ITM527 MOD3: Cloud Computing for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

Cloud Computing in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
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Cloud Computing in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Cloud Computing in DR and BC
Disaster recovery and business continuity are essential aspects of an organization, as they define the ability of the business to bounce back from a disaster. The two aspects are interrelated in that the continuity of a business after a disaster depends on the capability of the IT systems to back up crucial data. Cloud computing has become an important hub for DR and BC due to its use in controlling data traffic over long distances, by applying traffic management that is cloud based (Craig, 2012).
Cloud can also be used in business continuity and data recovery, through the application of the concept of cloud virtualization that can facilitate replication, backup, and sharing of workloads, data in the image and other formats. For image virtualization, cloud uses it to span worldwide data centers as required by a business organization. Spanning can be achieved by using Open Stack and Cloud Stack, virtual and image management. Cloud computing also contributes to the DR by utilizing hardware and storage intelligence. The capabilities of cloud computing in the sector include controller multi-tenancy, data duplication and rapid site-to-site replication (Disaster Recovery World, 2016). Cloud computing mirrors databases and applications for easy recovery and continuation of business
Pros and Cons
Cloud computing ensures that data is stored in an off-line mode such that any localized disaster will not affect the functioning of an organization, hence cloud computing adds to resilience and adaptability of business to calamities and data insecurity. Cloud computing as an approach to DR and BC, is a cost-effective and a reliable strategy of securing organization’s data (Craig, 2012).
Cloud computing being a modern strategy requires skilled personnel as it is prone to human oversights and mistakes. It implies that it may be costly for small firms (Hostway, 2010, pg. 8). Cloud computing requires regular rigorous maintenance, failure to which it may result in permanent loss of data in case of a disaster.
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