How can you outsource IT disaster recovery?

1 Assess your DR needs

Before you look for a DR provider, you need to understand your own DR requirements and objectives. This includes identifying your critical IT systems and data, your recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs), your budget and resources, and your compliance and security standards. You also need to evaluate your current DR capabilities and gaps, and determine what level of service and support you expect from an outsourced DR provider.

2 Choose a suitable DR model

When it comes to disaster recovery, there are various models you can outsource depending on your needs and preferences. Backup as a Service (BaaS) is a popular choice, where you can outsource the backup and storage of your data to an external provider who can restore it in the event of a disaster. Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) involves replicating and recovering your entire IT infrastructure, such as applications, servers, and networks, to an external provider who can activate it in case of a disaster. Managed DR is another option, where you outsource the planning, testing and execution of your DR strategy to an external provider who can also provide consulting and training services. Each DR model has its own pros and cons, so it's important to carefully evaluate them and choose the one that best fits your business needs and budget.

3 Select a reliable DR provider

Once you have decided on a DR model, you need to find a trustworthy and competent DR provider who can deliver it. To do this, you need to conduct a thorough research and evaluation of potential providers. Consider criteria such as their experience and reputation in the DR market, technical capabilities and resources, service level agreements (SLAs) and guarantees, pricing and contract terms, security and compliance measures, and customer service and support. Additionally, ask for references and testimonials from their previous or existing clients, as well as request a demo or a trial of their DR services.

4 Implement and integrate your DR solution

Once you have selected a DR provider, you must integrate their DR solution with your existing IT infrastructure and processes. This includes installing and configuring the necessary hardware and software, establishing and testing network connectivity and bandwidth, setting up and verifying backup and replication schedules and policies, defining and documenting the roles and responsibilities of internal and external DR teams, as well as developing and updating your DR plan and procedures. It is important to work closely with your DR provider during this phase, communicating clearly and frequently to ensure a successful transition.

5 Test and monitor your DR solution

Testing and monitoring your DR solution regularly is essential to guarantee its effectiveness and reliability. This entails performing periodic DR tests and drills, such as failover, failback, and recovery scenarios. Additionally, you must review the test results and reports, identify any issues or gaps, implement and track corrective and preventive actions, update your DR plan and procedures accordingly, monitor the performance and availability of your DR solution, report any incidents or anomalies, communicate with your DR provider, and provide them with feedback. Furthermore, you should review and update your DR needs and objectives to ensure they are in line with the evolution of your business.

6 Learn and improve from your DR experience

Finally, you should learn and improve from your DR experience, and use it as an opportunity to enhance your IT operations and business continuity. This includes evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of your DR solution, calculating the return on investment (ROI) and the total cost of ownership (TCO). Additionally, you should document the lessons learned and best practices from your DR activities, and share them with your stakeholders and employees. It is also important to recognize and reward the achievements and contributions of your internal and external DR teams, as well as seek and implement feedback from your DR provider. Furthermore, you should stay informed about the latest trends in the DR field, and adopt new technologies and innovations. By following these steps, you can outsource IT DR successfully, reaping the benefits of having a professional partner who can help protect your business from any disaster.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?