var tooltip = document.createElement('div'), arrow = document.createElement('div'), inner = document.createElement('div'), new_tooltip = {}; if (elem.getAttribute('required') !== null) { addEvent(radios[i], 'click', function() { After all, the solution vendor promised data recovery in minutes. break; if (elem.options[i].selected && !elem.options[i].value) { if (!selected) { No one wants to discover an issue when they no longer have the ability to fix it. If you cant answer that question with an unequivocal, Were ready! you should be investing greater time and resources in disaster recovery testing. Take note of these guidelines: Testing lapses happen for any number of reasons. Theres no way youll be successful in recovery without testing. }

var getUrlParam = function(name) { If your requirement is 48 hours, you should be testing twice per year. Remember: The more frequently you put your people through their paces, the more prepared theyll be to respond in the face of disaster. Build an integrated plan, accelerate adoption, and optimize for maximum performance, agility and ROI. func.apply(this, arguments); script.src = url; }; However, 95% of companies that invest in disaster recovery testing manage to fight back. Today, too many organizations implement backup and, Test both your disaster recovery solution, While automated disaster recovery tests serve an important purpose, they only test the technical component of your, Commit to regular disaster recovery testing, That will depend on your businesswhat works for a local advertising agency wont work for a regional financial institution. Thats fine as long as you get back on schedule with your testing program. } window._show_error = function(id, message, html) { Needless to say, it is extremely hard to restore a damaged reputation after a prolonged disruption that caused your customers downtime. tooltips[i].tip.parentNode.removeChild(tooltips[i].tip); With regular disaster recovery tests and continuous improvements to your plan, youll be prepared to weather any storm. If so, its time to gather key stakeholders to determine your acceptable level of risk and how you can reduce the impact of data loss and downtime. Prevent and detect security threats, minimize risks, and adopt proven cyber incident response plans. } }; It allows you to automate your backup jobs and disaster recovery processes while ensuring data integrity across various platforms (physical, virtual, or cloud). if (old_error) old_error.parentNode.removeChild(old_error); Statistics show that 95% of companies worldwide invest considerable resources in planning for the worst. if (needs_validate(input)) { script.type = 'text/javascript'; var err = form_to_submit.querySelector('._form_error'), no_error = true; }; But dont take a temporary shift in priorities as an excuse to forego testing. Still, make no mistake: natural disasters can cost your business greatly. Every day that you are not proactive, you risk jeopardizing the future of your brand. var remove_tooltips = function() { Whatever backup solution you choose, dont forget to study the best practices for disaster recovery testing and include them in your strategy. selected = true; }; } else { } else { })(input); } else if (elem.type =='checkbox') { addEvent(input, 'input', function() { var setCookie = function(name, value) { if (!submitted) { tooltips = []; if (elem.options[i].selected) { You will soon realize that every recovery job is different from the previous one. if (needs_validate(elem)) { form.querySelector('._form-content').style.display = 'none'; selected = false; This information will help you amend the plan and fix any weak links before a real disruption happens. } else if (typeof(trackcmp_url) != 'undefined' && trackcmp_url) { This method is similar to the simulation described above, but this time the scenario includes the total failure of operations in your main site. for (var i = 0, len = allInputs.length; i < len; i++) { } } Employee training can help a lot, but there is no way to guarantee that mishaps will never happen. Whether youre already a testing evangelist or need to brush up on the importance of disaster recovery (DR) testing, heres an overview of why testing matters, what can happen without testing, and guidelines for how to approach testing to ensure your systems are ready for recovery. If your systems can never be down, you owe it to yourself to test much more frequently. "); remove ? oldFunc.apply(this, arguments); Did the disaster recovery test reveal any holes? Modern consumers are extremely demanding. You can insure your business against losses, but no insurance policy can replace the data lost during an