Veeam pushes cyber resilience as AI raises data risks

AI resilience is becoming a top priority for cybersecurity teams as enterprises deploy AI agents, according to Dave Russell, senior vice president and head of strategy at Veeam Software. Cyber threats have heightened the focus on resilience in recent years, and AI is expanding the conversation around what resilience truly means.

Rather than solely focusing on preventing incidents, resilience now involves preparing for the likelihood that some attacks will succeed due to system complexity, attacker sophistication, and occasional accidents. Russell emphasized the importance of testing recovery capabilities through exercises, but cautioned that tabletop exercises alone are insufficient to prove actual recovery effectiveness.

Instead, Veeam's recovery verification tools are being combined with security technologies to provide assurance of reliable recovery. Strong data governance is crucial, starting with trusted data and confidence in its recoverability. This foundation enables organizations to support their AI tools and administrative training effectively.

The discussion centered on the broader business continuity and data resilience conversation, recognizing that while AI introduces unique challenges, many steps remain consistent across various scenarios. As data quality becomes increasingly recognized as a critical factor for AI performance, organizations are moving from theoretical discussions to a more practical understanding of data management's role in AI resilience.