Disaster Recovery Services_

Plan your response for when the worst happens and ensure a quick resolution that limits damage to your business.

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What is disaster recovery?

Disaster recovery is the process of restoring access to IT infrastructure and data after a disruptive event, like a natural disaster, cyber attack or human error. It involves a set of policies, tools and procedures that enable you to resume normal business operations as quickly and efficiently as possible.

In short, a DR plan outlines the steps needed to activate the backup systems and restore data, allowing the organisation to continue operating with minimal disruption.

Effective disaster recovery planning involves several key components: risk assessment, business impact analysis, recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO). Risk assessment identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities, while business impact analysis determines the criticality of various systems and data. RTO defines the maximum acceptable downtime for a system, and RPO specifies the maximum acceptable data loss in case of a disaster.

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Why do you need disaster recovery?

Disaster recovery is essential for any organisation that relies on IT systems and data to operate. Disaster events can disrupt operations, lead to data loss and ultimately impact the bottom line. A well-defined disaster recovery plan ensures that critical systems and data can be restored quickly, minimising downtime and allowing you to continue functioning even in the face of adversity.

Beyond simply restoring operations, disaster recovery plays a crucial role in protecting your reputation and maintaining customer trust. A robust DR plan demonstrates a commitment to business continuity and data protection, reassuring customers that their information is safe and that services will be restored promptly in case of a disruption.

Disaster recovery is often a regulatory requirement in many industries, particularly those handling sensitive data like healthcare and finance. Failure to meet these regulatory requirements can result in hefty fines and legal repercussions, making disaster recovery an indispensable part of any organisation’s risk management strategy.

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The benefits of disaster recovery_

Minimised downtime: Ensure rapid restoration of critical systems, minimising disruptions to business operations

Prevented data loss: Regular backups and offsite storage protect valuable data from loss or corruption during a disaster

Maintained continuity: Enable essential business functions to continue operating, even in a limited capacity, during a disruptive event

Protected reputation: Swift recovery demonstrates preparedness and reliability, preserving customer trust and brand image

Reduced financial impact: Mitigate the financial consequences of disruptions by minimising downtime and data loss

Enhanced security: Strengthening your overall cyber security posture with robust security measures

Ensured regulatory compliance: Meet legal and regulatory obligations if your industry requires DR plans as good practice

Improved operational efficiency: Develop and test your plan to identify and address vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure

What Infinity Group do to help_

We provide a wide range specialist of backup and disaster recovery services to help reduce the risk of unpredicted data loss.

Our team of specialist consultants work with many businesses to formulate their IT disaster recovery plan. The recovery plan forms part of a business continuity strategy and ensures the entire business is sufficiently backed up at regular intervals. We offer a one-minute response time on average, with 96% customer satisfaction across our service desk.

The disaster recovery solutions we offer can cover all areas within your IT setup, including applications networks, server and data storage, business applications, networks, servers and devices.

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Key disaster recovery areas_

Prevention: Proactively minimise the likelihood of disasters occurring in the first place, through robust security systems, regular maintenance and risk assessments

Recovery: Restoring systems and data after a disaster, including documented procedures, backup systems and alternate facilities

Continuity: Maintain essential business functions during and after a disaster, often by utilising temporary solutions or scaled-down operations until full recovery is achieved

Testing and planning: Regularly test your plan effectiveness, and update it as needed to reflect changes in technology and business needs.

Disaster Recovery FAQs

What is the difference between disaster recovery and business continuity?

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.

How do I determine my Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO)?

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.

What are the different types of disaster recovery strategies?

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.

How often should I test my disaster recovery plan?

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.

How can an IT service provider help with disaster recovery?

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.

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