What Is Disaster Recovery? Plan Types & Continuity Tips

Disaster recovery is more than just a technical backup—it’s a business-critical strategy. If your systems go down due to a cyberattack, natural disaster, or human error, how quickly can you bounce back? In this blog, we’ll explain what disaster recovery is, how it connects to your business continuity plan, and what steps you need to take to protect your operations. We’ll also look at recovery point objectives, disaster recovery strategies, and how to reduce recovery times when disaster strikes.

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What is disaster recovery and why it matters

Disaster recovery refers to the process of restoring IT systems, data, and business operations after a disruptive event. These events could include cyberattacks, power outages, hardware failures, or natural disasters. The goal is to minimise downtime and data loss so your business can continue running.

A disaster recovery plan outlines how your organisation will respond to these events. It includes the tools, processes, and people needed to recover quickly. Without a plan, even a short disruption can lead to lost revenue, damaged reputation, and compliance issues. That’s why disaster recovery is a key part of any business continuity strategy.

Steps to building a reliable disaster recovery plan

Creating a disaster recovery plan involves more than just backing up your data. Here are the essential steps to make your plan effective and actionable.

Step 1: Identify critical systems and data

Start by listing the systems, applications, and data your business relies on daily. This helps prioritise what needs to be recovered first in the event of a disaster.

Step 2: Define your recovery objectives

Set your Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). RTO is how quickly you need to restore operations. RPO is how much data loss is acceptable.

Step 3: Assess potential risks

Look at different disaster scenarios—cyberattacks, hardware failures, or floods. Understanding the type of disaster you’re most likely to face helps you plan better.

Step 4: Choose your recovery methods

Decide how you’ll recover your systems. Options include cloud-based backups, offsite data centres, or Recovery as a Service (RaaS).

Step 5: Assign roles and responsibilities

Your disaster recovery team should know exactly what to do. Assign tasks clearly so everyone understands their role during a crisis.

Step 6: Document everything

Write down the full disaster recovery plan. Include contact details, recovery steps, and system dependencies. Make sure it’s easy to access.

Step 7: Test your plan regularly

Don’t wait for a disaster to find out your plan doesn’t work. Schedule disaster recovery testing to identify gaps and improve your response.

Key benefits of having a disaster recovery plan

A solid disaster recovery plan offers several business advantages:

• Reduces downtime and keeps your business running
• Minimises data loss and protects sensitive information
• Supports compliance with legal and industry standards
• Builds customer trust by showing you’re prepared
• Helps you recover faster from unexpected events
• Saves money by avoiding prolonged outages

Understanding the types of disaster recovery

There are several types of disaster recovery, each suited to different business needs. Knowing the differences helps you choose the right approach.

Traditional disaster recovery uses physical servers and offsite backups. It’s reliable but can be slow and costly. Cloud-based disaster recovery, or Cloud DR, stores your data in the cloud, allowing faster recovery and easier scaling. Hybrid models combine both for flexibility.

You can also use Recovery as a Service (RaaS), where a third-party provider manages your disaster recovery. This is ideal for businesses without in-house IT teams. Each method has pros and cons, so match your choice to your budget, risk level, and recovery goals.

Elements of a disaster recovery plan you can’t skip

An effective disaster recovery plan includes several key components. Here’s what you need to cover.

Component 1: Business impact analysis

This identifies how different disasters could affect your business functions. It helps prioritise recovery efforts based on impact.

Component 2: Continuity plan alignment

Your disaster recovery plan should work hand-in-hand with your business continuity plan. Together, they ensure both IT systems and business operations recover smoothly.

Component 3: Communication strategy

Clear communication is crucial during a disaster. Your plan should include how and when to inform staff, clients, and stakeholders.

Component 4: Inventory of assets

Keep a list of hardware, software, and cloud services. This helps speed up recovery and ensures nothing is overlooked.

Component 5: Backup and storage strategy

Use reliable backup methods, including cloud storage, to protect your data. Make sure backups are tested and updated regularly.

Component 6: Recovery procedures

Detail the step-by-step actions for restoring systems. Include login credentials, software keys, and vendor contacts.

Component 7: Regular updates and reviews

Your plan should evolve as your business grows. Schedule regular reviews to keep it current and effective.

Planning for disaster: Practical implementation tips

Putting your disaster recovery plan into action takes more than just writing it down. Start by training your team. Everyone should know their role and how to access the plan. Run simulated disaster scenarios to test your response.

Use monitoring tools to detect issues early. Automate backups where possible to reduce human error. And don’t forget to document lessons learned after each test or real incident. This helps you improve over time.

Best practices for disaster recovery success

To make your disaster recovery plan truly effective, follow these best practices:

• Involve key departments when developing the plan
• Keep both digital and printed copies of your plan
• Store backups in multiple locations, including offsite
• Review vendor contracts to ensure recovery support
• Use metrics to track recovery times and data loss
• Update your plan after major IT changes

Following these tips helps ensure your plan works when you need it most.

How Sonar IT can help with What is disaster recovery

Are you a business with 15–40 endpoints looking to secure your operations? If you're growing and need a reliable disaster recovery strategy, we can help you build a plan that fits your size and goals.

At Sonar IT, we understand the risks of downtime and data loss. Our team helps you create, test, and manage a disaster recovery plan tailored to your business. Whether you need cloud-based recovery, on-premise backups, or a hybrid solution, we’ve got you covered.

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Frequently asked questions

What should a disaster recovery plan include for a small business?

A disaster recovery plan for a small business should include a clear list of critical business functions, recovery procedures, and contact information. It must also define your recovery point objective (RPO) and recovery time objective (RTO) to minimise data loss and downtime.

You should also assess your data centre setup and identify the most likely disaster scenarios. This helps you plan for both natural disasters and cyber threats. Regular testing ensures your plan stays effective as your business evolves.

How do I choose the right type of disaster recovery for my company?

Start by evaluating the type of disaster your business is most likely to face—whether it’s cyberattacks, power failures, or hardware issues. Then, consider your budget, risk tolerance, and how quickly you need to recover.

Options include cloud-based recovery, offsite backups, or hybrid models. Each disaster recovery solution has its strengths. A business impact analysis can help you decide which method best protects your critical business functions.

Who should be on my disaster recovery team?

Your disaster recovery team should include IT staff, department heads, and key decision-makers. Each member should have a defined role and know their responsibilities during a crisis.

Include someone to manage communication, someone to oversee the recovery process, and someone to liaise with external vendors. This ensures a smooth recovery and keeps your business operations running.

How often should I test my disaster recovery plan?

You should test your disaster recovery plan at least once a year, or more often if your systems or staff change. Testing helps identify gaps and improve your response.

Use different disaster scenarios to simulate real events. This ensures your recovery strategies are effective and your team is prepared. It also helps reduce recovery times when a real event occurs.

What is the goal of disaster recovery in business continuity?

The goal of disaster recovery is to restore IT systems and data quickly so your business can continue operating. It supports your overall business continuity plan.

By reducing downtime and data loss, disaster recovery protects your reputation and revenue. It also ensures compliance with industry regulations and helps you recover from the event of a disaster.

Why is it important to have a continuity plan in place?

A continuity plan ensures your business can keep running during and after a crisis. It covers more than just IT—it includes people, processes, and facilities.

Having a continuity plan reduces the impact of data loss, system failures, and other disruptions. It also helps protect your cloud storage, maintain customer trust, and support long-term success.