Disaster Recovery Services_

While often used interchangeably, disaster recovery and business continuity are distinct but related concepts. Disaster recovery focuses specifically on the technical aspects of restoring IT infrastructure and data after a disruptive event. It addresses the “how” of getting systems back online.

Business continuity, on the other hand, is a broader, more holistic approach that encompasses all aspects of keeping a business operational during and after any kind of disruption. It addresses the “what” and “why” of maintaining essential business functions.

Essentially, disaster recovery is about restoring technology, while business continuity is about maintaining business operations.

Determining your RTO and RPO is crucial for effective disaster recovery planning. The RTO defines the maximum acceptable downtime for a system or application. It’s how long your business can afford to be without that particular resource.

The RPO, conversely, defines the maximum acceptable data loss in the event of a disaster. It’s how much data you’re willing to lose.

Calculating these metrics requires a business impact analysis (BIA). This analysis identifies critical business functions and assesses the impact of their unavailability. For RTO, consider the financial losses, reputational damage and operational disruptions that would occur with different downtime durations. For RPO, consider the value of the data and the impact of its loss on business operations, compliance, and legal obligations.

Once you understand the potential consequences, you can set realistic RTO and RPO targets for each critical system, which will then inform your DR strategy and technology choices.

Several disaster recovery strategies exist, each with varying levels of complexity, cost and recovery speed.

A “cold site” is a basic option, providing a physical space with minimal infrastructure. It’s the least expensive but requires significant time to set up.

A “warm site” offers some pre-configured hardware and software, reducing the setup time compared to a cold site.

A “hot site” is a fully equipped, mirrored environment that can be activated almost immediately, offering the fastest recovery but at the highest cost.

“Pilot light” involves a minimal version of the production environment running constantly, allowing for faster recovery than a warm site.

“Backup and restore” is a fundamental strategy involving regular data backups and restoration procedures.

The best strategy depends on your RTO/RPO requirements, budget and the criticality of the systems being protected.

Regular testing is essential to ensure your disaster recovery plan is effective and up to date. The frequency of testing depends on several factors, including the complexity of your IT infrastructure, the rate of change in your business environment and industry best practices.

At a minimum, you should conduct a full-scale disaster recovery test at least annually.

IT service providers offer valuable expertise and support for disaster recovery, helping organisations develop, implement and manage effective recovery plans. They can conduct thorough risk assessments and business impact analyses to identify vulnerabilities and prioritise critical systems.

Providers can design and implement robust backup and replication solutions, ensuring data is securely stored and readily available. They can also set up and manage alternate recovery sites, whether physical or cloud-based, and develop detailed recovery procedures.

Furthermore, IT service providers can offer ongoing monitoring and maintenance of DR systems, ensuring they remain functional and up-to-date. They can also conduct regular disaster recovery testing and provide post-disaster support, helping organisations quickly restore operations and minimise downtime.