Tech Hiring Q&A with Backup Software and Data Protection Company Acronis

Ransomware, data breaches and natural disasters; all things that wreak havoc on your data. Whether it’s important files, business documents or your precious photos, it’s important to have backups in case you lose access to your originals. Acronis, founded in 2003, develops software for disaster recovery, ransomware protection, file sync and backup, and more for enterprise and consumers. The company currently has 18 offices around the world with nearly 1,000 employees. If you’re interested in a career in designing next generation data protection solutions, here’s some insight from Cassie Wagner, HR & Recruiting Specialist at Acronis.

Before all the cyber threats, most people used anti-virus software and felt that was enough to protect their computer. Today it seems everyone from consumers to enterprise needs a whole army of software to guard against potential threats. How has Acronis evolved in the security space?

Acronis takes pride in its rapid and advanced technology innovation cycle. The new features have a heavy focus on advancing the Acronis product towards Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Intelligent Storage Algorithms, Advanced Security, and Encryption. We have continuously evolved to provide our customers with backup software that delivers cutting-edge technology and innovative features.

What types of positions are you hiring for right now?

We hire for departments across the board at any given time. We continue investing in top talents in RnD Labs, Sales, and Business Support. For a complete list of open positions at Acronis please see our Open Positions section of the Careers page.

Have you had difficulty finding tech talent?

The unemployment rate is down across the country, which means it is harder to find available talent, especially in the Greater Boston area, as it is booming with new and growing tech companies. On average, it takes us 30 to 45 days to acquire new talent. For top tech talent positions, it could take as many as 45-60 days.

What skills and background does a candidate need to be successful at Acronis?

Talent and experience are always assessed right off the bat. But to really be successful here, we have seen that aptitude, intelligence, drive/determination, strong work ethic, perseverance, mental strength, problem solving ability, and creativity (ie. “thinking outside of the box”) are really what set people up for success here at Acronis.

Like every other position at Acronis, we look for people who embody all 5 of our company values: responsive, alert, detail oriented, makes decisions, and never gives up. 

What’s your interview process like?

First stage:

• HR phone screen (culture fit, work ethic, and personality assessment; obtain compensation requirements, availability, interests. If viable candidate, will outline the interview process and schedule next step with hiring manager)
• Hiring Manager screen (technical & experience assessment)

Second stage:

• Team Interviews (technical, experience, team fit, culture fit, aptitude, and overall assessments, depending on the level and position)
• Onsite office tour with HR

Final Stage: (for Senior level and Management positions)

• Executive leader interview

Team Review:

• I schedule a 30-60min team meeting, to sit down with the hiring manager and interview team to discuss the feedback and to come together to make a decision.

Verbal & Written Offer:

• Candidate hopefully accepts, and they join the A-Team!

Computer security is such a vital part of our world today. What technologies do you use in products to stay ahead?

Our goal is to ensure everyone has reliable, easy, and secure backup solutions. Developing a way to protect all your data – both original files and backup files – is part of how we can meet that goal. Using artificial intelligence-based technology, machine learning, and behavioral heuristics, our new Acronis Active Protection easily detects ransomware, suspends malicious processes and instantly restores any encrypted data from backup. We work to make sure we keep Acronis backup files safe and sound.