outage. tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Please select an option. } else if (input.type == 'textarea'){ Why disaster recovery testing is important. var div = document.createElement('div'); You cant be successful in recovery without it. Conducting both tabletop tests and simulated technical tests will help ensure your people are prepared to execute against your documented policies and procedures. You may assume you can get that done, but you need confirmation that a given input will produce the desired outcome. var elem = allInputs[i]; } We recommend storing backups in an offsite storage site as it is highly unlikely that both the primary and secondary locations will fail simultaneously. if (allInputs[i].type == "radio" || allInputs[i].type == "checkbox") { wrapper.appendChild(err); } for (var i = 0; i < tooltips.length; i++) { Some companies have been taxed by changes during the pandemic and have had to defer tests for a couple months as they figure out problems theyve never faced before. }; for (var i = 0; i < elems.length; i++) { Long gone are the days when business documents were stored in notepads. As soon as your main VM recovers, you can just as easily switch the workload back to the production environment. var expireTime = time + 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24 * 365; new_tooltip.no_arrow = true; return false; (function() { if (tooltips[i].elem === elem) { Perpetual licenses of VMware and/or Hyper-V, Subscription licenses of VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix, AWS and Physical, I agree to the NAKIVO button.parentNode.insertBefore(wrapper, button); } Nearly 80% of unplanned downtime is caused by IT failures and power outages. e.preventDefault(); If youve always worked from the office and havent set up the configuration from home, thats an adjustment youll need to make. "); Theres no universal answer here, but theres a spectrum of testing frequency based on how much downtime your business can afford. This information is key for reducing your data storage costs, improving the RTO and RPO, and advancing your overall approach to data protection. If you have any questions, we are ready to help. tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, err.join('
')); Given the complexity and interdependencies among todays systems, missing even one critical piece of data can result in an inability to bring up your production applications in your recovery environment. } if (typeof serialize !== 'undefined') window._old_serialize = window.serialize; Get in touch with a Sungard AS sales specialist. } tooltips.splice(i, 1); There are a few principles to keep in mind about DR testing, especially in the wake of a major disruption like the COVID-19 pandemic. Windows, Linux, and ESXi Users Beware: New Threats Coming From Luna and Black Basta Ransomware. document.cookie = name + '=' + value + '; expires=' + now + ';path=/'; remove_tooltip(elem) : false; var resize_tooltip = function(tooltip) { } } else if (value === undefined || value === null || value === '') { if (no_error && elem.name == 'email') { tooltip.tip.className = tooltip.tip.className.replace(/ ? Will your disaster recovery plan see you through ransomware attacks, hardware failures, and natural disastersor will you be caught flat-footed? Or worse, you have the name and number of the person youre supposed to call, but when you dial the number, you find out that person no longer works for the company. visitorObject('update'); tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "This field is required. for (var i = 0, len = allInputs.length; i < len; i++) { | By Tom Webster if (input.type == 'text') { } } if (email && typeof visitorObject !== 'undefined') { You should, however, make sure your team has viable access to the recovery center if working situations have changed. err.push("Checking %s is required".replace("%s", elems[i].value)); Now that you know how important disaster recovery testing is, let us demonstrate how you can perform it. match[2] : null; Thankfully, there is a way to mitigate the risks, and that is to design a detailed disaster recovery (DR) plan, which, for example, can be used to organize Hyper-V disaster recovery activities. callback(); var results = new RegExp(regexStr, 'i').exec(window.location.href); var match = document.cookie.match(new RegExp('(^|; )' + name + '=([^;]+)')); Factor possible natural disasters into your recovery plan and run disaster recovery testing to see if your staff and infrastructure are ready. var remove_tooltip = function(elem) { elems[i].className = elems[i].className.replace(/ ?_has_error ?