Businesses of all sizes today face an array of digital threats that could disrupt their operations. From data breaches to ransomware attacks, the risks are substantial. MSP IT professionals must deliver robust disaster recovery solutions and business continuity strategies to safeguard their clients’ critical data. We’ll discuss essential components of building a winning strategy for business continuity and cover the elements necessary for MSPs and their clients.
The Digital World and Its Disasters
The reliance on digital data and technology is at an all-time high. Businesses store invaluable information, from financial records to customer data, in the digital realm. However, this digital dependence comes with a significant downside – the vulnerability to various data disasters.
- Data Breaches: Cybercriminals continue to evolve, employing sophisticated techniques to breach company data. Once inside, they can steal sensitive information, causing financial loss and damage to a company’s reputation. Most recently, a hostile hack left at least a million data points from 23andMe accounts appear to have been exposed on BreachForums.
- Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware attacks can cripple a business by encrypting critical data, demanding a ransom for its release. Paying the ransom is risky and not always a guarantee of data recovery. In early October this year, The BianLian extortion group claimed to have stolen 210GB of data after breaching the network of Air Canada, the country’s largest airline and a founding member of Star Alliance as reported by Bleeping Computer.
- Natural Disasters: Beyond cyber threats, natural disasters like hurricanes, fires, and floods can wreak havoc on data centers and office spaces with internet and electricity outages, leading to data loss and downtime. There’s just two months left in the year, but the US has already faced a record number of disasters costing $1 billion or more in 2023, with 24 such events.
- Human Errors: Accidental deletion of important files or improper handling of data can also disrupt business operations and result in data loss. Japanese electronics company, Casio, announced their systems were jeopardized when an employee attempted to work in the development environment and discovered that a database failure had occurred. Some 91,921 records belonging to customers in Japan were accessed, including individuals and 1,109 education institution customers. In addition, 35,049 records belonging to customers in 148 countries outside of Japan were accessed.
To navigate these digital dangers, MSPs need strong disaster recovery and business continuity solutions that can recover data swiftly, mitigate the impact of disruptions, and assure clients of their data’s safety.
What Makes an Effective DR Solution?
In the crowded market of disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, determining the right provider is imperative. Below are the key elements to consider during a DR selection process.
1. Comprehensive Data Protection
Does the solution include comprehensive, military-grade protection against a wide array of data disasters? Does the solution protect data from human errors, data breaches and ransomware attacks, as well as physical damage caused by natural disasters? An all-encompassing approach ensures your clients are prepared for any situation, giving them confidence in their business continuity.
2. Rapid Recovery
In the event of a disaster, time is of the essence. When reviewing DR options, how long is the boot process, time for failover and return to operability? Does the vendor offer the choice of local or in-cloud? Its backup and recovery solutions are designed for speed, ensuring minimal downtime and reduced disruption, which is crucial for maintaining the trust of your clients.
3. Secure Cloud Backup
How secure is the vendor’s cloud backup? How is the data encrypted in transit and at rest? What sort of security practices ensure the highest level of protection against data breaches and unauthorized access? What certification does the vendor hold for securing datacenters?
4. Flexible Deployment Options
In reviewing various DR solutions, is there flexibility to meet the diverse needs of your clients? Clients may prefer on-premises, cloud, or hybrid solutions in order to cater to their specific requirements.
5. Easy to Manage
What does the interface and management tools look like? Is everything user-friendly and intuitive to ensure MSPs can easily deploy, monitor, and manage disaster recovery solutions for a seamless user experience? Be sure to look out for simple, centrally managed, monitored dashboards that include backup scheduling and recovery settings. A one-stop-shop makes configuration a relief for IT professionals.
6. Proactive Monitoring and Support
How proactive is the monitoring system? Are potential issues detected and addressed before they become critical problems? In the event an issue occurs, what is known about the support team? How does the support compare with the competition? Do they work weekends or designated hours? Look for feedback and reviews, as well as certifications on the teams.
Conclusion
Building a winning strategy for business continuity is not just an option; it’s a necessity to provide the best possible DR solutions for their clients. With its comprehensive data protection, rapid recovery, secure cloud backup, flexible deployment options, ease of management, and proactive support, Infrascale leads the way in ensuring businesses can confidently face any data disaster. For more information on how to safeguard your organization’s business continuity, please schedule a demo.
