate the associated risks effectively.
Moving Towards Integrated Solutions
Recent research by Zerto reveals that companies are grappling with serious deficiencies in their disaster recovery and cyber recovery strategies. The study shows a concerning trend where issues related to backups have become the leading cause of data loss globally, accounting for roughly one-third (32%) of all such incidents. This worrying statistic accentuates the urgent need for organizations to significantly improve their backup and recovery frameworks to safeguard their crucial data.
A deeper dive into Zerto’s findings uncovers that many companies underestimate the complexities involved in maintaining effective backup systems. They often overlook the rapid pace at which cyber threats evolve, leaving them vulnerable. Moreover, outdated recovery plans fail to address the intricacies of modern data ecosystems, exacerbating the problem. The growing prevalence of ransomware and other sophisticated cyber attacks further complicates the landscape, making it imperative for firms to innovate and adapt quickly.
In summary, Zerto’s research paints a clear picture: to protect against data loss, companies must overhaul their backup and recovery protocols, ensuring that they are robust, up-to-date, and capable of responding to an ever-changing threat environment.