/g, ''); And, with regular turnover of your IT staff, regular tests will be absolutely critical when it comes to spinning up new team members. if (elems[i].checked) no_error = true; This is a great starting point as it is the most basic option. Yet, in our recent survey of 600 channel partners and IT decision-makers, only 44 percent had a disaster recovery plan in place. When running your disaster recovery test, it will be crucial to task one person with observing and documenting the test; this should be their sole purpose on test day. } else { And trust me, a lot can go wrong when a disaster strikes. Running DR tests can give you a real understanding of your RTO and RPO and help you adjust your plan as necessary. (function(el) { element['on' + event] = function() { validate_field(elem) ? addEvent(input, 'input', function() { |. Many companies have a two-day or one-day recovery requirement. inner.className = '_error-inner'; And, if youre required to comply with stringent regulations like PCI DSS, we recommend more regular testing. return true }; validate_field(this, true); if (!value.match(/^\d\d\d\d-\d\d-\d\d$/)) { If you have any questions, we're ready to help. }; } Comprehensive continuity solutions for all of your critical assets; data, applications, workforce. var validate_field = function(elem, remove) { if (window.location.search.search("excludeform") !== -1) return false; elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error'; if (element.addEventListener) { } var oldFunc = element['on' + event]; However, if your hardware fails at some point, it will shut down right along with the data. Read on to learn how to develop a DR testing strategy for your company and why it should include NAKIVO Backup & Replication. If you are interested in our product, request a live demo or download the full-featured free trial to see for yourself all the benefits NAKIVO Backup & Replication has to offer.

for (var i = 0; i < allInputs.length; i++) { window._form_serialize = window.serialize; elem.parentNode.insertBefore(tooltip, elem); } else if (input.tagName == 'SELECT') { } Policy *. var fieldVal = getUrlParam(allInputs[i].dataset.name); Backup and recovery analysis can give you a deep insight into the real state of your IT infrastructure. } [a-z]{2,})$/i)) { err.appendChild(div); You dont want the bank to process payroll during the test, but you do want to take the payroll system as far as you can in creating that file and analyzing whether it would match what you would send to the bank. return true The method involves attempting a full recovery from an offsite storage. } else { tooltip.tip.className = tooltip.tip.className.replace(/ ? The only way to truly protect your documents and files is to create a DR plan and run regular tests. Nature and technology often seem to exist within two separate planes. More and more organizations are relying on digital information for their daily operations, and criminals are taking notice. DR testing matters because the recovery process is based not only on your recovery procedures but on coordination, collaboration and sequencing. if (html) { Another feature that can help you with disaster recovery testing is Site Recovery. Privacy We hope that now you have a better understanding of how neglecting disaster recovery testing may put your business at serious risk. var now = new Date(); Disaster recovery testing involves simulating an IT failure or any other type of business disruption to assess a DR plan. if (elem.type != 'checkbox') elem.className = elem.className.replace(/ ?_has_error ?/g, ''); tooltip.appendChild(inner); var _removed = false; That said, we recommend you run a full test at least every year. }); if (elems[i].getAttribute('required') === null) continue; "); And, of those, only 31 percent ran disaster recovery tests more than once a year. That will depend on your businesswhat works for a local advertising agency wont work for a regional financial institution. tooltips.push(new_tooltip); if(el.name === 'email' && el.value !