In today’s digital era, data is not just a collection of files—it is the lifeblood of businesses, the foundation of innovation, and a crucial driver of decision-making. From large enterprises and financial institutions to small businesses and individual users, data serves as a pillar of operational success. However, as cyber threats evolve, system failures become more unpredictable, and compliance regulations grow stricter, the need for a robust backup and recovery strategy has never been more urgent.
World Backup Day, observed annually on March 31st, serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of data protection. On this special day, IT leaders share their insights on why a proactive backup strategy is critical in today’s digital-first world. From the role of AI and automation in cyber resilience to regulatory compliance challenges and innovative solutions, these experts outline the evolving landscape of data protection.
“In an era where AI adoption accelerates and IT infrastructures grow increasingly complex, ensuring seamless data availability and resilience has become paramount. Cyber threats, system failures, and stringent compliance mandates necessitate robust backup and disaster recovery strategies—not merely as safeguards, but as business imperatives. Lenovo's ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile solutions are meticulously engineered to meet these evolving demands. They provide secure, scalable, and AI-ready infrastructure that ensures continuous data protection.”
“As AI workloads expand exponentially, enterprises require intelligent systems capable of not only storing and processing vast data volumes but also safeguarding against disruptions. Our backup and disaster recovery solutions integrate advanced automation and cyber resilience, facilitating rapid recovery and maintaining operational continuity. For instance, the integration of Lenovo ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile solutions helps mitigate ransomware attacks by keeping backups secure in immutable repositories, enabling swift and effective restoration of compromised data. A modern backup strategy transcends mere recovery; it embodies proactive resilience. This World Backup Day serves as a reminder that data protection must evolve in tandem with the technologies driving digital transformation. By adopting future-ready infrastructure and intelligent backup solutions, enterprises can mitigate risks, enhance security, and ensure that data remains their most reliable asset in an AI-driven world,” - Amit Luthra, Managing Director, Lenovo ISG India.
"The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre reported losses of Rs 11,333 crore due to cyber fraud in the first 9 months of 2024. This is a clarion call for businesses to look beyond conventional data backup mechanisms and adopt comprehensive data resilience strategy. World Backup Day is an important reminder in this context. Data backup now is no longer just about copying files; it’s an integral part of an organization’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Implementing immutable backups, automated threat detection, and rapid recovery processes are essential to ensure data remains safe and recoverable in the event of a cyberattack. Moreover, businesses need to test recovery processes regularly and ensure proper orchestration for effective data restoration.”
“The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), which came into effect in August 2023 also emphasizes upon the growing importance of data resilience and the Government of India’s commitment to enhancing data security frameworks. This regulatory framework will enable Indian businesses align with global standards and ensure business continuity,” - Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President and Managing Director, India & SAARC, Veeam Software.
“Data is the currency of modern business, but when it’s compromised, the loss cuts deeper than just financial damage. A single ransomware attack can cost more than downtime, it erodes trust, disrupts operations, and jeopardises business resilience. The World Bank’s report "A Review of the Economic Costs of Cyber Incidents" cites an analysis projecting that ransomware damages could reach $265 billion annually by 2031 globally, with a 30% year-over-year growth. This highlights the escalating threat posed by ransomware and the growing urgency for resilient data protection strategies. Smarter data management strategies are business critical.”
“Enterprises must go beyond basic protection and embed data backup and recovery into the core of their IT framework. From system failures and cyberattacks to natural disasters and human errors, a well-defined backup strategy reduces risk of data loss, protects intellectual property, preserves customer trust and ensures long term stability. Intelligent storage and automated backups ensure that data isn’t just stored, it’s positioned for fast, seamless recovery, preserving business continuity and operational strength even under pressure. This World Backup Day, don’t just store data, empower it. The real advantage lies in a robust backup strategy that transforms recovery into business continuity,”- Sanjay Agrawal, Head Presales & CTO, India and SAARC, Hitachi Vantara and Chair SNIA.
"In today's digital-first world, data is the backbone of our lives and businesses. Its loss—whether from cyberattacks, system failures, or human error—can be catastrophic. Globally, ransomware attacks have been rising alarmingly, with the 2024 Seqrite India Threat Report, prepared by our researchers at India's largest malware analysis facility, revealing ransomware now accounts for 1 in every 595 detected threats. Modern ransomware isn't just about locking systems—it's increasingly designed to steal sensitive data, amplifying the risks of financial losses, operational paralysis, and irreversible damage to customer trust.
“This dual threat of data theft and system lockdown calls for a robust backup strategy reinforced by data encryption, access controls and regular updates for optimum cyber resilience. At Quick Heal and Seqrite, we are committed to making cyber safety a fundamental right. With innovations like AntiFraud.AI which alerts consumers if their data is breached and guides them on next steps, and as well as our enterprise solutions like Seqrite ZTNA, Seqrite Data Privacy, and Seqrite EPP range, we empower both individuals and organizations to stay secure. This World Backup Day let’s prioritize multi-layered protection and a security-first mindset—because preparation today prevents disruption tomorrow,” - Vishal Salvi, CEO, Quick Heal Technologies Limited.
