The Importance of Data Resilience in the Digital Age

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, data has become the backbone of businesses, driving decision-making, innovation, and operational continuity. However, with the increasing threats of cyberattacks, system failures, and human errors, organizations must prioritize data resilience. World Backup Day, observed annually on March 31, serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of robust data protection strategies.

Rising Threats Demand Smarter Data Strategies

According to Sanjay Agrawal, Head Presales & CTO, India and SAARC, Hitachi Vantara, and Chair SNIA, data is the currency of modern business, and its compromise can lead to severe financial and reputational damage. He highlights that a single ransomware attack not only causes downtime but also erodes trust and disrupts operations. The World Bank’s report estimates that ransomware damages could reach $265 billion annually by 2031, with a 30% year-over-year growth, underscoring the increasing urgency for resilient data protection strategies.

India’s Risk Landscape and Governance Challenges

Richard Apostolik, President and CEO of the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), underscores the vulnerabilities in India’s risk landscape. He points to the IIA-Protiviti India Survey 2025, which reveals that while 66% of Chief Audit Executives identify cybersecurity and AI as top governance risks, only 16% believe their audit teams are adequately prepared to tackle them. Apostolik emphasizes that World Backup Day is a crucial reminder that data resilience must be a fundamental part of corporate governance.

Regulatory Compliance and Data Protection in Financial Services

For financial institutions, safeguarding sensitive customer and business data is a priority. Anuj Khurana, Co-Founder and CEO of Anaptyss, emphasizes that inadequate data backup strategies can lead to downtime, cyberattacks, regulatory penalties, and financial losses. Regulations such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) and GDPR mandate financial institutions to implement stringent data protection measures, including encryption, access controls, and retention policies.

AI-Driven Innovation and the Need for Data Resilience

The growing AI ecosystem in India also underscores the importance of data backup. Rahul Paith, CEO of MATH, highlights that as AI-driven startups increasingly rely on vast datasets, data resilience is essential. The India Cyber Threat Report 2025 recorded 369.01 million security incidents in 2024, with Telangana being the most targeted state, making robust backup systems crucial for safeguarding innovation and ensuring business continuity.

Proactive Data Security: A Business Imperative

Girija Kolagada, Vice President of Engineering at Progress, reiterates that data loss can occur due to cyberattacks, human errors, or system failures, making reliable backup plans a necessity. A well-defined backup strategy not only mitigates cyber risks but also prevents costly operational disruptions, ensuring operational continuity and customer trust.

Embracing a Data-First Approach

As businesses and individuals navigate an increasingly digitized world, the importance of robust data backup strategies cannot be overstated. World Backup Day is more than just a symbolic observance—it is a call to action for organizations to implement comprehensive, resilient data protection frameworks. Whether through intelligent storage solutions, regulatory compliance, or AI-driven security measures, ensuring data resilience today will define business sustainability tomorrow.

Published On Apr 1, 2025 at 09:18 AM IST

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