The concept of disaster recovery may seem like an afterthought, but in today’s world of high customer expectations and ever-increasing cyber threats, it’s a critical aspect that every business must take seriously. A well-crafted and tested disaster recovery plan can help companies minimize downtime and loss of revenue and remain competitive even in the face of unexpected events.
Disaster recovery (DR) plans focus on recovering digital data files, cybersecurity and related elements if they are disrupted by a natural disaster, equipment failure or other event. Whether it’s a Category 4 hurricane that destroys an office building or a power surge zaps critical hardware, the consequences can be disastrous for businesses. Moreover, the growing number of cyber attacks and other threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeting business networks.
DR planning is similar to that of a business continuity strategy. Both involve a comprehensive approach to addressing unlikely events that could impact productivity, including planning for the worst and ensuring employees can continue working remotely if the need arises.
However, a DR plan typically addresses more unforeseen and complex issues than a business continuity strategy. It focuses on recovery from a disaster or a serious interruption to a company’s operations, including the need to resume production at a different location or using an alternative service provider.
A disaster recovery strategy can also include a roadmap for rebuilding infrastructure and other aspects of a business after the disruption. In this regard, it can provide a framework for coordinating efforts between local governments, federal agencies and other organizations and stakeholders that are involved in the recovery process.
Creating a disaster recovery plan involves mapping out assets, conducting a risk assessment, choosing a disaster recovery setup, testing and reviewing the plan. It also identifies what needs to be protected and how much downtime is acceptable.
IT teams can deploy a disaster recovery solution by creating an alternate site that has replicated and mirrored data, or they can use an automated DR as a service capability from a cloud vendor. Depending on the scope of their needs, some organizations opt to deploy DR separately from backup or converge them for optimal efficiency and cost reduction.
A disaster recovery plan allows businesses to ensure that all data is backed up, which protects against losing important digital files in the event of a crisis. It can also help businesses restore systems faster and return to productive operation after a disruptive event occurs. Technology experts at Solid Systems can guide businesses on their DR planning journey, offering roadmaps that see them making the most of existing tech and embracing innovative solutions to keep their business secure. Get in touch with us today to get started.