“In today’s digital-first world, data is the backbone of business success. At Infobip, we champion privacy-first solutions that enable businesses to protect, manage, and recover data seamlessly. On World Backup Day, we emphasize the critical role of secure data management — regular backups, end-to-end encryption, and AI-powered fraud prevention are essential strategies to safeguard sensitive information. In India, with the implementation of the DPDP Act, organizations must adopt a proactive approach to data protection, ensuring compliance while strengthening customer trust. By investing in resilient infrastructure and robust cybersecurity frameworks, companies can not only mitigate risks but also drive long-term growth. Data protection is not just a regulatory necessity but a strategic advantage in an evolving digital ecosystem. As businesses scale, ensuring data integrity will be key to building a secure and transparent future,” - Shankar Iyer, Director – Business Strategy, India, Infobip
“World Backup Day is an annual reminder of the importance of backing up and protecting data from loss and theft. The universal messages of making regular backups, keeping offline copies and more are as important as ever – but in India’s increasingly digital landscape, there are other aspects of effective backup that are worth thinking about on World Backup Day. They may not be as obvious, but they are just as important.”
“This includes backing up identity and access management systems like Microsoft Entra ID. Without proper Entra ID backup, employees may lose access to essential applications, severely compromising operational efficiency. Organisations should also avoid ‘restoring blind’ in case this introduces previously undetected malware into the network, by having a solution in place that can scan backups for malware before restoration. Additionally, regular testing of backup systems is crucial. The worst time to discover that there is an error in your configuration, or that a setting is incorrect, is right after a ransomware event or when you really need to restore something and can’t. Even with easy-to-use systems, companies need to be familiar with how their backup works and should be comfortable with restores – before the pressure is on,” - Parag Khurana, Country Manager, India, Barracuda Networks.
"As AI implementation across industries continues to grow, businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on data for AI-driven decision making and model training. This continued technological advancement means organizations are generating and storing more data than ever, requiring them to proactively manage their data – starting with data minimization. Backups are essential for organizations to maintain business continuity and respond swiftly in the event of a cyberattack. However, organizations must be mindful of the data they’re backing up. Not all data is critical – 33% is redundant, obsolete, or trivial (ROT).”
“By identifying and eliminating unnecessary data and retiring outdated applications, businesses can significantly reduce their attack surface and bolster their security postures. Not only does data minimization ensure that organizations are more resilient in the face of security threats, but it helps improve operational efficiency by freeing up valuable storage and resources. Additionally, as AI adoption grows and regulations evolve, minimizing excess data gives businesses greater control over their sensitive information, reducing the complexity and cost of compliance and safeguarding operations across an organization,” - Greg Clark, Director of Product Management, Data Security, OpenText Cybersecurity
“Data backup is crucial for business continuity due to data’s expanding role in decision-making, customer experience, market competitiveness, and regulatory compliance. The absence of data backup can pose serious implications to organizations in the event of data loss. For instance, financial institutions—custodians of sensitive customer and business data—can face operational risks such as downtime, loss of competitive edge, cyberattacks, regulatory penalties, and revenue loss.”
“Regulations such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and GDPR obligate financial institutions to secure sensitive data through adequate backup and recovery strategies, including encryption, access control, retention, erasure, and portability in line with Data Principal rights. Comprehensive IT controls are critical to mitigate these risks due to unsecured handling of data. For instance, at Anaptyss, we have taken stringent measures, including ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and SOC Type 1 accreditations, appointment of a data protection officer, information security controls, and access-controlled cleanrooms to protect customer data. Additionally, organizations must reinforce their ERM framework with "entity-level" control design and testing across operational management, compliance and oversight, and internal audits. For example, Anaptyss helped a US-based community bank comply with GLBA by testing over 150 GLBA controls for information technology and operations,” - Anuj Khurana, Co-Founder and CEO, Anaptyss.
“Data isn’t just information—it’s the backbone of operations. Losing it means losing control over supply chains, customer trust, and business continuity. On World Backup Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding digital memories with intelligent storage and proactive backups, ensuring resilience against cyber threats and downtime. A strong backup today secures a seamless tomorrow,” - Zaiba Sarang, Co-founder, iThink Logistics.
“As a leading provider of high-performance storage solutions, ADATA encourages users to invest in reliable external drives - especially external SSDs—for secure, efficient, and portable backups. With their durability and fast transfer speeds, external SSDs have become essential tools in today’s mobile-first world. Additionally, encrypting sensitive data and updating backup routines regularly can further enhance data protection. This World Backup Day, let’s commit to securing our digital lives—because a backup today means peace of mind tomorrow," - Charles Wei, Sales Head, ADATA
"In today’s digital era, data is one of our most valuable assets, yet accidental data loss remains a constant risk—whether due to hardware failure, cyber threats, or human error. At ADATA, we emphasize the importance of regular data backups as a fundamental step in safeguarding critical information. Backing up data consistently not only ensures quick recovery in case of unexpected failures but also provides peace of mind for both individuals and businesses,” - Ravvi Dhyani, Country Manager, ADATA.
"Since the early days of computing, having high quality restorable backups have been one of the most important policies to achieve technology resilience. Today, it is front and center in the fight against ransomware extortionists. With a proven backup and restore process, companies can immediately start recovering systems to reduce business disruption, taking the leverage out of the cybercriminals hand. The backup itself represents the crown jewels of the company and should be suitably secured. A few key considerations should be offsite secure location, air-gapped, access controls, Multi Factor Authentication and encryption," - Tony Anscombe, Chief Security Evangelist, ESET
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