For any organization, data has become an integral component for smoother business operations. If there is any damage or even theft to the data, it can result in quite severe permanent damages. In order to avoid the risks associated with data loss, companies need to teach their IT staff about the significance of creating regular backups for specific important data.
Talking about the traditional approaches of data backup, they are not considered to be the most effective way. Besides having constraints like limited storage spaces, the conventional backups are also seen as complicated when it comes to configuring through tapes, servers or disks. Additionally, there are also issues pertaining to the compatibility with other software and hardware present in the organization. Another significant challenge that lies with the traditional backups is that the internal tech team of a business needs to visit off-site for storing backups at other locations.
Today, most of the technologically-advanced companies don’t opt for backups through the traditional approaches owing to the drawbacks mentioned above. With the emergence of Cloud-based offerings, various IT services are now being offered on a service-based model rather than purchasing these services. One of them is Disaster Recovery as a Service or DRaaS.
So, what is DRaaS?
DRaaS is an IT service that is usually offered through a third-party managed service provider that is involved with taking backups of a company’s data in a Cloud infrastructure using the Internet. The data resides in a secured data center that is accessible only through the means of proper authorization and validated logins.
During events of data losses owing to a disaster (in any form), data present on the Cloud be gained quickly using the Internet. This backed up data now replaces the data that has been lost and is very helpful in reducing the disruption of essential business operations.
The main difference between a third-party and the DRaaS provider lies with the fact that who will be responsible for the complete backup and recovery process in place of the dedicated internal IT team.
Why DRaaS?
When a third-party is responsible for guiding the backups and recovery processes, one gets benefits such as-
1. No Need of Hardware
The traditional data backup and recovery methods usually deployed the use of hardware such as tapes, servers or even hard disks from businesses. When businesses opt for DRaaS-based service from a provider, then the data gets stored at the provider’s data center inside a private server. Third-party DRaaS services are usually a subscription-based model where one needs to pay only for the used resources instead of paying for their entire CAPEX.
2. Secured Storage of Data Backups
Whenever businesses opt for Cloud-based backup services, they get the best of security protocols for protecting the data that resides inside the provider’s data center. It comprises of security mechanisms like- encryptions, filling up of security patches, regular security audits. They even deploy a multi-layer security approach for securing the data against possible online vulnerabilities and threats. With a third-party DRaaS, businesses can also access their data using MFA protocols backed by complete secure protocols.
3. Simpler Configuration and Testing Processes
Previously, the processes of configuration and backup testing & recovery process were considered to be a quite complicated task. There were also issues related to incompatibility and storage capacity issues of traditional devices such as tapes.
With the emergence of DRaaS, most of the providers have an online dashboard that can automate most of the functions as well as tools. The simpler usage dashboards make it much easier to define the process and also schedule when backups need to be taken. Once the backup has been scheduled, businesses can test whether the data backup was performed successfully or not.
4. Faster Data Recovery
The third-party DRaaS occurs when the data gets backed up on the Cloud using the Internet. For the recovery of data, the same process is followed. Rather than storing the backup data at other locations, they can easily and quickly download the data copy through the Internet. Any authenticated user can access the Cloud-based DRaaS services for recovering the data at any point in time using an active Internet connection.
5. Eases the Burden of Internal Staff
The traditional methods of data backup and disaster recovery can be both- time and effort consuming. The internal IT team had to monitor these backups constantly, and as a result, these members were unable to concentrate on other essential business areas. A third-party DRaaS service with the help of automation and scheduling eases the burden on the internal team, thereby allowing the IT team members to focus on operations for enhancing productivity and efficiency.
Wrapping Up
With a Cloud-based, third-party DRaaS solution, one can reduce the burden of taking backups of his essential data. It offers the advantage of faster data recovery in case of any unforeseen disaster events and significantly brings down the downtimes that businesses might suffer. Cloud-based backups can be easily retrieved through the Internet; without the need for the internal IT team in a business to visit the client-side for backups and recovery-related processes.
