IT Disaster Recovery for SMEs: Practical Guide

DR Does Not Have to Be Expensive

Small businesses think DR is enterprise stuff. With cloud backups and simple procedures, SMEs can achieve acceptable DR at minimal cost.

Minimum Viable DR

• 3-2-1 backup: 3 copies, 2 media, 1 off-site (cloud)
• RTO target: 24 hours for non-critical, 4 hours for critical
• RPO target: 24 hours for most systems
• Communication plan: WhatsApp group + phone tree
• Documented procedures: Step-by-step recovery guide

Cost Comparison

DR Option	Annual Cost	RTO	Best For
Cloud backup only	₹12,000-24,000	24 hours	Small teams
Cloud + hot standby	₹60,000-1,20,000	4 hours	Mid-size teams
Full DR site	₹2,00,000+	1 hour	Enterprise