Disaster Recovery (DR) is a plan and set of processes used to restore important systems, data, and operations after an unexpected event, like a cyberattack, hardware failure, or natural disaster.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
What it does: Disaster recovery ensures that an organisation can quickly recover and continue operating after a disruption.
Key components:
- Data backups: Regularly saving copies of important files to ensure they can be restored if lost.
- Recovery strategies: Plans to bring systems, networks, and applications back online.
- Testing: Regularly practicing the recovery process to ensure it works effectively.
Types of disasters it addresses:
- Cyberattacks: Like ransomware or data breaches.
- Hardware failures: Broken servers, corrupted drives, or other equipment malfunctions.
- Natural disasters: Floods, fires, earthquakes, or storms that damage IT infrastructure.
- Human errors: Accidental deletions or misconfigurations by employees.
How it works:
- Identify critical systems and data that need protection.
- Create a plan that includes where and how backups are stored.
- Use tools and services to automate data recovery and system restoration.
Why it’s important:
- Minimises downtime: Quickly restores operations to avoid long disruptions.
- Protects data: Ensures valuable business or customer information is not permanently lost.
- Reduces costs: Prevents financial loss by getting back to normal operations faster.
- Builds trust: Demonstrates to customers and partners that your business is prepared for emergencies.
Think of disaster recovery as a safety net—it helps your organisation bounce back after unexpected problems, keeping systems running and data safe.