2024 Tech Predictions in Data Protection and Management

## Overview

Kristoff Bertrand, Practice Director for Data Management and Analytics at Enterprise Strategy Group, and Steve Kenzano, Senior Analyst, present predictions for 2024 in data protection and data management. The discussion combines insights from backup/recovery, security, and data governance perspectives.

## Ransomware and Data Resilience

Bertrand predicts that ransomware will remain a key market driver in 2024, with inevitable increases in attack volume. More significantly, he forecasts growing partnerships between vendors and ecosystem players as organizations address these threats collectively. A new concept called "data resilience" is emerging—defined as the integration of data governance, data protection, and security into a unified approach.

## Generative AI in Data Protection

AI and machine learning have already been embedded in backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions for years, but Bertrand expects them to improve significantly. He introduces the term "generative data protection"—using generative AI to enhance both data protection capabilities and ransomware recovery processes. This represents a convergence of previously adjacent market segments into more comprehensive, holistic solutions driven by escalating cyber threats from malicious actors.

## Data Governance and Compliance

Kenzano notes that while AI dominated attention in 2023, it simultaneously exposed gaps in how organizations understand and manage their data platforms. Companies are rushing to implement real-time data processing and integrate AI across their entire data pipeline—from collection and processing through storage, analytics, and visualization. However, this urgency creates new data governance challenges. Key focus areas include data lineage (tracking data origin and flow), understanding permissions for data usage, and maintaining compliance standards. Solidifying the underlying data platform to handle real-time processing while meeting AI demands is identified as a critical 2024 priority.

## AI as Enabler

Bertrand emphasizes that beyond being a threat vector, AI can also serve as a tool to strengthen data governance itself, creating a dual role for the technology.

## Takeaways

The 2024 outlook emphasizes resilience through integration: ransomware threats drive ecosystem partnerships, data resilience combines governance and protection, generative AI enhances recovery capabilities, and AI simultaneously addresses governance challenges. Organizations must solidify their data platforms for real-time processing while strengthening governance and lineage tracking.