Disaster recovery (DR) is a critical component of any IT strategy, and the cloud’s ease of use can make it an attractive option for companies seeking to improve or expand their DR programs. But sometimes, that simplicity comes at a hidden cost. For example, with just one click, an employee could unintentionally provision a DR cluster in another region, doubling cloud expenses without realizing the financial impact. This lack of visibility and control can also lead to “cloud sprawl,” where unchecked resources drive up costs and complexity.
THE RISKS OF ONE-CLICK SIMPLICITY
Cloud platforms are designed to be user-friendly, but default settings and simplified provisioning processes can mask significant risks, including:
- Accidental Overprovisioning: A single error during setup can result in unnecessary resources running 24/7, inflating costs.
- Misconfigurations: Default configurations may not align with an organization’s specific DR needs, leading to performance gaps.
- Lack of Testing: If DR environments aren’t tested regularly, companies may not discover issues until they attempt to restore operations during a disaster.
In an IDC report, companies cited backup system failures (49%), corrupted or encrypted data due to ransomware or malware (46%), and data loss that occurred in the gap between backups (45%) as the top reasons for unrecoverable data. Each represents a breakdown in the DR process and highlights the need for robust testing.
When the recovery part of disaster recovery fails, the consequences go beyond wasted expenses—they can jeopardize business continuity.
WHY ON-PREM DISASTER RECOVERY STILL HAS A ROLE
While the cloud offers scalability and the reliability is generally high, cloud environments aren’t without their risks. An analysis by ThousandEyes found that the percentage of total CSP outages rose significantly, increasing from 17% to 27%, over the course of 2024. The report also noted that configuration-related errors led to some monumental outages, including one of the largest IT outages in recent years, which disrupted entire industries during what ended up being a convoluted and time-consuming recovery. Even if your own network is in good shape, you may not be able to access your DR backups in the cloud if your provider experiences an issue.
On-premises DR solutions provide critical advantages that address these and other risks. On-prem DR environments offer greater control and can be tailored to specific business needs, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Unlike cloud DR, which can generate unexpected costs, on-prem solutions involve fixed investments and predictable expenses. On-prem setups make it easier to maintain rigorous testing and run regular DR drills, ensuring systems are ready to handle real emergencies. It’s also faster and simpler to adjust your DR program to compensate for any glitches that arise during testing.
By maintaining on-prem DR capabilities, businesses can avoid the pitfalls of cloud sprawl while retaining confidence in their recovery processes.
BEST PRACTICES FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
To mitigate hidden costs and ensure effective DR, organizations should adopt these best practices:
- Run Regular DR Drills: Test recovery protocols frequently to uncover misconfigurations and ensure readiness. Don’t just verify your backup system—execute the process through the recovery phase to ensure your restoration method works as expected.
- Monitor Cloud Usage: Use tagging and tracking tools to maintain visibility over cloud resources and prevent sprawl.
- Optimize Configurations: Customize DR setups to meet specific performance and cost objectives, avoiding default settings. Review these configurations periodically to ensure errors are quickly caught and fixed.
- Evaluate Hybrid Approaches: Combine the scalability of cloud DR with the control and predictability of on-prem solutions for a balanced strategy. Maintain enough flexibility to adjust your DR processes as your needs evolve.
PROTECT WHAT POWERS YOUR BUSINESS
At CyberNorth, we understand the complexities of disaster recovery in both cloud and on-prem environments. Our experts help businesses design and implement DR solutions that address hidden costs, minimize risks, and ensure operational resilience.
Don’t let a single click compromise your disaster recovery strategy. Protect what powers your business by contacting CyberNorth today.
