Backup software is an interesting market. On its surface it seems very simple -- all you have to do is copy all your data from Point A to Point B, right? Of course, as anyone who has been assigned the responsibility of managing backups will tell you, it is not that simple. Backup touches just about every component of your infrastructure, and if there is a weakness in that infrastructure it seems as if the backup process is the one that will expose it, and do so at the most inappropriate moment.
The engine of all this is, of course, the backup application itself. There are several survey's floating around that indicate 73 percent of you are going to reevaluate your backup software over the next three years. What it doesn't say is that most of you, after reviewing your choices, won't change. Selecting backup software is like voting for your representative to Congress: Do you go with the bad choice you know, or do you take a chance on something new that could be better but more than likely is worse?
As I look at backup software, I see two major nations: Symantec (NetBackup and Backup Exec) and EMC Software (Legato and Avamar), and a new, developing nation, Commvault. Symantec seems to be figuring out the integration of Veritas, and capabilities like its OpenStorage API (OST) are catching on. EMC seems to be really advocating Avamar more so than Legato Networker, and Commvault continues to march down the path of doing everything.
The contrast between Symantec and Commvault is the most interesting. Symantec has acquired much of its technology (Netbackup, Puredisk, KVS, etc.) and is working on integrating components of those solutions, as evidenced by the Puredisk option for Netbackup. Of course, Symantec will tell you that it is bringing best-of-breed solutions into its umbrella. If those selections are correct, and the integration work completes, the strategy could make sense. Symantec now is extending the best-of-breed philosophy by inviting everyone else to the party with OST. The interesting thing, at least from an industry perspective, is everyone likes Symantec now. Go figure.
Commvault, on the other hand, has tried to develop a single product for all your data protection and management needs. While I am not sure if Simpana 8 was worth a full version upgrade, the strategy makes sense -- a totally integrated holistic approach to software, keeping you from having to purchase 13 different applications, learning them, and maintaining them. The upside is that this should be easier for users. The downside is: What if you dont like one of their modules? Once you decide to use KVS for email instead of Commvault, the vision loses much of its luster.
With the move to the cloud, CISOs must shift priorities from operating security programs to overseeing (monitoring and auditing) outsourced cybersecurity programs.
2022 was a boon year for IT salaries. 2023 came in like a beast with layoffs, raise freezes, and ChatGPT, but that beast has few teeth.
Age is only a number. Don't let a high number cancel your career.
