In the rapidly evolving technology landscape, organizations are facing growing challenges when it comes to data protection and disaster recovery. Recent research by Keepit and Foundry, based on a survey of 107 US companies with more than 1,000 employees, reveals critical gaps in many organizations’ existing strategies, particularly in the context of the increasing use of cloud applications and artificial intelligence (AI).
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The research shows that only around half of the organizations surveyed have integrated their SaaS data stored in the cloud into their disaster recovery plans. This disconnect between the changing IT landscape and existing data protection strategies represents a significant vulnerability in an increasingly cloud-based business world.
While traditional systems such as financial applications are often well covered, other business-critical areas such as e-commerce, HR management and custom applications are often left out of the equation. The rapid adoption of generative AI and machine learning further exacerbates this issue as it brings new challenges in terms of data protection and compliance that many existing strategies are not designed to address. While AI is on everyone’s radar, the concern over how to use it and protect data , is significant.
The complexity of modern cloud environments and increasing regulatory pressure – for example the SEC guidelines in the US, and the Digital Operational Resiliency Act (DORA) in the EU – are increasing the need for companies to take action. They urgently need to improve their disaster recovery capabilities in order to remain competitive and fulfil legal requirements.
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A holistic approach to data protection should include accurate data classification, robust recovery mechanisms and a coherent, compliance-compliant risk management strategy. The development of a mature data security culture and the consolidation of fragmented security solutions are crucial.
There are clear recommendations for action for CISOs and CIOs: They should invest more in data-centric solutions and implement effective data governance structures. Active involvement of the board of directors in data protection and security issues is essential for corporate success in the digital age. Robust data security and backup strategies must be developed to enable innovation without neglecting protection.
Clearly communicating cyber risks to all stakeholders and demonstrating the return on investment of cyber security initiatives are critical to the support and success of these measures. Organizations should redefine their data protection and governance strategies to fully exploit the opportunities of digital transformation while effectively managing the associated risks. While the integration of cloud and AI technologies offers immense opportunities, it also requires a proactive, holistic security concept. Only through decisive action and forward-looking planning can companies secure their competitiveness and resilience in the long term.
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