This article is the first in a 3-part series:
Understanding Data Sprawl > Navigating Data Sprawl > Managing Data Sprawl
Did you know data creation is at an all-time high? In fact, it is estimated that 1.7 MB of data is created every second for every person on Earth. As companies grow and adopt more digital tools, the volume of generated data continues to increase, making Data Sprawl one of the key hidden challenges for businesses. Data sprawl refers to an uncontrolled surge of data across a business’s systems, platforms, and storage locations.
Without proper management, it can also lead to many undesirable outcomes. In this blog, follow along as we unpack the causes, and consequences of data sprawl and how it is impacting your customers.
Why is data creation accelerating in the cloud?
The exponential surge in data is mainly driven by the transition from physical hardware with finite storage capacities to the elastic storage capabilities provided by the cloud. Moreover, storage costs have consistently decreased, especially in the consumer sector, where businesses are less burdened by concerns about data volume due to its abundance. However, many enterprises only recognize the extent of their data expansion when they face limitations within their SaaS services.
As Simon Gibson, Managing Director of Rocket IT NZ, aptly pointed out, “Customers only realize the magnitude of their data production when they reach their SharePoint limit. That’s when they pay attention because the cost per gigabyte becomes apparent. Nowadays, we are somewhat spoiled by the abundance of data storage, and for many businesses, the realization that there will be a cost at the end of the day hasn’t quite sunk in yet. But as people face this reality, they become more deliberate in their data management. “
The consequences of ineffective data management for your customers
While the benefits of cloud-driven data creation are undisputable, they come with a caveat – the risk of data sprawl. Without robust management strategies in place, organizations face several repercussions. For instance, minor issues can gather momentum, and snowball into larger challenges that are harder to address. This sets the stage for a range of negative outcomes that include:
Increased Complexity: Managing ‘sprawling’ data landscapes can become much more challenging, leading to confusion, inefficiency, and reduced productivity.
Heightened Security Risks: Expanded attack surfaces and fragmented data sources expose your customers to greater cybersecurity threats, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and user error.
Compliance Concerns: Failure to manage data effectively can result in non-compliance with regulatory mandates, leading to severe penalties, reputational damage, and loss of trust among customers and stakeholders.
Empowering MSPs with unlimited storage and retention
Amidst the challenges posed by data sprawl, SkyKick Partners can empower their customers with innovative solutions designed to mitigate risks, enhance operational resilience, and unlock the full potential of their data assets. SkyKick Cloud Backup’s unlimited storage and retention feature offers a compelling solution to address the complexities of data sprawl:
Scalable Data Protection: Unlimited protection ensures that you can take immediate action to ensure all data is protected at no extra cost. As Danny Stacey, Enterprise Account Manager, from Transparity puts it:
“A majority of backup solutions come with restrictions and storage/retention tiers. The benefit of SkyKick is that it’s nice and simple with no restriction on storage and no restriction on retention. So, you can get away from any product complications and focus more on the customer and how they manage their data.”
Regulatory Compliance: With flexible retention policy capabilities SkyKick Cloud Backup enables organizations to adhere to regulatory requirements and industry standards, effortlessly retaining data for mandated periods while maintaining compliance with data protection regulations.
Streamlined Management: SkyKick’s intuitive management console simplifies data backup and recovery processes, empowering MSPs to efficiently manage and monitor data protection activities across multiple Microsoft 365 customers from a centralized dashboard.
Enhanced Data Resilience: With automated, incremental backups and robust encryption mechanisms, SkyKick Cloud Backup offers unparalleled data resilience, enabling organizations to recover swiftly from data loss incidents and mitigate operational disruptions.
Leading the charge against Data Sprawl
Understanding the intricacies of data sprawl is essential for MSPs seeking to apply value-added services and strategic guidance to their customers. By addressing the root causes of data sprawl, implementing robust data management frameworks, and leveraging a comprehensive backup solution, you can position yourself as a trusted advisor to your customers. If you would like to learn more, stay tuned for our next blog, where we will explore both the role of MSPs and their customers in tackling data sprawl.
Additionally, having control of your data is also a key fundamental for a successful foundation in AI. To learn more about this, check out our upcoming webinar to secure your spot and register:
