Backup & Disaster Recovery
Recovery is a plan, not a hope.
Having backups is different from being able to recover. We help you define how quickly each system must be restored and how much data you can afford to lose, then compare supplier solutions that meet those targets.
What to evaluate
Backup & Disaster Recovery, in practical terms.
- Managed backup
- Cloud backup
- Microsoft 365 and SaaS backup
- Business continuity planning
- Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)
The right fit
Who should consider it?
- Any business whose data is essential to operations
- Companies concerned about ransomware
- Organizations that have never tested a restore
Business objectives
What a well-scoped solution can support.
- Defined recovery time and recovery point objectives
- Tested restores
- Backups isolated from attackers
- Documented continuity procedures
These are evaluation objectives, not promised results. Scope and performance depend on supplier agreements and implementation.
Compare before committing
Alternatives & tradeoffs
| Approach | Often best for | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud backup | Protecting data off-site | Restoring large volumes can take time |
| DRaaS | Restoring whole systems quickly | Higher cost; requires testing |
| Local + cloud hybrid | Fast local restores plus off-site protection | More components to manage |
Buying checklist
Questions worth asking.
- 01How long can each system be down before it seriously harms the business?
- 02Are backups immutable or isolated from your main network?
- 03When was the last full test restore?
- 04Who declares a disaster and who executes the plan?
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between backup and disaster recovery?
Backup is a copy of your data. Disaster recovery is the ability to bring systems back into operation within an acceptable time after an outage, attack or disaster. DRaaS providers can restore systems in their environment so operations resume while primary systems are repaired.
What are RTO and RPO?
Recovery Time Objective (RTO) is how quickly a system must be back online. Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is how much data, measured in time, you can afford to lose. They drive which backup and recovery approach fits.
Practical buying guides
Explore the decision in depth.
Connected decisions
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Technology guidance by Duncan Smith · Supplier-specific capabilities must be confirmed during evaluation.
Your next move
Review your recovery plan
Tell us what’s changing. We’ll help you evaluate what comes next.