Disaster Recovery as a Service vs. Traditional Backup: Why They’re Not the Same Thing

When it comes to companies digitizing their data and processes, the benefits almost always outweigh the negatives. However, every business that digitizes needs to be prepared for the possibility of some sort of disaster striking, potentially causing data damage or loss. Thankfully, there are disaster recovery services that can help to fix and restore your information, and these services often come in two choices: traditional backup recovery and disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS). While there are similarities between the two options, there are also important differences to know before deciding what’s best for your organization.

Traditional Backup: What Is It?

Traditional recovery backup is a common method for getting back lost or damaged data. It involves regularly backing up or creating a copy of the data and storing it on either another cloud-based server or an alternative storage medium. Companies can frequently choose options such as making a full backup of the data or backing up the changes made since the last time it was saved, which can reduce both backup time and the storage space needed.

What Is Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)?

Disaster recovery as a service is another option for recovering data by utilizing a cloud-based storage solution. Companies that use DRaaS can often back up more than just data, including IT infrastructure such as servers, applications, and even configurations. They can also be faster than traditional backups when restoring data and processes, though they do require an active subscription or contract with a DRaaS provider.

The Differences Between Traditional Recovery & Disaster Recovery as a Service

There are three main differentiators between traditional recovery and DRaaS, beginning with how they are managed. Traditional backups typically require organizations to handle backup, deployment, and general management on their own or through their IT teams. DRaaS, on the other hand, is facilitated by a partner like New Era Technology that handles every aspect of the service, freeing up your team’s resources. Recovery speed is another significant difference between these two options; traditional backups are typically slower and can disrupt daily operations. DRaaS can often get your organization back up and functioning quickly, without needing to reconfigure your data or setup.

Finally, there are cost differences between the two choices. While prices can vary, traditional backup recovery methods are rarely suitable for situations where a business only needs to make a single purchase, as they often require infrastructure upgrades and ongoing maintenance to ensure data is stored appropriately.

Which Disaster Recovery Option Is Best for You?

Each option has its own benefits and negatives, and ultimately, the choice will come down to your organization’s needs and data uses. For many businesses, particularly enterprise organizations, the benefits of disaster recovery as a service outweigh those of traditional backup and recovery, as it provides access to data quickly and at scale, and usually involves a dedicated team of experts managing the process through the service.

Trust New Era Technology to Protect & Recover Your Data

For businesses, their data is their lifeblood, and New Era Technology is here to help when the worst happens to data. Our experts can help set you up for success with a disaster recovery as a service plan that fits your company’s specific needs and size. [Contact us] at New Era Technology today to set up a conversation and learn more.