Let’s face it – nobody dreams of becoming a backup administrator. While other IT specialties get the glory and the budget, backup teams often get the leftovers. But getting backup into the IT budget isn’t just about having nice tools – it’s about business survival.
This blog post summarizes the main points of my latest podcast episode. If you’d like, you can listen to it or watch it at https://www.backupwrapup.com/
Why Getting Backup Into the IT Budget Matters More Than Ever
Remember that vodka company that just declared bankruptcy because of a ransomware attack? They’re still down and don’t expect to recover until 2025. That’s what happens when you don’t have proper backup systems in place. And yeah, I know what you’re thinking – “it won’t happen to us.” But ransomware has changed everything. It’s not a matter of if anymore – it’s when.
Smart Strategies for Getting Backup Into the IT Budget
Here’s something I learned over my years in backup: you need allies. Your best friends? The security team (yeah, I know – younger me would be shocked too) and the GRC folks. These teams understand risk, and they often have the ear of upper management. Plus, security teams usually have decent budgets. When you align your backup needs with their security goals, you’ve got a much stronger case.
Making Your Case for Getting Backup Into the IT Budget
Document everything. When you have that meeting where someone says “that would never happen” or “we’ve got great security,” send a follow-up email summarizing the discussion. Be professional about it – no finger-pointing. Just state the facts: “Based on our discussion, the department cannot fund additional backup protection at this time.”
Work your chain of command, but don’t be afraid to suggest involving the GRC and IT security teams as partners. Frame it as a question: “Do you think the GRC or IT security folks could help us make this case?” This approach shows you’re thinking about the bigger picture.
If management just won’t listen about getting backup into the IT budget, and you’ve tried everything – partnering with security, involving GRC, documenting everything – well, maybe it’s time to look elsewhere. Because if your company doesn’t take backup seriously in today’s ransomware-heavy world, that’s a red flag.
Written by W. Curtis Preston (@wcpreston), four-time O'Reilly author, and host of The Backup Wrap-up podcast. I am now the Technology Evangelist at S2|DATA, which helps companies manage their legacy data
