Take a chance on virtualized backup and disaster recovery

Editor's note

Disaster recovery and data backup are two elements of storage that will never go out of style, given their necessity. The methods of backup and DR, however, frequently change as the technology around them evolves. Organizations will always need to recover data following a disaster, but how they choose to do so has transformed over time. Virtualized backup and DR are recent developments in the data protection world that are making waves.

In the age of ransomware, users are taking advantage of virtual disaster recovery following an attack. Because modern malware has rendered many physical storage protections null, virtual disaster recovery has become an important tool of the ransomware fight. The simplicity and faster recovery time of virtual DR systems are particularly helpful features for organizations when as little downtime as possible is crucial.

As storage and its related costs grow, virtualized backup continues to gain popularity. Not every organization can afford enough on-site, physical storage to ensure proper backup and speedy recovery, and some don't particularly want to. Traditional on-site storage has its own benefits but doesn't necessarily lend itself to simplified DR.

Virtualized backup and DR don't come without their share of challenges. Virtual machine (VM) sprawl and network issues can spell performance problems, and without proper testing, the level of data protection may not be as effective as it should be. Luckily, there are answers to most virtual data protection woes out there.

Below, we've compiled a selection of pieces detailing the benefits of virtual disaster recovery and backups -- where they're being used, what issues they confront and what hurdles you'll need to watch out for if you're considering virtual data protection. Curious about what is currently on the market? We've also made sure to include vendor products and developments in the field so you can see what is out there and where the technology may be headed.