== ""){ Full stop. arrow.className = '_error-arrow'; This point goes hand in hand with the previous one. Disaster Recovery Testing and Why Your Business Needs It, NAKIVO submitted = true; The truth is that without thorough testing, even a brilliant plan is doomed to fail. var create_tooltip = function(elem, text) { Another factor to consider is major changes to your environment, or to internal or external requirements. } "); now.setTime(expireTime); But to ensure you can successfully recover, bringing something forward from production should be an automatic fail because thats not possible in a true disaster. Testing the disaster recovery plan with NAKIVO Backup & Replication 9.1 should be as easy as 1-2-3. However, you can set out certain documented exceptions to the full plan that you simply cant execute as part of a test. The more time you take to recover, the more customers you risk losing to your competitors. validate_field(this, true); }); var form_to_submit = document.getElementById('_form_5_'); }; tooltip.className = '_error'; if (validate_form()) { found = true; addEvent(form_to_submit, 'submit', form_submit); } div.innerHTML = html; But before a test, you can make the decision to leave that connection to the bank out of the testing process. document.querySelector('#_form_5_submit').disabled = true; for (var i = 0; i < elem.options.length; i++) { Data storage lifespans: How long will media really last? allInputs[i].value = fieldVal; They expect every service to be available 24/7 without any disruptions. Once the trust is gone, it is nearly impossible to regain it. That said, we recommend you run a full test at least every year. It may seem like a short period of time, but the losses can sometimes be huge. Policy, design a detailed disaster recovery (DR) plan, 3-2-1 Backup Rule: Implementing Efficient Data Protection, A Guide to Running Automatic and Manual Office 365 Updates, Oracle Database Administration and Backup, NAKIVO Backup & Replication Components: Transporter, Virtual Appliance Simplicity, Efficiency, and Scalability, Introducing VMware Distributed Switch: What, Why, and How. } head.appendChild(script); if (!no_error) { for (var i = 0; i < elem.options.length; i++) { It is worth incorporating regular DR tests into your maintenance plan and staff training agenda. If you are still not convinced that testing the disaster recovery plan is necessary, see the list of business risks you may face otherwise. Do not let the high expectations of consumers put you out of business. Youre in the middle of a crisis and have a problem, but dont know who to call. In many industries, 24/7 access to data and applications is crucial. October 27, 2020 } remove_tooltips(); This means that regular disaster recovery testing can help your company not only minimize the downtime but also maintain the necessary certifications. no_error = elem.checked; if (allInputs[i].value == fieldVal) { These are the best disaster recovery testing practices that are successfully being used in many organizations around the world. var err = form_to_submit.querySelector('._form_error'); tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Please select an option. For example, after a disaster, youll want to establish a link to your bank in your recovery system to process payroll. Investing in a quality backup and replication solution allows you to minimize the losses and achieve business continuity. var doc = document.documentElement, scrollPosition = rect.top - ((window.pageYOffset || doc.scrollTop) - (doc.clientTop || 0)); Sorry, the language specified is not available for this page. An absolute requirement for a successful recovery is to have all of your required data in place. Would you like to ensure the lowest possible recovery time objective in the event of system failure? And if you dont test your plan ahead of time, it wont be long before you learn the true meaning of Murphys law. } else { If you need your business functions up and running in a week (which would be surprisingly long), testing once per year could be fine. var radios = form_to_submit.elements[el.name]; var input = allInputs[i]; return match ? It is no secret that acquiring new customers is harder and more expensive than retaining existing ones. var allInputs = form_to_submit.querySelectorAll('input, select, textarea'), tooltips = [], submitted = false;

Now imagine how much money you will lose in two or three hours of downtime. } var rect = tooltip.elem.getBoundingClientRect(); no_error = true; } new_tooltip.elem = elem; no_error = false; if (!no_error && e) { } };

if (scrollPosition < 40) { addEvent(window, 'scroll', resize_tooltips); for (var i = 0; i < radios.length; i++) { decodeURIComponent(results[1]) : false; In 80% of cases, if a company closes for longer than a week, it never resumes operations again. var elems = form_to_submit.elements[elem.name]; if (elem.type == 'radio' || (elem.type == 'checkbox' && /any/.test(elem.className))) { With the Site Recovery feature, it is easy to run SR workflows in a test mode without disrupting your production environment. tooltip = create_tooltip(elem, "Enter a valid date. I addEvent(input, 'blur', function() { var getCookie = function(name) { } } Thanks to computers, we now have more efficient solutions for accumulating data and making sure no information gets lost in a dusty archive. if (!r && (!this.readyState || this.readyState == 'complete')) { }; var regexStr = '[\?