Commvault has unveiled a new conversational AI capability that enables enterprises to manage backup and cyber resilience tasks through natural language interaction. The feature integrates with leading generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT Enterprise and Claude, making it possible to automate data protection with the ease of a simple conversation.
Conversational interface for enterprise resilience
Powered by Commvault’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, the new system acts as a secure, policy-based bridge between enterprise systems and generative AI assistants. This setup allows users to configure, monitor, and manage resilience workflows by simply typing or speaking commands to Commvault Cloud. Tasks such as setting up backups, checking recovery status, or scheduling protection jobs can now be executed through straightforward conversation.
Commvault describes the experience as similar to talking to a colleague, offering a more intuitive way to automate critical data protection processes while adhering to enterprise security requirements. The conversational interface supports all workloads protected by Commvault Cloud, including SaaS, cloud, and hybrid environments.
In a typical interaction, a user might ask if their DocuSign instance is backed up. The AI assistant, connected via the MCP server, could respond by identifying the lack of a backup configuration and offering to create one automatically. Once authorised, it can execute the setup, generate job details, and establish ongoing backup schedules.
Enhancing efficiency with AI-powered simplicity
Christopher N. Colla, Vice President of Information Technology and CIO at B&G Foods, said the system helps IT teams focus on strategy rather than repetitive administration. “With this kind of AI simplicity, we can spend less time managing routine backup jobs and more time thinking about how to strengthen our resilience strategy. It’s so easy to ask our AI assistant to handle a backup or check a recovery status — it’s the same way we ask it to write an email or summarise a report. Now, that same simplicity applies to keeping our data safe.”
Industry analysts have also recognised the potential of Commvault’s approach. Johnny Yu, Research Manager at IDC, noted that the solution represents a “pragmatic application of GenAI for data protection.” He explained that while it does not focus on full AI autonomy, it improves the human–machine interface and sets the stage for future automation by embedding accountability into every AI-driven action.
Secure, compliant, and policy-driven automation
Commvault emphasises that security and compliance are central to its conversational AI framework. All interactions occur through the MCP server, which enforces authentication, access control, and encryption policies. The company stated that it does not use customer data to train external AI models, ensuring privacy under Commvault’s data protection standards.
“By adopting the Model Context Protocol, we’re giving enterprises the foundation to automate recovery and protection workflows within the guardrails of the NIST Risk Management Framework — auditable, policy-driven, and role-based access controlled,” said Pranay Ahlawat, Chief Technology and AI Officer at Commvault. He added that this approach combines simplicity with transparency, paving the way for “agentic resilience” where AI can safely act on behalf of teams.
The conversational capability is designed to make data protection faster and more transparent. Users can launch jobs, check system health, or view coverage within seconds by asking direct questions. Commvault’s unified approach ensures the same experience across all supported environments.
Availability
Commvault’s MCP server will enter private early access in November at Commvault SHIFT 2025. Public early access is expected in early 2026, with general availability planned for spring 2026. The company is also exploring additional integrations with other enterprise-grade generative AI platforms.
