Optimal disaster recovery sites come in all shapes and sizes: what’s ideal or necessary depends entirely on the organization’s requirements. There are different aspects to consider when deciding whether backing-up your systems, investing in a shared-resource recovery co-location, or opting for a more fully managed option is the best solution for your DR plan.
But no matter what type of disaster recovery service you are looking for, there are three main aspects that are critically important: the geographic location of the recovery site, the physical properties of the building, and the server space.
1. Site Location: Opt for Low-Risk, But Accessible
Your disaster recovery site needs to be in a low risk area – not just for weather and other natural disasters, but also for rail, air, road, and other man-made risks. It should reside in a place with reliable power supply and ready access to municipal services such as fire response, water, and security protection.
You should look for a site that can easily accept equipment and media deliveries, and that staff can access quickly, if required. Does it have a furnished workspace for your team to use in time of disaster? Is it big enough to hold key personnel who’ll need to direct operations during the recovery period?
The site ought to provide assurances of information confidentiality. Be aware that if your data is sent out of the country, you may lose the luxury of privacy controls. You may want your data to be properly encrypted, and you may want to make sure the personnel handling it are subject to security checks.
Your disaster recovery site must provide assurances of communications service continuity and quality. Does it provide service alternatives such as multiple network connection points, alternate paths, and encrypted, secure, and/or compressed transmission? How about flexible bandwidth and speeds, low latency, and acceptable error rates? You need a site that doesn’t lose its communications during a disaster.
2. Building: Purpose-Built and Secure
You should be looking for a disaster recovery site in a building constructed for that specific purpose. The building should be properly maintained and inspected to ensure low chance of structural, fire, or water damage and should also have a robust security system. Though it’s not something most will think of immediately, it’s equally important to choose a building with stable and low-risk tenants.
In addition, your team should have 24/7 physical access to the DR site without exception and (if you’re lucky) the building should have multiple network entrance points and wire conduits to provide redundancy in case one or more of the incoming lines is damaged or goes down.
3. Server Space: Emergency Power A Must
Your disaster recovery server room needs to be appropriately conditioned and it’s essential that it has both emergency power and an uninterruptible power supply. It must contain monitors that oversee environment conditions and the equipment. If possible, you also want it to be connected with redundant network switches, and have the option to be served by multiple incoming carriers.
When investing in a disaster recovery plan, do not overlook the importance of a well-situated and constructed disaster recovery site. Your site can mean the difference between safe and secure data – or a plan that disappoints in the moment of need. Perform your due diligence by assessing a potential building’s location, structure, and the actual computer room where you’ll house your DR systems.