&]' + name + '=([^&#]*)'; window._show_thank_you = function(id, message, trackcmp_url, email) { elem.parentNode.appendChild(tooltip); Organizations have been able to execute DR plans remotely for a while now, so whether your team is working in the office or from home, they should be able to participate in a recovery event. First and foremost, you need to implement a reliable backup solution with an offsite storage facility. err.className = '_error-inner _form_error _no_arrow'; Executing tests at that frequency will help you to confirm if anything in your environment has changed. if (_removed) return; var wrapper = document.createElement('div'); } } Your disaster recovery plan is only as good as your weakest link. if (window._old_serialize) window.serialize = window._old_serialize; elem.value = elem.value.trim(); } Hackers now can access companies networks to steal the data or inject a virus. var addEvent = function(element, event, func) { (_above|_below) ?/g, '') + ' _above'; true : no_error = false; NAKIVO can contact me by email to promote their products and services. if (no_error && /date_field/.test(elem.className)) { } _load_script('https://nakivo12.activehosted.com/proc.php?' You might think you have a solid plan in place, but there are so many issues that can arise throughout a recovery, from communications to logistics to an array of technical glitches. } Today, too many organizations implement backup and disaster recovery solutions and assume theyre prepared to face any eventuality. Well, thats great, but we simply cant emphasize enough how important it is to validate your solutions and processes. const vgoAlias = typeof visitorGlobalObjectAlias === 'undefined' ? err.innerHTML = message; The updated Instant Verification feature can automatically check the validity of your backups and replicas each time a recovery point is created. for (var i = 0; i < tooltips.length; i++) { 'vgo' : visitorGlobalObjectAlias; // Site tracking URL to use after inline form submission. Also, it is twice as hard to re-acquire the old customers who switched to your competitors after an IT failure. so you never miss out on our offers, news and discounts. Business environments are prone to change, which in turn call for the appropriate amendments to your DR plan. var elems = form_to_submit.elements[elem.name], found = false, err = []; } addEvent(window, 'resize', resize_tooltips); if (elem.tagName.toLowerCase() !== "select") { } } allInputs[i].dataset.name = allInputs[i].name; }); validate_field(this, true); tooltip ? Probably the most under-recognized reason for testing the disaster recovery plan is the opportunity it provides to learn from your experience. allInputs[i].checked = true; } selected = false; Lets assume youve already fully-documented your infrastructure, application dependencies, data flows, costs of downtime, and SLAs. These may include starting/stopping/failing over/or failing back your VMs/instances, running/stopping/enabling/disabling jobs, sending notifications, etc. resize_tooltip(tooltip) : false; } } "); visitorObject('setEmail', email); elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error'; The main objective of disaster testing is to check if an organization can restore operations within the planned time. } By running DR tests beforehand, you can identify existing infrastructure vulnerabilities beforehand and fix them before these vulnerabilities can be exploited by hackers, thus putting your system at risk. Nonetheless, the advent of new technologies has brought along with it a series of new challenges. And when they do crash, it is sometimes impossible to restore or retrieve the lost data. tooltip.innerHTML = text; + serialized + '&jsonp=true'); if (!tooltips[i].no_arrow) resize_tooltip(tooltips[i]); This method involves executing the DR plan in a test environment with no disruption to the production workflow. All the testing in the world serves little purpose if you dont leverage the insight youve gained to address vulnerabilities in your disaster recovery plan. You need to find your points of failure and fix them before a real disaster strikes. window._old_serialize = null; }; elem.className = elem.className + ' _has_error'; } } else if (input.type == 'radio' || input.type == 'checkbox') { no_error = false; for (var i = 0; i < tooltips.length; i++) { Consider them closely before deciding which provides the right approach for your organization. It can be anything from accidentally deleting an important file to simply clicking the wrong button. var results = new RegExp(regexStr).exec(allInputs[i].name);

Sitemap 15