What are the key factors to consider when choosing a SAN disaster recovery service provider or solution?

1 Recovery objectives

One of the first factors to consider is your recovery objectives, which define how quickly and how much data you need to restore after a disaster. These include the recovery point objective (RPO), which is the maximum acceptable amount of data loss, and the recovery time objective (RTO), which is the maximum acceptable amount of downtime. Depending on your business needs and budget, you may opt for different levels of recovery objectives, such as zero RPO and RTO, near-zero RPO and RTO, or moderate RPO and RTO. You should look for a SAN DR service provider or solution that can meet or exceed your recovery objectives and provide clear and transparent service level agreements (SLAs).

2 Replication methods

Another factor to consider is the replication methods that the SAN DR service provider or solution uses to copy your data from the primary site to the secondary site. There are different types of replication methods, such as synchronous, asynchronous, or semi-synchronous, that have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of performance, bandwidth, latency, and consistency. You should evaluate the replication methods that the SAN DR service provider or solution offers and how they align with your recovery objectives, network infrastructure, and application requirements.

3 Security and compliance

A third factor to consider is the security and compliance of the SAN DR service provider or solution. You should ensure that your data is protected from unauthorized access, modification, or deletion during the replication and recovery processes. You should also ensure that your data complies with the relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, or ISO 27001, depending on your industry and location. You should look for a SAN DR service provider or solution that has robust security measures, such as encryption, authentication, authorization, auditing, and monitoring, and that can demonstrate compliance with the applicable laws and frameworks.

4 Scalability and flexibility

A fourth factor to consider is the scalability and flexibility of the SAN DR service provider or solution. You should be able to adjust your SAN DR capacity and configuration according to your changing business needs and demands. You should also be able to choose from different deployment options, such as on-premise, cloud, or hybrid, depending on your preferences and resources. You should look for a SAN DR service provider or solution that can provide you with scalable and flexible solutions that can accommodate your growth and innovation.

5 Support and expertise

A fifth factor to consider is the support and expertise of the SAN DR service provider or solution. You should be able to rely on the SAN DR service provider or solution to provide you with timely and professional assistance in case of any issues or questions. You should also be able to benefit from their experience and knowledge in designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining your SAN DR strategy. You should look for a SAN DR service provider or solution that has a proven track record, a qualified and certified team, and a responsive and proactive customer service.

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?