Data growth is explosive. That is no great secret and certainly nothing new. Yet, as our Future of Operations study reveals, SMBs across the APAC region are investing in AI and analytics to unlock the full value of their data.
As data volume and value grows, the more critical it becomes to protect against associated cybersecurity threats, operational disruptions and punitive regulatory actions.
Although commonly associated with data backup and recovery, the very definition of Data Protection is changing as the rapid uptake of AI and an accelerated shift to hybrid cloud architectures expand the threat surface.
Cybersecurity and continuity are converging in platforms and in practice, and this has implications for how partners approach Data Protection strategies, solutions and services.
Our new Data Protection Playbook series is designed with this in mind.
In this post, I’ll explain why partners need new playbooks, and where you can get them.
From the café owner storing loyalty program details in the cloud, to the regional accounting firm managing thousands of client tax records, data is the lifeblood of a business’ ability to grow and innovate.
Data feeds essential business applications driving everything from finance and payroll to inventory management and marketing. Continuous availability of data underpins business survival in the digital world. In addition, well-structured, good quality data is essential to AI initiatives that can give businesses a competitive edge.
The reality is that every SMB is sitting on more data than they think, and more risk than they may realise. Whilst not all data may be thought of as valuable enough to protect, every byte can represent the missing piece of a puzzle that solves a problem for the business, or that unlocks a new attack vector for a malicious third party.
The inherent value of business data is what makes it the #1 target for cybercriminals. From ransomware that halts operations to accidental (or intentional) leaks that invite fines and create reputational damage, the threats are multiplying.
Too many SMBs remain unaware and exposed, vulnerable to the wrong click, a long data access outage, or an unanswerable question from a regulator.
Some SMBs already know they need help, although too often this realisation comes after a ransomware scare, a failed restore test, or a near miss with a compliance audit.
As Artificial Intelligence enters the mainstream, it has shone a harsh light on the lag and gaps in SMB data strategies, from infrastructure and architecture, security and continuity, through to management, compliance and governance.
Today, data is both a catalyst for growth and innovation, and a significant inhibitor to the uptake of emerging technologies that are needed to drive those outcomes.
As a result, SMBs are shifting gears and prioritising investments that enable both better use and better protection of their data assets.
This is evident in the data from Crayon’s Future of Operations study which shows the solutions they will adopt to support their business strategies:
All of this signals a growing need, and that data protection should be on the agenda for your next customer meeting, (if it’s not already).
The data shows that many SMBs are already moving to address gaps between their cybersecurity and continuity platforms and processes.
For partners, this presents a prime opportunity to position Data Protection plays that encompass both.
Crayon’s Data Protection Playbook series is designed to help you take these conversations to market, quickly and confidently.
Spanning four stages of customer and partner maturity, the Data Protection Playbook series guides partners through the customer maturity lifecycle, from the fundamentals of secure backup and recovery to orchestrated, AI-driven assurance.
Establishing reliable backups, secure storage and foundational governance.
Reducing tool sprawl, hardening the environment with immutability, and introducing automation to drive efficiencies, remove complexity and reduce compliance burden.
Advancing automation into use of AI-driven solutions that link protection, performance and cost control.
Creating closed-loop, self-healing systems of data protection that deliver continuous, certifiable assurance.
Each Playbook tracks how your scope as a partner expands across the customer maturity lifecycle, providing practical approaches you can use to steer the conversation over time.
Download the first Data Protection Playbook: Pre-Adoption and Exploration today!
Insights
SMB customers are storing greater volumes of sensitive data in more places than ever. Secure backup and recovery practices are essential to how they protect it.
Insights
Insider risk is a subtle and continuous challenge for SMB customers. Turn it into a manageable and quantifiable aspect of their Data Protection strategy.
Blogs
From rethinking backup to governance frameworks and behavioural analytics, what's involved in building a complete Data Protection strategy for SMB customers?
Sales and Marketing
Business leaders don't live in the tools. They live in the outcomes. The metrics they care about most are not always limited to compliance and risk. So how do you connect data protection to the big-ticket objectives, when they're less obvious? Our in-house pre-sales expert, Michael Brooke explains.
