Cloud disaster recovery services provide a way for companies to keep their IT operations running even after an IT disaster. The services involve backing up and replicating workloads to a remote cloud server so that if a disaster occurs, business operations can be restored without any downtime or data loss.
These services are often referred to as backup as a service (BaaS), disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) or managed disaster recovery as a service (MDRaaS). Companies that use these solutions can choose from a variety of options, including self-service and fully managed versions.
A cloud DR solution eliminates the need for daily back-up with disks or tapes, as well as the cost of duplicate hardware and software. It also provides a pay-per-use model where organizations can increase or decrease the capacity of their virtual servers as required, reducing costs when they are idle and making them more efficient for use when needed. Additionally, geographically dispersed cloud servers offer geo-redundancy to protect against local disasters, such as fires and floods, as well as regional ones like hurricanes and earthquakes.
For companies that need to meet regulatory compliance requirements, a cloud DR solution with built-in orchestration and automation can make it easier for them to test their DR plans. This can be done on a regular basis without disrupting the production environment. It also helps them to improve their RPO and RTO, making it easier for them to meet uptime requirements.
However, a cloud DR solution may not be appropriate for every company or scenario. For example, it may not be possible to deploy a cloud-based DR solution for an organization that must comply with government regulations or industry standards such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and PCI DSS.
In addition, it may be difficult to implement a cloud DR solution in a region with limited connectivity. Ideally, a DR solution requires reliable and high-bandwidth connectivity to upload and synchronize backups and snapshots of production workloads. If this isn’t available, it can create an unavoidable lag between the primary and secondary site that can lead to data loss or problems with RTOs.
Considering all these factors, companies should carefully evaluate the different options for disaster recovery and decide what is the best fit for their unique needs. Ultimately, the decision should be made based on the company’s size, budget and the level of risk it can accept.
One of the top providers of cloud disaster recovery services is Recovery Point, which offers integrated business continuity and IT disaster recovery solutions. The provider has a broad client base that includes secure federal agencies, commercial customers and state and local governments. Its DRaaS solutions include subscription-based hot site, cold site and work area recovery services. Recovery Point has been recognized by Gartner in its 2020 Market Guide for DRaaS and is a trusted partner to many of the world’s leading brands. cloud disaster recovery services