Cloud computing offers the best disaster recovery plan for organizations. This is because cloud computing relies on the internet to store and process data. It uses network and remote servers which are hosted on the internet. This enables organizations to easily backup their data and information. The process of backing up data on the cloud should be easy and quick to offer an ultimate data recovery method for the organizations. Incorporating cloud data storage in an organization changes the design of the organization’s IT architecture. If the disaster recovery plan is well executed, there is no need for the organization to request for services from the external disaster services vendor. The recovery plan should automate many processes in the period of the disaster backing up data and information which is available in the network of the organization (Halpert, 2011) .
Enterprises should consider working with disaster services vendors even if they rely on a cloud-based disaster recovery plan. This is because disaster recovery services vendors have experience of assessing an organization and identifying any vulnerabilities in that organization which might lead to disaster. These disaster recovery services vendors are also able to come up with the best solutions to any vulnerable disaster and the budget of the plan. It is not advisable for an organization to use traditional business continuity methods and disaster recovery plans as this is not reliable and these methods are quite expensive compared to cloud computing. Traditional methods include mirroring a complete set of hardware which is used in an organization. This mirrored hardware/software is housed in a different location separate from the organisation, and it also includes copy all organization’s data and information. This mirrored hardware/software and housing require maintenance fee, and also data should be moved from point A to point B which makes the whole process expensive and time-consuming. The mirrored software/hardware should be updated meaning that any changes made to the original system should also be made to the mirrored system.
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Cloud business continuity is vital for any organization whose information loss can lead to the downfall of the organization. Many companies today use cloud computing as a disaster recovery plan because they know losing information and data means using a lot of money in reconstructing the business process. Also, companies use cloud computing as using mirrored hardware/software means spending a lot of money on a system which is not actively used in the company’s production process (Snedaker, 2013) .
In cloud business continuity, when there are signs of a disaster occurrence, the cloud storage facilities are turned on which is automated and backs up data and the company’s processes in virtual machines on the internet. This process can detect any possibility of disaster occurrence, and it launches the backup up process of ensuring data is not lost. Once the disaster has passed, now the data is simply replicated back to the company’s system without any interruptions on the company’s business processes. After replicating the data back to the company’s system, the company resumes its day to day activities as normal. And if by any case the company’s data center is destroyed by the disaster, the company can operate virtually from the3 cloud until when the company restores its data center. This is possible, and there is no data or information lost.
Cloud business continuity offers businesses a chance to proceed with their activities after natural disasters occur. This is due to cloud computing’s availability, efficiency, and effectiveness and there is no need for acquiring and maintaining duplicates of the original organization’s software and hardware. The monthly cost of maintaining cloud computing is minimal because most of its processes are automated, and it takes a very short time and consumes little resources to pass information and data to cloud storage. Any resources needed in the process of cloud computing are always available therefore organization only needs to pay for resources they use when they are in need of those resources.
With all these disaster management plans, the company can rest assured that its data and information is safe and the company’s business system is free from disasters as cloud storage facilities cannot be destroyed. As far as it is known that clouds can be available at any location as long as there is internet connect, organizations should be careful as almost all internal cloud services can be secured in a way that they are only available within the company’s network. Organizations tend to assume that cloud services can be available anywhere but fail to realize that these services can be limited by the cloud provider in a way that they are only accessible through the company’s network only (Halpert, 2011) . It is hard for organizations to realize this until when the cloud application fails to perform, and the company’s corporate network is not functional. Also, it is important for organizations to note that the use of single sign-on in cloud computing may lead to complications where the company cannot sign in to its cloud application. This occurs when the data center of the company is not functions or when the data center goes down completely.
Conclusion
All in all, cloud business continuity provides services which are there to stay and help company a lot. But as the companies and organizations rely much on these services, they should know that cloud storage has its demerits. Therefore, it is important for the companies to “look before they leap.”
References
Halpert, B. (2011). Auditing Cloud Computing: A Security and Privacy Guide. John Wiley & Sons.
Snedaker, S. (2013). Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning for IT Professionals. Newnes.
