Agree with what every one is saying here...you need and want SQL backups.

The "benefits" have been well mentioned here already but wanted to point out that for DBs in simple mode or relatively small DB's that live on VM's, if your Tech department is taking an image/backup/clone of the VM itself...say after any ETLs/jobs have loaded the SQL Server with data for the day, then that would also be sufficient.

Of course, in attempts of becoming a DBA when I grow up I'd be the first to tell the Tech guys that I need my FULL, DIFF, and TLOG backups for at least a week in a safe, reliable, and remote location so i could do what needed to be done myself in the event of a DR scenario