Unified Data Recovery Business Case for C-Suite

By Steve Snook, Head of Cloud at Securecom

Background

Over the past 20 years working across infrastructure, cloud, and cybersecurity, one lesson stands out – technical excellence alone doesn’t get buy-in from the top. For CIOs, CTOs, and CFOs, every decision needs to be anchored in clear business outcomes. Yet when it comes to backup and recovery, I often see solid strategies fall flat—not because they’re flawed, but because they’re not framed in the language the C-suite speaks: risk, resilience, and return on investment.

As organisations grapple with growing data sprawl and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, building a strong business case for unified data recovery has become essential.

In this second part of my five-part series, I’ll unpack the key metrics that resonate with decision-makers and share how to elevate backup conversations from technical necessity to strategic priority.

Introduction

As New Zealand enterprises expand their digital presence, the costs and risks associated with fragmented data recovery systems quietly escalate. Building a compelling business case for improved data protection involves quantifying both the tangible and intangible costs of current fragmented systems and demonstrating the value of a unified approach. This article provides a framework for constructing a business case that resonates with decision-makers across finance, technology, and compliance functions.

1. The True Cost of Data Recovery Failures

Data recovery failures can have devastating financial impacts on businesses. Key costs to consider include:

Downtime Costs: Prolonged system downtime can lead to significant revenue losses.
Recovery Costs: Poor recovery processes can lead to extra expenses for emergency support and temporary fixes.
Reputation Costs: Data breaches or recovery failures can harm a company’s reputation, affecting future business opportunities.

2. Calculating the ROI of Unified Data Protection

To calculate the Return on Investment (ROI) of unified data protection, consider the following:

Cost Savings: Reduced operational costs from managing fewer systems and minimising downtime.
Efficiency Gains: Improved productivity through streamlined backup and recovery processes.
Risk Reduction: Lower risk of data breaches and compliance issues, reducing potential fines and legal costs.

3. Compliance Costs and Risks in the New Zealand Regulatory Context

New Zealand’s regulatory environment, guided by the Privacy Act and upcoming amendments, places increasing importance on effective data protection. Organisations face several critical compliance-related risks and costs:

Regulatory Fines: Penalties for failing to meet data protection regulations.
Audit Expenses: Costs associated with maintaining compliance across various platforms.
Reputational Damage: Negative publicity from compliance failures, impacting trust and business relationships.

Additionally, while backups are essential for recovery, safeguarding backups themselves against privacy breaches—often overlooked—is crucial for ensuring full privacy compliance.

4. Measuring the Operational Burden of Managing Multiple Systems

Managing multiple backup systems can be operationally burdensome:

Staff Time: Increased personnel costs due to the complexity of managing diverse systems.
Training Costs: Ongoing training needs for staff to maintain proficiency across different platforms.
Resource Allocation: Inefficient use of IT resources, diverting focus from strategic initiatives.

5. Building a Comprehensive Business Case for Your C-Suite

A comprehensive business case should include:

Quantified Costs: Detailed calculations of current costs and potential savings.
Risk Assessment: Evaluation of compliance and operational risks associated with fragmented systems.
Value Proposition: Clear articulation of how a unified data recovery solution addresses these challenges.

6. Key Metrics and KPIs to Include in Your Proposal

Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs): Ensure alignment with business continuity needs.
Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs): Define acceptable data loss thresholds.
Compliance Metrics: Track adherence to regulatory requirements.
Cost Savings: Quantify operational efficiencies and reduced risk exposure.

Next Steps

Begin quantifying the risks and costs of your current fragmented data protection environment, in many cases this requires a manual discovery process where you assess RTO & RPO metrics, staff time, compliance risk, and potential downtime impacts. There is also a larger risk which is often overlooked and that is the Business Risk of SaaS Data. For organisations seeking expert guidance in building this business case, our DataDISCOVER service can provide detailed insights into your current environment. Contact Us for more information on how to leverage these resources to strengthen your business case.

Further reading on the Journey to Resilient Data Protection

Read the full blog series designed to guide IT leaders from risk awareness to ROI.

About the Author:

Steve is an accomplished IT leader with two decades of experience across New Zealand and Australia, specialising in cloud infrastructure, virtualisation, and cybersecurity.

In his current role as Head of Cloud, Steve applies his blend of technical expertise and commercial acumen to help enterprises unify and protect their data. With a proven track record in managing complex networks, redesigning managed services, and leading solutions architecture, he brings unique insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by CIOs, CTOs, and CFOs tackling fragmented backup systems.

Steve can be contacted:

Email: steve.snook@securecom.co.nz

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-snook-1501b646

Building a Business Case for Unified Data Recovery: Metrics That Matter to the C-Suite