Disaster recovery has always been an important consideration for businesses of all sizes. With the growing reliance on technology, the need for a comprehensive disaster recovery plan has become even more pressing. One solution that has gained popularity in recent years is Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS).

DRaaS is a cloud-based solution that provides businesses with a comprehensive plan for failing over to an almost instantly available mirror image of the live environment in the event of a disruptive event. How does this work in practice?

1. A mirror image of the entire digital environment – operating system, installed applications & data is created on a virtual server that’s housed in a secure encrypted, “always on” data centre.
2. The virtual server is accessed via a private cloud connection that’s only accessible to authorised users (and is not available in the public domain).
3. A frequent (daily or more frequent) data set containing changed data is constantly updating the private cloud data instance.
4. In the event of a disaster or merely a disruptive event which results in the live transactional environment becoming inaccessible or unusable (think natural disaster; equipment failure; cyber-attack etc.), authorised users are given secure access to the private cloud within minutes and can continue transacting as if there was no disruption at all.

Due to the way that the disaster fail-over environment is configured (and constantly updated), the RTO (restore time objective – the amount of time required from the time of the disruption to the time that transacting can continue) is minimal (usually less than 30 minutes!)

Because the latest data is frequently being added to the initial image upload, the RPO (restore point objective) – the time between the most recent backup and the time of the disruptive event, is also minimal. This means that few or no transactions will be lost during the disruption.

As a result, by taking advantage of the cloud, businesses of all sizes can take advantage of the cost-effectiveness, scalability, and accessibility it provides, rather than investing in expensive on-premise hardware or even more expensive “hot-desk” alternative physical environments. One of the biggest benefits of DRaaS is that it helps protect against data loss. Businesses can store backups of their data in a secure, off-site location, ensuring that the information is safe and accessible in case of a disaster. Additionally, the speed and ease with which data and systems can be restored minimize downtime and keep businesses running during a crisis.

Another advantage of DRaaS is its cost-effectiveness. Traditional disaster recovery solutions can be very expensive, requiring significant upfront investments and ongoing maintenance costs. However, DRaaS provides a more cost-effective alternative, with low upfront costs and scalable pricing that adapts to the specific needs of each business. DRaaS is also highly customizable, allowing businesses to choose the level of protection they require and tailoring the solution to their specific needs. This is particularly important for businesses that operate in regulated industries, as they need to comply with specific industry standards and regulations.

Essentially, DRaaS is an effective and cost-efficient solution for businesses looking to protect their data and systems in case of a disaster. By taking advantage of the cloud, businesses can enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive disaster recovery plan without the high costs associated with traditional solutions. Additionally, its flexibility allows organizations to align their disaster recovery plan with their specific needs, regulations, and compliance.

Get in touch with us or click here to start your company on its DRaaS journey.