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If you own a small or growing business, disaster recovery is an area that you should never overlook. A report by SecurityBrief UK revealed that 42% of small businesses reported a cyberattack in the last year. A cyberattack on a small business can be disastrous for the company, with many declaring bankruptcy as a result.
If you haven’t already planned for disaster recovery, now is the time to do so. If you don’t have an in-house team, you can also outsource DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service). However, it’s important to choose a provider that meets your business needs.
If you’re looking for a DRaaS provider, we’ll guide you through making the right choice. Here’s what to look for when you’re evaluating potential DRaaS partners and why it matters.
1. Understand Your Recovery Objectives
Before comparing providers, it’s important to identify which systems or data you need to recover and how quickly you need to do so in case of a disaster. Most providers will discuss two key metrics: Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). RTO refers to how quickly your systems must be restored, while RPO indicates how much data your business can afford to lose. Understanding your RTO and RPO will help you filter out providers who cannot meet your specific recovery needs.
2. Scalability That Doesn’t Box You In
An effective DRaaS solution should support you even if your company expands quickly. It should be able to function in a variety of environments, including virtual machines and physical servers, and manage various workloads. With every upgrade, you shouldn’t have to come up with a new disaster recovery plan. A good way to ensure this would be to see if the provider makes it easy to increase your backup capacity, upgrade configurations, and add or remove users.
3. Security and Compliance Should Be Non-Negotiable
A disaster recovery plan needs its own safeguards to ensure it holds up when the rest of your systems fail. If your DRaaS provider complies with standards like GDPR, ISO 27001, or SOC 2, they’re likely in a strong position to protect your data.
It’s also important to ask your provider about their encryption practices, both during data transfer and while it’s stored. These are basic security measures that every provider should offer to keep your data safe.
4. Data Centre Location and Redundancy
When entrusting someone with your data, it’s important to know exactly where it will be stored. If your provider only has one data centre, that could pose a risk. A reliable provider will have multiple data centres in different locations, so if one fails, the others can handle the load. This setup reduces the risk of downtime and ensures your organisation can meet data residency requirements.
5. Don’t Skip The Testing Conversation
The most effective disaster recovery plan is only useful when it’s most needed. Enquire with your provider about the frequency with which disaster recovery drills are conducted. Additionally, check if your SLA allows you to conduct your own tests. Regular testing ensures that your recovery plan is more than just a document on a server. It is a reliable process that can be implemented when necessary.
6. Look at the Support Model
Having a support system is not just required for troubleshooting. In disaster recovery, you need someone you can connect with immediately when you cannot afford to lose time. Your provider should ideally offer 24/7 technical support, a dedicated account manager, and assistance with setup and monitoring.
You should also ask them about how support tickets are prioritised. If you’re mid-crisis, you don’t want to be waiting in the same queue as someone who is trying to reset their password.
7. Check the Cost and Focus on the Fine Print
DRaaS pricing can look simple on the surface, but it’s best to dig a little deeper. Confirm with your provider if there are additional costs for testing and simulations, data recovery during an event, or exceeding backup limits. A transparent pricing model will help you budget accordingly and avoid being surprised later. A provider that saves you £100 a month but fails when you need them could cost you more in the long run.
Final Thoughts
When you’re choosing a DRaaS provider, you shouldn’t just focus on the specifications. The right provider will advise you on what systems work best for your organisation and what you should do once you start scaling.
The right partner will not just protect your data; they will also support your team when it matters the most. Make sure to ask questions and test the service before you commit to avoid worrying in times of crisis.
Also read:
Why Your Business Needs a Disaster Recovery Plan: What It Is and How to Create One
Backups vs. Disaster Recovery: What is Better to Choose?
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