Given the existence of countless threats online that are growing exponentially, we can adopt two approaches: prevention and solution in case we fall victim to a threat. One solution mechanism in the event of a cyberattack or data loss due to human error, for example, is DRaaS, or Disaster Recovery as a Service. This is closely related to backup and recovery; however, its function is more specific and it’s not as broad a prevention solution as the backup and recovery services we offer at ITD Consulting.
DRaaS functions as a mechanism to ensure business continuity so that in the event of an incident, the system can respond quickly without affecting customers. This specialized type of backup and recovery is designed for crisis situations. Currently, ITD Consulting offers this more powerful solution, and we can provide you with advice.
General Aspects of the Most Powerful Backup and Recovery Solution, DRaaS
DRaaS is a cloud-based service model that allows companies to store their backups—both data and internal infrastructure—in the cloud of the service provider. It operates as a kind of less flexible backup and recovery service, as it is entirely managed on the servers of the company providing the service, which is why it is done in the cloud.
The type of backup managed by a DRaaS encompasses the entire IT system of the company, making it extremely comprehensive and complex. This includes computing, storage, and network functions, so that in the event of a disaster, the company can run all its operations from the cloud. This significantly reduces recovery times. The specialized nature of the system allows for shorter recovery times compared to traditional backup and recovery services.
By paying a scalable subscription, users can access this specialized service and ensure the security of their operations. The DRaaS provider offers disaster recovery tools, such as replicating the entire IT environment, databases, network applications, operating systems, files, virtual machines, and containers. These are hosted in a local data center, a cloud storage system, or in a hybrid system, but always under the control of the service provider. Additionally, the provider encrypts the data. These features position DRaaS as the next step in security compared to traditional backup and recovery. The ITD Consulting team can support you with this type of solution.
In the event of an incident that affects the company’s IT infrastructure, the DRaaS provider activates a substitute system to keep the company operational while restoring the system via remote access. This is known as failover environments in the cloud. Some DRaaS services even include VPN security to access the backups and failover environments.
Like traditional backup and recovery services, DRaaS requires continuous and automated backups. This ensures continuous operation in the face of incidents such as cyberattacks, natural disasters, hardware or software failures, data center outages, power outages, etc.
The recovery process is carried out in three phases that DRaaS shares with traditional backup and recovery services. These phases are replication, failover, and failback.
First, replication involves selecting applications to be backed up. Depending on the service level contracted, these are backed up in the DRaaS data center or cloud, which will always prioritize the most recent backed-up elements. The scope of this backup is one of the differences between DRaaS and backup and recovery.
Second, failover begins in the event of a disaster. This mechanism allows the user to access the data previously backed up by the DRaaS provider. This initial transition process may involve some difficulty depending on the type of DRaaS contracted and the ease it offers, reducing the possibility of data loss. The specificity of this service is what differentiates it from backup and recovery, which may take longer to recover systems.
Finally, failback is the process of transferring access from end users back to the primary data center. Once this process is complete, the system is fully operational and ready for the next disaster. Since DRaaS is a service specialized in responding to such events, failback times are significantly reduced compared to traditional backup and recovery.
Types of DRaaS
- Self-service DRaaS
In this type of DRaaS, the client is responsible for planning and managing the system recovery in case of disasters. While this self-management involves a lower cost, it also requires the company to have expert personnel dedicated to this recovery process to ensure it is done reliably. This model is closer to traditional backup and recovery, as it may entail greater risks and delays for the user.
- Assisted DRaaS
The Assisted DRaaS model is characterized by the support the DRaaS provider gives the client in the recovery process. However, the client is still responsible for implementing the disaster recovery plan. Under this approach, the client retains control over operations but has the backing of the DRaaS provider. This way, the company’s IT resources can ensure a more secure restoration of systems. This mid-level management system already represents an improvement over traditional backup and recovery since the assistance guarantees the functionality of DRaaS tools.
- Managed DRaaS
This managed DRaaS model represents a higher level of security compared to traditional backup and recovery. This is because the DRaaS provider is responsible for fully planning and managing the system recovery process. Under this system, the contact between the provider and the client is close, ensuring that all system changes are replicated in the backups to guarantee resilience. While this model is considerably more expensive than a traditional backup and recovery system, and compared to other types of DRaaS, it is recommended for companies that do not have the right personnel to carry out these actions.
If you're interested in more information about the most specialized backup and recovery service, DRaaS, to keep your company protected, contact us at [email protected].
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