Veeam research reveals boards ignore AI risks despite fears that leaders couldn’t survive three days of total data downtime

DUBAI, UAE – March 31, 2026 — On World Backup Day today, Veeam® Software, the Data and AI Trust Company, is highlighting the findings of its latest Data Resilience survey of more than 4,000 C-Suite and senior IT leaders. The results spotlight a pivotal challenge: in an era where data and AI drive business success, organizations are more vulnerable than ever to data loss and outages.

The annual World Backup Day serves as a critical reminder that regular, reliable backups are the cornerstone of digital trust. Veeam’s research shows that executive concern over data outages now outweighs fears of economic recession, making recovery planning a top boardroom priority.

Data Outages Surpass Recession as Top Risk

Trust in data is now the defining factor for business success. As organizations become increasingly dependent on AI systems, the risk posed by outages has eclipsed traditional economic concerns:

• 76% of organizations report they would not survive more than three days of downtime following a total data outage.
• 44% of IT leaders lack confidence that they could recover critical data within 24 hours of a major attack.

“Backups are the last line of truth in a world where AI can fabricate and ransomware can encrypt,” said Dave Russell, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy at Veeam. “It’s not just about recovering data—it’s about keeping your business functioning.”

The AI Oversight and Accountability Gap

Despite rapid AI adoption, leadership teams are falling short in governing emerging risks. The survey revealed that 38% of boards have never formally discussed AI-driven attacks, leaving their infrastructure exposed. Furthermore, only 31% of boards review resilience readiness—such as recovery KPIs—on a quarterly basis. Without clear ownership, organizations remain trapped in reactive cycles rather than proactive, trust-driven strategies.

The Human and Technical Cost of Failure

The fallout from cyber incidents extends beyond technology. 57% of leaders reported that employees have resigned or suffered from burnout following major incidents. While external cyberattacks (26%) remain the primary cause of data loss, human error (23%) and system failures (16%) continue to threaten the foundation of the digital enterprise.

World Backup Day is a call for every organization to review, test, and strengthen their data resilience. Neglecting these strategies leads to more than just technical glitches—it leads to loss of customer trust and potential business collapse.