As the scale and frequency of cyberattacks grow, and extreme weather events become more intense and erratic, the need to have a rigorous and detailed disaster recovery plan has never been more important. At any moment, your data could be at risk of breach or loss. Are you prepared? While there are numerous critical elements of an IT disaster recovery plan, one of the most basic but essential questions becomes: Where are your data backups stored?
Location, Location, Location
Location is one of the most significant factors when preparing a disaster recovery plan for your agency. Data is the lifeblood of most organizations, so it must be both securely stored and readily available when needed. Never is that more apparent than in the face of a disaster. Access to communication systems, assuredness of business continuity, peace of mind for anxious constituents – the reasons to ensure safe and accessible data are manifold. So, where should you store data so that it can be protected and recovered when needed? We’ve outlined some of the key considerations and options for storing data backups effectively.
Choosing Cloud Storage, Off-site Data Centers, or a Hybrid Approach
Organizations can choose to host data backups either in the cloud, at an off-site data center, or with some combination of the two. A few factors will help inform IT managers when making that determination:
- Cloud Storage | Cloud storage is a popular choice for disaster recovery due to its scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Organizations may easily increase storage capacity as data grows without significant infrastructure investments. You’ll pay only for the storage you use, often with lower upfront costs compared to on-premise solutions. What’s more, you can access your data from anywhere, enabling quick recovery in case of a disaster.
- Off-Site Data Centers | Using off-site data centers provides a secure and controlled environment for storing data backups. These data centers have advanced security measures, including surveillance, access controls, and environmental controls. Off-site locations ensure data is safe from localized disasters (like a flood or tornado) that could impact your primary site. Typically, these off-site data centers comply with rigorous industry standards and regulations, ensuring your data is stored in a compliant manner.
- Hybrid Approach | A hybrid approach combines the benefits of off-site and cloud storage, offering the best of both worlds. This strategy can enable faster data recovery, minimizing downtime in the event of a disaster. Storing additional backups in the cloud ensures data safety in case of physical damage to local infrastructure. Your organization can tailor your storage solution to meet specific needs that balance cost, speed, and security.
Whether you choose cloud storage, off-site data centers, or a hybrid approach, each option offers unique benefits tailored to different organizational needs – so you can keep the wheels turning, even in a worst-case scenario.
Far, But Not Too Far
Choosing to store redundant data at an off-site location can be a smart strategy for many agencies. Storing backups in multiple geographic locations enhances disaster recovery capabilities by ensuring that data is safe from regional disasters. This helps protect against extreme natural elements, power outages, and other disruptions.
Just remember: You’ll want to select an off-site data center that’s far enough away that the probability of a disaster striking both facilities (your main location and the off-site data center) is very minimal. But you don’t want your data too far away, as that could impact access speeds and system performance. The recovery location should strike that perfect middle ground to avoid any latency between data transmission and access, while also mitigating the risk of localized disasters affecting multiple datacenters.
You’ll also want to check what government mandates might control where your data is stored. For compliance with federal regulations, some data is required to be kept within our national borders. This helps ensure a standardized approach to data security, limiting the risk of data falling into the hands of adversaries.
Not Sure Where to Store Your Backup Data? Engage a Managed DRaaS Provider
Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) not only ensures that you have a detailed and appropriate-for-your-organization disaster recovery plan, it also helps future-proof that plan through continuous management, maintenance, monitoring, adaptation, and expansion. DRaaS solutions will alleviate your internal IT department, lowering both the cost of resources and employee time dedicated to disaster preparedness and recovery.
Engaging a managed DRaaS provider can simplify the process of storing and managing data backups. You’ll benefit from access to professionals with specialized knowledge in disaster recovery and data management, streamlined processes and advanced technologies (which ensure quick and effective data recovery), and ongoing support and monitoring to ensure your data remains secure and recoverable, no matter what.
If you still have questions about disaster recovery or where to store your data backups, we’re here to help! GovDataHosting has decades of experience in cost-effective disaster recovery managed services, including planning, documentation, and testing. Get in touch to find out how we can protect your most valuable assets.