Guides and eBooks
As SMBs mature in the Data Protection lifecycle, they need help to optimise spend, reduce the compliance burden and ensure results align to business objectives. The third installment of our Data Protection Playbook series provides practical guidance for partners on how to address emerging pressure and connect ongoing investment to measurable business value.
Training
Copilot Agents: what are they and how do they differ from AI assistants and chatbots? Our in-house Copilot expert Ksenia Turner explains the use cases and service opportunities for partners.
Blogs
Fragmented data protection systems and processes create compliance proof-gaps for SMB customers. Scott Hagenus, Director, Cybersecurity here at Crayon explains.
Sales and Marketing
Ever wonder why a pitch has some IT Managers leaning forward, while others glaze over? Michael Brooke, Cybersecurity Pre-Sales Lead offers some insight on how to tune your approach to chime with different technical mindsets.
Guides and eBooks
How can partners help their SMB customers to move from silos of security and continuity to a more cohesive, measurable and insurable data protection framework? The second edition in our Data Protection Playbook series maps out their journey, and yours.
Vendor Announcements
Copilot for Business has landed at Microsoft Ignite 2025, levelling the GenAI playing field for SMB customers. Learn all about it from our man on the ground, Andreas Bergman.
Press Release
Press Release
Blogs
As cybersecurity and continuity converge in platforms and in practice, partners need new playbooks to address modern Data Protection standards. Our in-house cybersecurity pre-sales lead, Michael Brooke explains why.
Guides and eBooks
What triggers an SMB customer to begin exploring their need for better Data Protection? The first of our four Data Protection Playbooks for partners breaks down how to position and win in the Pre-Adoption and Exploration stage.
Insights
Data Protection priorities are shifting for SMBs. Ramp up your ability to respond with curated insights, articles and resources to help you guide every customer conversation with confidence.
Partner Spotlight
In this Partner Spotlight, Acceltech Managing Director Ivy Tarrobago shares how Crayon’s responsive support enhances client outcomes and business growth.
Whitepapers
Data Protection is a must for all SMBs but how can partners align solution investment with critical business objectives? Our latest paper shows you how.
Press Release
Crayon has been recognised with a huge double win at the CRN Channel Asia awards ceremony.
Insights
All the latest insights, articles and resources on M365 Copilot, curated into one place.
Partner Spotlight
Bigfish Technology saved AU$20,000 on its annual Microsoft licensing after one call with Crayon and has since built a strong partnership that enabled Bigfish to get access to Crayon’s expertise and vendor ecosystem.
Insights
We explore the evolution of Microsoft's channel strategy over the past ten years, and what can be learned by viewing it through a Value Cycle lens.
Guides and eBooks
The Microsoft Fabric Partner Guide curates our recent articles, videos and resources to accelerate Crayon partner learning.
Insights
Copilot readiness amongst SMBs in APAC is moving from curiosity to consideration, and increasingly, to action. We look at the data on SMB business and IT objectives, how Copilot aligns and the emerging opportunities for partners.
Insights
In part three of our six-part vlog series, Dr. Joseph Sweeney maps out the service and solution opportunities for partners when preparing SMB customers for Copilot adoption.
On Demand Webinars
Explore the business-critical priorities pushing SMBs to invest in cybersecurity and data privacy, with 76% rating it a top concern for 2025.
Insights
Deliver data-driven value with Power BI and harness the growing SMB customer demand for data analytics and visualisation.
Business
Find out why Veeam Immutable Backup is a solution fit for responding to increased demand for optimised security in backup and recovery data.
News
Explore how Malaysian businesses can navigate data residency challenges and capitalise on new opportunities with Microsoft's local data centre. Discover solutions to strengthen compliance, security, and performance.
Blogs
Explore how Crayon gets partners and their customers on the road to data-led innovation and growth.
Blogs
To plan the ultimate Data Value party for your customers, you need to set data free to mingle!
Guides and eBooks
Mission essentials for winning data protection business in education, healthcare, retail and manufacturing.
