Sep 4, 2025
Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. For example – it could be as simple as a vehicle accident into a utility pole that takes out power and/or communications, or more severe, like a broken pipe that floods your building over the weekend, or devastating, like total loss of a facility due to fire or earthquake. Disasters aren’t a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when.” From cyberattacks to natural events or unexpected system failures, any organization that relies on IT systems faces risk. That’s why a disaster recovery plan is essential: it’s the roadmap for restoring critical systems and data when something goes wrong.
A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a documented, step-by-step strategy that defines how an organization will restore its IT systems, applications, and data after an unexpected event. It identifies priorities, sets recovery expectations, and clarifies responsibilities for every scenario. The importance of a DRP is clear – 93% of businesses that suffer data loss for 10 or more days file for bankruptcy within a year, according to Framework IT.
Unlike broader business continuity planning, which covers the entire organization, a DRP focuses specifically on technology and data. It answers critical questions like:
- How will systems be restored if servers or storage fail?
- Where are backups stored, and how quickly can they be accessed?
- Who is responsible for each step of the recovery process?
In short, a DRP ensures that when disruptions occur, your business can minimize downtime, protect data, and continue operations with as little interruption as possible.
Why Location and Infrastructure Still Matter
It’s easy to assume that cloud-based or off site backups alone are enough. But location and physical infrastructure play a critical role in true resilience. Systems stored in the same region – or worse, on the same campus – remain vulnerable to single events that can take down both production and backup environments.
Fort Rock Data Center addresses this by providing a geographically stable and secure facility east of the Cascade Mountain Range designed to protect against regional risks. Located on 4,000 feet of solid granite and basalt outside the Cascadia Subduction Zone, Fort Rock minimizes the chance of downtime from earthquakes or other natural disasters. Geographically diverse off site data and systems backups are the backbone of robust disaster recovery strategies and better ensure business continuity when unexpected disasters strike.
Benefits of a Strong Disaster Recovery Strategy
Faster Recovery and Minimal Downtime
A properly designed DRP ensures organizations experience as little downtime as possible and that the affected location can resume operations quickly. By combining resilient infrastructure, off site backups, and automated processes, IT teams can reduce their maximum acceptable downtime (Recovery Time Objective/RTO) and minimize their maximum acceptable data loss (Recovery Point Objective/RPO).
Reduced Risk of Data Loss
Backups alone aren’t sufficient if they’re vulnerable to the same threats as your primary systems. A combination of geographically separated storage, secure colocation, and redundant infrastructure keeps critical data safe from local outages, cyberattacks, or accidental deletions. Bend, OR has a risk rating of ‘relatively low’ on the FEMA National Risk Index while the majority of the west coast is rated in the ‘relatively moderate’ to ‘very high’ range.
Compliance and Security Alignment
Many industries require strict adherence to regulatory mandates for data protection. DRPs anchored in SOC II Compliant facilities like Fort Rock allow organizations to meet these standards, document procedures for audits, and maintain operational continuity across private and hybrid environments.
Preparedness for Any Scenario
Disasters aren’t only natural; they can include ransomware attacks, power grid failures, or unintentional human error. A properly orchestrated DRP provides a tested path for every scenario, giving organizations confidence that they can maintain service and recover critical assets, no matter the cause of disruption.
Fort Rock Data Center: The Physical Anchor for Disaster Recovery
Fort Rock is a purpose-built facility designed to support disaster recovery strategies at every level:
- Tier III Reliability: Fully redundant critical systems provide fault-tolerant power, cooling, and network connectivity to ensure continuous operation with a 99.995% uptime guarantee.
- Colocation & Continuity: Businesses can host critical infrastructure at Fort Rock to ensure data and operational system integrity if primary locations are compromised.
- 24/7/365 Expert Support: On-site data center technicians are available around the clock to assist with recovery tasks, troubleshooting, and system management.
- Compliant and Ready for You: Fort Rock’s systems and infrastructure support strict regulatory requirements, giving organizations peace of mind when handling sensitive or mission-critical data.
By combining physical resilience with modern digital strategies, Fort Rock ensures that your DRP is actionable, reliable, and practical. Remember, developing a DRP isn’t a one-and-done exercise. It requires testing, updating, and alignment with evolving business needs and technology. Organizations that integrate colocation flexibility with a physically resilient facility gain a hybrid strategy that protects data, ensures uptime, and reduces operational risk.
While downtime can’t always be prevented, the impact and duration can be controlled with proper planning. With a robust DRP anchored by Fort Rock Data Center, organizations can rest assured and have confidence that their systems, data, and operations are protected.
Need help with your Disaster Recovery Plan or have questions? Click the button below to get in touch.
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