Downtime can cost small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) up to $25,000 per hour. With data loss becoming a common issue amidst cyberattacks and natural disasters, you should have a plan in place to prevent costly downtime. Cloud disaster recovery (DR) is a solution to this problem, helping you protect your data and ensure business continuity (BC) in the face of a disaster. While this system can be very beneficial for businesses of all sizes, it’s important to have a provider implement it so you can realize its full potential.
Experts will integrate the cloud DR solution into your existing infrastructure and tailor it to your business needs. They’ll also manage and test it regularly, so you can focus on running your business. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of cloud disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) and how to choose the right provider.
How Cloud Disaster Recovery Works
Cloud disaster recovery works by replicating your data continuously into a cloud environment. That way, if a disruption happens, a failover process can start, switching your operations to the cloud so you don’t lose data. Essentially, cloud DR has two processes:
- Orchestration, or coordinating failover and quickly recovering data.
- Recovery testing, or validating the DR plan’s effectiveness and spotting issues before they occur.
To use the cloud DR system, you need to integrate it with your on-premises infrastructure. A managed IT team can do this, making sure it’s compatible with your applications and functions properly in a disaster.
Benefits of Cloud Disaster Recovery
Cloud disaster recovery as a service can benefit your business in many ways, protecting your data and keeping operations running smoothly:
Cost Savings
A cloud DR solution can save your business a lot of money by helping you avoid downtime and data loss. Unlike a traditional DR solution, you don’t need to invest in costly hardware or infrastructure. A Cloud DR solution uses a pay-as-you-go model, so you only pay for what you use.
Scalability and Flexibility
With cloud DR, you can scale resources up or down depending on what your business needs and how it changes over time. The solution can also support various types of workloads and applications, making it highly versatile.
Faster Recovery Times
Cloud DR can provide near-instant failover capabilities, helping you reduce downtime and its associated costs. Compared to traditional DR, cloud DR usually recovers data much faster, storing it in multiple places so you can access it wherever and whenever you need it.
Improved Reliability and Redundancy
Reliability and redundancy are critical aspects of cloud DR. The solution replicates your data so that you can access it across multiple locations. With built-in redundancy, you can rest assured that your data is safe and accessible even in a disaster.
Accessibility
Cloud DR solutions mean you can access your data from anywhere with an internet connection. Work remotely with this system and ensure business continuity while on the go.
Challenges of Implementing Cloud Disaster Recovery
It can be challenging to implement a cloud disaster recovery plan without the help of professionals. Challenges can include:
- Complexity: Designing and configuring a cloud DR solution can be complex, as it requires expertise in cloud platforms, networking and security. Managed service providers will design and implement the system for you, which can help save you time and avoid issues down the road.
- Security and compliance concerns: Cloud disaster recovery compliance is crucial, helping you secure sensitive information and meet industry regulations. However, these regulations can be complex to fully understand and follow. That’s why professional implementation is so important — experts can make sure your system is secure and complies with data security regulations.
- Testing and maintenance: Cloud DR requires regular testing to make sure it works well and can protect your business from data loss. It might need routine maintenance or updates, which can be time-consuming to do on your own. A managed service provider will do these tasks for you, ensuring business continuity and protecting your business in the event of a disaster.
- Integrating with your existing systems: When implementing cloud DR, you need to make sure that it’s compatible with your on-premises infrastructure. This is yet another complex task that professionals are fully trained to handle for you. They can make sure your system works with your applications.
- Lack of internal expertise: Cloud DR requires continuous management to make sure it functions. Many businesses don’t have the expertise to do this. Without help, you might have trouble configuring it or adapting it to your business as it grows over time. Partnering with a managed service provider can help bridge this expertise gap.
What to Look for in a Managed IT Team for Cloud Disaster Recovery
When choosing a managed IT team, you need a partner with the expertise to design, implement and manage your solution the right way. A strong team will also test your system and handle issues before they can escalate, making sure the DR plan is successful. Here’s what to look for in a provider:
Experience With Cloud Platforms
The team you choose should have the right experience with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. They should know how each platform’s DR features work and best practices for implementing them. Your provider should also be able to recommend a platform best suited for your business, configuring it as needed.
Expertise in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning
Look for a team with a proven track record in cloud DR and business continuity planning. They should start by assessing your business needs and developing the DR plan around those. Your provider should also be able to guide you through the process, from consultation to management.
Strong Security Focus
Security is a crucial part of cloud DR, so make sure that your chosen IT team understands cloud security and best practices. They’ll need to know about data encryption, for instance, as well as access controls and tools for detecting threats. A strong IT team will know how to protect your data in the cloud.
Proactive Monitoring and Support
Your IT provider should be able to proactively manage your cloud DR solution, knowing how to spot issues and resolve them before they occur. Choose a provider that offers 24/7 support and has an escalation process in place so you can avoid downtime.
Compliance Knowledge
Compliance is crucial, especially if your business is in a regulated industry. The managed IT team you choose should have in-depth knowledge of relevant regulations for your business, like patient privacy laws, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). They can ensure that your cloud DR solution meets these requirements so you don’t run into compliance issues.
Clear Communication and Reporting
Effective communication is crucial for a successful partnership, so make sure your provider communicates clearly and regularly. You should always know about your DR environment’s status, as your team should flag potential issues and show you the results of each test. A good IT provider will also give you detailed reports on key metrics and performance indicators.
Morefield — Your Local Cloud Disaster Recovery Experts
Ensure your business continuity with a robust cloud disaster recovery plan. Morefield can help with comprehensive cloud DR solutions designed for your unique business needs. Our experts understand how important data protection is and focus on regulatory and internal compliance in our cloud DR solutions. We’ll design, implement and manage your system so that it meets regulatory requirements, helping you protect your data and drive productivity at your facility.
Keep your business running smoothly with Morefield’s managed IT solutions. Contact us today for a consultation and see how our cloud disaster recovery solution can ensure business continuity in the face of any disruption.
