Optimize Backup Operations with a Recovery Services Plan

Few organizations are wholly confident in their approach to backup and recovery. While many feel assured that backups are taking place, they are less sure that they will be able to recover the data they need from those backups.
Many organizations are assuming unnecessary risk by not investing in their backup solution. It often takes the occurrence of a significant disaster before an organization realizes its backup is worth the money, but by then it's too late.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Organizations approach backup from the wrong direction. The emphasis should be on recovery rather than backup. This slight shift in posture can not only lead to a better backup and recovery solution but can help to better convince stakeholders the value of the work the backup team does.
Data loss is rarely the result of a natural disaster and more frequently caused by human error. Nevertheless, organizations build their backup solution around the former and, as a result, do not have a solution that fits actual need.
A focus on procedures and processes is a more significant driver of backup success than technology. Focusing efforts on requirements gathering, planning, and documentation is a more effective, cost-efficient path to backup success.

Impact and Result

Better protect your organization's valuable data with an approach to backup that is based on actual need, rather than a brute force solution that is driven by the backup window.
Identify where to spend and where to save by matching recovery objectives to the value of your data.
Create SLAs and SOPs that transform backup into recovery services, clarifying for users their shared responsibilities in ensuring recoverability and improving service offerings.

Optimize Backup Operations with a Recovery Services Plan Research & Tools

1. Determine backup and recovery objectives

Determine requirements and strategize a best-fit backup and recovery solution.

2. Evaluate the impact of technology on backup procedures

Assess recovery capabilities with a gap analysis.

3. Document standard operating procedures for backup and recovery

Ensure clear guidelines and ensure the recoverability of backed up data.

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Table of Contents

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Get the help you need in this 1-phase advisory process. You'll receive 4 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.

Call 1: Communicate the value of backup optimization

The value of backup is often misunderstood when it comes time to set the budget. Understand the value of optimization and communicate its worth effectively to your stakeholders.
Call 2: Determine recovery requirements

Backup operations are driven by your recovery requirements—not the backup window. Determine your organization’s real recovery needs and set meaningful recovery point objectives (RPOs) and recovery time objectives (RTOs).
Call 3: Evaluate the impact of technology on backup operations

Discuss and analyze where your present approach to backup may be coming up short. Discuss ways in which different backup and recovery technologies can help you achieve your goals, and where they may mean adjustments are necessary.
Call 4: Provide recovery assurance with SLAs and SOPs

Treat backup and recovery as a service you provide to your users. Clearly communicate everyone’s role and responsibility in making sure backups are effective, and lay out clear processes to ensure that your approach can get the job done.