By leveraging robust backup solutions and adhering to best practices, businesses can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, knowing that their critical data and operations are well-protected.

The rise of businesses going digital or moving their operations to the cloud has unlocked efficiencies and improved digital innovation, yet at the same time, also upped exposure to cyber risks, one of the most critical being the risk of data loss.

“As companies increasingly rely on digital data for operations, having a reliable backup system is crucial to protect against data loss due to cyberattacks, hardware failures, or human error while also protecting sensitive client information,” says Chadi Khadij, who leads the IT practice at INDEVCO Consultancy.

In today’s digital age, the importance of maintaining robust digital backups for businesses cannot be overstated. Effective backup strategies help ensure business continuity, safeguard critical information, and minimize downtime. These safeguards ultimately help businesses boost operational resilience and long-term success.

“A viable business continuity plan must include storing a data backup and having a disaster recovery process in place, which can be deployed in the event of a major issue,” explains Khadij.

INDEVCO Consultancy is an award-winning management consultancy firm headquartered in Lebanon, a pillar of the multinational INDEVCO Group. The firm’s IT Advisory practice offers a range of digital solutions, including the management of backups end-to-end.

“INDEVCO Consultancy is dedicated to providing businesses with the tools and expertise needed to protect their digital assets and ensure operational resilience,” says Khadij. INDEVCO Consultancy is a certified partner of Acronis, a backup solution that is used by over 750,000 businesses worldwide, helping clients implement and adopt the solution.

Acronis is fully integrated within Office 365, which according to Khadij is vital for businesses to ensure data protection, consumer privacy, and regulatory compliance.

Resilience and compliance
Adhering to data protection regulations is fundamental for businesses across a wide range of sectors. Meeting legal requirements, avoiding costly fines, and maintaining customer trust are essential for supporting overall operational integrity and resilience.

“For example, we recently worked on integrating a backup solution of all cloud materials within a highly complex environment. We supported with the advisory and implementation of Acronis. This helped the company comply with its security policies,” Khadij shares.

Asked how companies should kickstart their journey, Khadij outlines a number of steps. “It’s crucial to first define your strategy. Determine what needs to be backed up, how to back it up, and the governance required to ensure its protection.”

Then starts the vendor selection phase: “Assess the IT solutions on the market and make sure there is a clear business case and fit with the organisation. With that clarity on board, the next step is to design new processes and assess the impact on the standing organisation. Inevitably, that will call for various teams to coordinate closely – to fully understand what is at stake and ensure there is an integral approach across the business.”

In a world where data is the lifeblood of business, establishing a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy is not just an option – “it really is a critical necessity for safeguarding the future and ensuring sustained success.”