Data centers handle huge amounts of critical information. When outages happen, companies can experience significant financial losses, security breaches or data corruption. With so much at risk, disaster recovery planning is critical for the data industry.
Whether a company is facing a natural disaster or might experience unexpected power failures and cyberattacks, preparation can change everything. A well-thought-out disaster recovery plan (DRP) ensures operations resume as quickly as possible. Data center operators can use these tips to build a better disaster recovery strategy.
1. Perform a Risk Assessment
The first step in building a DRP is performing a risk assessment. When the average cost of a data breach is $4.88 million, data centers need to understand their risks to prevent significant losses. Cyberattacks, environmental events, networks and power outages can all threaten data.
Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment lets companies consider the likelihood and impact of different risks. Identifying these areas allows data center teams to set aside resources and develop strategies for each scenario. Use regular risk assessments to keep risk evaluations updated so the team is ready for new and constant threats.
2. Create Data Backups
Regular data backups are critical for disaster recovery. Backups ensure that even when a disaster affects physical infrastructure, teams can recover data. Use on-site storage and cloud services to create secure data backups.
Best practices for creating data backups include storing them in multiple locations and automating the process. Off-site and cloud facilities keep data secure and accessible during disasters. Data centers should regularly test backups to confirm that data is recoverable. Backups need to be reliable and up to date to work effectively.
3. Integrate Cybersecurity
Disaster recovery is about more than physical threats – data centers also need to be ready for cyberattacks. Threat actors target sensitive data with ransomware and data breaches. A good DRP should integrate cybersecurity measures like:
- Firewalls
- Encryption
- Intrusion detection systems
Data can become vulnerable during a disaster. Data centers must avoid internal and external security risks during these times. Use robust cybersecurity protocols in the DRP to protect sensitive information at all times.
4. Designate Team Members
An effective DRP is about more than just technology – you need people to make it successful. Designate disaster recovery team members in advance to prevent confusion. These team members should handle different aspects of recovery and know their responsibilities well.
A disaster recovery team might include IT personnel who deal with system restoration, operations managers who oversee the process and security specialists who keep data secure throughout recovery. All team members should be trained and well-prepared for potential disasters. Data centers should use regular drills to keep teams updated on procedures and roles.
5. Establish the Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
The RTO is a data center’s maximum downtime between the disaster happening and operations resuming. Establishing a clear RTO ensures employees restore the most important systems quickly. Some data or features are more critical for operations, so they should have shorter RTOs than other systems.
When setting RTOs, data center operators need to balance business needs with recovery realities. Not everything can be restored instantly after a complication. Operators should communicate with stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page. Clear RTOs help prioritize personnel and technology during recovery.
6. Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan
A DRP outlines the steps data center operators should take when responding to disasters. The DRP should cover all likely disaster scenarios for a company. DRPs must be comprehensive to work – lay out a clear sequence of events and actions for each situation.
Developing a DRP takes careful planning. Operators must identify essential systems and prioritize processes. Then, they should create detailed recovery procedures with designated personnel to carry them out. Keep stakeholders informed of the DRP, and ensure there are regular plan updates. A successful DRP should be ready at all times.
7. Test Regularly
Data center DRPs work best with testing. However, only 50% even test annually or less frequently. Avoiding testing can lead to recovery issues, affecting business reputation and security.
Operators must conduct scheduled drills to simulate different scenarios. The response team can then practice in real time, finding gaps and maximizing efficiency. Operators can evaluate the test results and adjust the DRP to eliminate weaknesses.
Frequent testing also keeps all team members familiar with their roles. Knowing the plan is helpful, but getting practical experience ensures everyone is prepared for a disaster. Test multiple times a year to keep the data center team ready for anything.
Protect Data Centers With Disaster Recovery Planning
Data centers need an effective DRP to protect critical data and prevent downtime. With a thorough plan, risk assessments and regular testing, operators can ensure they’re prepared for potential disasters. Combine proactive steps with preparation and keep businesses protected and stakeholders informed. Disaster recovery is about staying ready at all times – not just responding to an event. Data center operators can use the above tips to keep operations stable in the long term.
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