What is DRaaS?

Disaster Recovery as a Service or DRaaSdepicts a Cloud Computing and Backup service model that uses Cloud-based resources to secure the hosted applications and data from any forms of loss or disruption during a disaster. DRaaS offers organizations a complete system that allows business continuity and zero hindrance even during system failures. DRaaS is often associated with a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)/Business Continuity Plan (BCP). DRaaS is also usually referred to as Business Continuity as a Service (BCaaS).

A robust DRaaS plan enables seamless and easy replication of all data and applications present on the Cloud while serving as a secondary infrastructure. DRaaS also offers a new environment, allowing businesses and users to resume their processes easily while the primary infrastructure has undergone maintenance and recovery. DRaaS allows the applications to run over Virtual Machines or VMs even when there are no human-induced or natural disasters.

How DRaaS Works

Step 1: Creating Backups

Cloud-based backup solutions are an excellent consideration for protecting user data since Cloud houses many operating systems and applications. The backups taking place in the Cloud are performed regularly since they are optimized for moving the changed or altered data only. Cloud-based backup solutions use a local application for serving as a platform where backups can be replicated before being transferred to the Cloud.

Step 2: Getting Recovery

Once the data has been timely secured, business organizations now have an idea of what the recovery process would be postdisaster occurrence. There are times when the business organization faces disaster in terms of server, storage, or the entire site has been damaged. This is where an effective Disaster Recovery Plan can be of rescue.When considering a DRaaS provider, users must have a clear idea of what their DRaaS solution would look like.

Types of DRaaS

Self-Service DRaaS:

In the Self-Service DRaaS model, users receive all the necessary tools and equipment for performing their DR backups and replication. The user is responsible for monitoring the status of file recovery and deciding the frequency at which testing needs to be done to check the functioning of DR solutions.

This DRaaS model demands the user be responsible for every aspect of recovery planning, testing, and management. In case of a disaster, the in-house team of the business is entirely accountable for performing the recovery procedure.

Assisted DRaaS

In the Assisted DRaaS model, the DRaaS provider serves as an advisor as users look to implement, manage and test their DR solutions. The users are themselves responsible for various aspects related to the DR plan of the business. The DRaaS provider intervenes if the disaster has occurred and there are no in-house team members for mitigating the disaster.

Managed DRaaS

In the Managed DRaaS model, the DRaaS provider is responsible for carrying out the Disaster Recovery Planning strategy. Managed DRaaS providers managed all aspects related to the delivery, allowing the in-house teams to focus on core business competencies. In case of any disaster, the provider will look after the entire DRP.

In terms of cost, a managed DRaaS demands higher investment, but they assure and provide businesses with the highest level of support and meet the business goals.

Benefits of DRaaS

An effective DRaaS strategy provides a wide array of benefits to any business, irrespective of its size. The following are some value-added benefits that business get with a well-defined DRaaS policy-

• DRaaS helps in strengthening the business’ data protection plan. Using off-site Cloud hosting ensures business data remains safe during a disaster and can be accessible even if there is no internal infrastructure. DRaaS helps businesses by offering a Backup Cloud-based infrastructure for running their operations continuously.

• A robust DRaaS from a Managed DRaaS provider gives businesses a competitive edge. In case of a disaster, the business clients often rely on a company that is always up because of a trusted and managed DRaaS provider. Most of the DRaaS providers, like ESDS, ensure the maximum level of uptime even during unforeseen events.

• With DRaaS in place, businesses can minimize their off-site DR infrastructure-associated costs. Companies tend to create off-site DR sites in case the main site has gone down and is incurring downtime issues. With well-defined DRaaS, there is no need to develop off-site locations and overcome additional investments related to physical space and storage drivers.

• DRaaS solutions are highly flexible. With the growth of any organization, there is an associated need for adding new servers and storage capacity. With Cloud, users get maximum scalability by modifying their service agreements with the Cloud Providers. DRaaS helps in encashing the maximum benefits of Cloud Computing and at the same time protecting critical assets and the reputation of a business.

Concluding Remarks

An effective DRaaS plan has been the game-changer for most businesses since it eliminates the costs related to secondary, off-sites, and hardware. For a business organization, it is important to understand the working of DR solutions based on the different deployment models of DRaaS (Self-Serviced, Assisted, Managed). Under an ideal situation, DRaaS providers offer regular backup of the entire user environment, with the data being stored in both ways- locally and on Cloud. Local and Cloud-based backup solutions are of great help when it comes to disaster. The data can be easily fetched at the affected site, ensuring business continuity and no downtime.