The top channel vendors as backup shifts to governance

With the UK’s Data Protection and Digital Information Act maturing alongside the NIS2 requirements, end user demand has shifted from a "backup-first" mentality to a "governance-first" resilience model.

What does this mean for the channel, and what vendors combine the solutions that your customers need with channel-friendly go-to-market? Choosing backup and data governance vendors wisely is vital for UK partners needing much more than a vault for data - a platform that proves they are keeping it legally and securely is very much the order of the day in 2026.

Here we look into the vendor landscape for MSPs and VARs, from "channel-friendliness" including features like GBP billing, UK-sovereign data centres, and AI-driven automated compliance reporting.

First, a look at the heavyweights that combine channel-first with cloud-level scale.

Veeam: The "data resilience" standard

Veeam remains the dominant force in the UK channel due to its "freedom of choice" philosophy. In 2026, its focus has shifted toward Cyber Resilience, bolstered by its acquisition of Coveware.

Why it’s channel friendly: Veeam’s ProPartner Programme is arguably the most mature in the UK, offering aggressive margins and high-touch local support in Reading and London.

Governance edge: The Veeam Data Platform now includes "Malware Detection" that scans backups in real-time. For governance, its automated "Recovery Verification" provides the audit trails needed for UK GDPR compliance without manual intervention.

Acronis: The "single pane of glass" for MSPs

One partner quipped to us, "if every vendor that claims to have a "single pane of glass" actually did, I'd have enough panels to refit the Shard!". But Acronis has effectively won over the SMB and mid-market MSP space by merging backup with cybersecurity, so in our view it's the closest there is.

Why it’s channel friendly: Its Cyber Protect Cloud is natively multi-tenant and "white-label" ready. In 2026, its integration with UK-centric PSAs (like HaloPSA) is seamless.

Governance edge: Acronis includes automated patch management and vulnerability scanning. Its data residency options are vast, with multiple UK-based data centres ensuring data never leaves the 44 prefix.

Next, let's look at the newer wave of "governance-native" disruptors.

Druva: SaaS-first sovereignty

Druva has seen a massive surge in the UK in 2026 because it is 100% SaaS. There’s no hardware to manage, making it a favorite for partners looking to lower their carbon footprint and operational overhead.

Why it’s channel friendly: Their MSP Central console allows for rapid onboarding. Billing is simplified—no hidden storage egress fees, which is a common pain point for UK partners.

Governance edge: Druva’s Data Resiliency Cloud features built-in "Sensitive Data Discovery." It can automatically flag if a backup contains PII (Personally Identifiable Information) that violates UK GDPR, a massive value-add for governance-conscious clients.

Rubrik: The "zero trust" powerhouse

For  UK partners selling to enterprise-level customers, Rubrik is the go-to for "cyber recovery."

Why it’s channel friendly: Their "Transform" partner program rewards partners who lead with security services. They provide extensive technical resources for building a "Cyber Recovery Center" (CRC).

Governance edge: Rubrik’s NAS Cloud Direct and AI-powered Ruby assistant allow partners to query their data environment using natural language (e.g., "Show me all files containing NI numbers that haven't been accessed in 2 years").

Next, let's look at the trend of the last 18 months or so.

The rise of "agentic recovery"

The biggest shift in 2025 and 2026 is the move toward agentic recovery. Top-tier vendors have introduced AI agents that don't just alert you to a failure; they proactively remediate it.

Example: If a UK partner's client suffers a partial ransomware hit at 2:00 AM when the security team are all tucked up in their beds, a 2026-era backup platform such as Cohesity or Veeam will automatically spin up a clean "sandbox" copy, run a malware scan, and notify the partner that the system is ready for one-click restoration before the morning shift starts.

How to choose your backup and data governance partners

When evaluating vendors take it all the way back to the "Three S's":

• Sovereignty: Can they guarantee data remains in the UK?
• Service: Do they have UK-based SEs (Systems Engineers) available during GMT hours?
• Simplicity: Does their governance reporting align with the UK NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) guidelines?

Of course there's more, such as margins, partner programme and how channel-centric each vendor is, but the three S's are a good place to start from a technology perspective.