Continuity Centers

4 signs your disaster recovery is behind the times

In the world of the modern enterprise, falling behind the times is the beginning of the end, especially when it comes to technology. Many competitive advantages these days are made and lost in the IT department, and fast, functional tech services are basically a prerequisite for success in any sector or specialty. From the data center to the end user environment and every step in between, organizations need to optimize performance and stay on the cutting edge of the biggest IT trends. Of course, that includes leveraging a disaster recovery plan in stride with the times that's capable of complete asset restoration.

Unfortunately, DR falls off of many enterprise IT to-do lists when upgrading infrastructure systems, leaving major gaps in the continuity assurance every business needs to survive in the modern era. If you think this describes your organization, it's time to get back on track. Here are four signals that indicate your disaster recovery outlook is out of sync with the latest and greatest tech.

1. Scheduled downtime is a drag: Every organization must work network downtime into their IT maintenance schedules to ensure patches and updates are installed proactively. A sluggish infrastructure reboot following these measured outages, however, can be a bad sign for the functionality of your DR plan. If you can't quickly bounce back from a scheduled downtime event, how can you expect your tech assets to remain resilient and recoverable in a worst-case scenario such as a natural disaster or fatal system error? 

"If you think your DR systems have fallen out of date, it's time to get back on track."

2. Multiple DR tools are a burden: A telltale indicator of a lagging DR strategy is a fragmented array of recovery tools designed to work independently of one another and on different schedules. The more disparate your DR resources are, the greater the likelihood that something will go awry when it comes time to launch your restorative action plan. Consolidate your disconnected systems to mitigate this risk and streamline the recovery process. A Dimensional Research report even found that 59 percent of organizations cite a multitude of solutions as a burden to recovery agility

3. No control over RPOs or RTOs: Relying on a DR plan that lacks recovery point and time objectives is like hunting for buried treasure without the map revealing where the X marks the spot – you may indeed attain your prize, but chances are slim given the many unpredictable forces acting against you. Set a course for recovery success by ensuring your RPOs and RTOs are crystal clear from the outset and that you have total control over these key performance measurements. 

4. IT is all alone in the struggle: When disaster strikes, you need all hands on deck to help you execute your recovery strategy – especially the IT squad. If these key personnel have their hands tied with restorative efforts, however, end user support goes MIA until systems are up and running again. According to Dimensional Research, 41 percent of organizations find their teams stretched thin during a recovery event, leaving all other tech objectives out to dry. Make sure your DR is consolidated for minimal effort on the part of your tech teams to promote smoother operations.  

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