What's Happening?
Grant Thornton Australia has successfully consolidated 60 terabytes of backup and disaster recovery data into Veeam's cloud-based solution over the past year. This strategic move, led by Mark Holmes, the head of IT operations, is part of the firm's broader initiative to bolster data resiliency against increasing cyber threats. The transition to Veeam's Data Cloud offering encompasses the company's Microsoft stack and Salesforce CRM, aiming to enhance ransomware protection and reduce the technical overhead associated with managing backup environments. The IT team, consisting of 20 members, supports 1,700 staff and manages 3,500 mailboxes. They have also extended backup coverage to include Grant Thornton's Salesforce CRM platform and Microsoft identity and access management stack, Entra, securing over 15,000 identity objects. The firm has invested in Veeam’s Azure-based Data Cloud Vault to minimize hardware dependency and ensure robust ransomware protection.
Why It's Important?
This development is significant as it highlights the growing emphasis on cloud-based solutions for data management and cybersecurity in the corporate sector. By moving to a cloud-first strategy, Grant Thornton is not only enhancing its data protection measures but also aligning with industry trends towards reducing physical infrastructure. This shift is crucial for maintaining business continuity in the face of potential cyber threats, which are increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. The integration of Veeam's solutions also positions Grant Thornton to leverage future technologies, such as artificial intelligence, by ensuring a solid and secure data environment. This move could serve as a model for other firms looking to modernize their IT infrastructure and improve data resiliency.
What's Next?
Grant Thornton plans to continue refining its IT infrastructure by ensuring the Microsoft 365 environment is robust and secure. This preparation is in anticipation of adopting advanced technologies, including agentic AI, which could further enhance operational efficiency and data management capabilities. The firm's ongoing focus on cloud solutions and data security is likely to influence its future IT strategies and investments, potentially leading to further innovations in data management and cybersecurity practices.
