Cloud Hosting

IT may be funny but there is a common misunderstanding that data stored in the Cloud means data just floating around somewhere so it can be retrieved at any time. The truth is, data stored and managed in the Cloud requires data centers, huge facilities that run either magnetic, optical or digital storage devices to keep and back-up (at least twice) all the data we let evaporate into the Cloud.

With the data center becoming the repository of all our informationpersonal and professional data, photos and illustrations, spreadsheets and documents, music and movies. Keeping these important artifacts intact at a data center also requires that the data center be constantly humming.

Data redundancy, fire-proofing hardware, software back-ups, cybersecurity protocols and power outage management all help the data center system administrators in keeping customers data intact and accessible on a physical level. Creating business continuity solutions for digital critical infrastructure starts with a disaster recovery plan that eliminates a common cause of data center downtime: human error.

Power management solutions expert Vertiv recommends evaluating all risks that include natural catastrophes like hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, and volcanoes or even radiation exposure, hazardous waste, or explosives. Once the risks are identified and evaluated, creating a secure evacuation plan follows. Human safety always comes first and an escape-and-rescue strategy to evacuate employees who may be in danger must be in place.

From another perspective, it also advises weatherproofing the data center, with appropriate precautions to protect against storms, flooding, or other weather-related threats. Earthquakes are another calamity that data centers are built to withstand. However, Vertiv still advises checking if servers are safely stored and secure in their racks. Doors should be sealed against strong winds and rain, making every effort to prevent any water from entering the server rooms because water is the enemy of the data center.

Back up data and check the generator. Every week, several data centers perform routine data backups keeping in mind that one back up is no back-up at all. In adopting a daily backup routine also consider the location of the backup data. A safe off-site storage is recommended. There is a tendency to set and forget a generator, but that piece of machinery requires maintenance and upkeep to ensure it performs as expected when needed. Test the generator regularly and ahead of any anticipated weather events. Line up at least three vendors to deliver fuel in the event of an extended outage.

Communicating with utilities and contacting vendors assures that there is continuity or at least a plan to ensure having a phone and internet connection, water, or power. Establish early communication with utility providers to create backup plans. Make a contact list and prepare a communication strategy. Prioritize the vendors on your list who must be contacted in an emergency. By doing these two more focus can be put on more pressing demands during the crisis.

Plan emergency staffing and trust the team. Local workers might not be available to work in a significant crisis. They might have evacuated, had severe issues travel or shelter issues. Find ways to guarantee to have a staff on-site, including emergency services and setting up crisis housing close to the data center. Gathering IT, facilities, security, HR, communications, legal, logistics, and information security and briefing key people of their roles during the crisis. If the typical lines of communication are unavailable, have a plan for communicating with that team.

Recommendations for administrative and technical aspects include confirming insurance coverage to check if additional protection for the infrastructure may be necessary, as continuity of business insurance can make up for lost revenue if the data center is down for a week. Remember the edge, is sound advice to oversee edge sites that sprout out from the vastness of a dispersed network where an enterprise data center today is merely a component. Many companies oversee numerous edge sites.

Vertiv puts particular attention to minding the Cloud service provider as a lot of data and applications are stored there. These cloud servers are located in a data center, and knowledge of the Cloud providers protection and response systems in an emergency is both an assurance and lesson from which best practices can be taken from.

Consider the opportunists. Hackers consider catastrophes like natural disasters as a chance to access networks when peoples attention is diverted elsewhere. Ensure your information and physical security personnel are ready to deal with cyber threats.

The right data center services provider may also join the team and adequately assist with the risk assessment required to plan for a disaster adequately. These infrastructure specialists are specially qualified to guarantee a prompt and secure recovery.

With its expertise, Vertiv brings together cutting-edge solutions and services to ensure uninterrupted operations, optimal performance, and scalability of data centers, communication networks, and other critical IT facilities.

To learn more about how Vertiv supports the continuity of todays vital business, visitVertiv.com.

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Recommendations in creating a data center recovery plan - Malaya