Organizations handle disaster recovery (DR) in multi-cloud environments by adopting strategies that ensure data protection and service availability across different cloud platforms. One common approach is to use a combination of backup and replication. This means that critical data is regularly backed up to multiple cloud providers. For instance, a company might use AWS for standard operations while simultaneously backing up its databases on Google Cloud. In the event of a failure in one cloud environment, the organization can quickly restore its systems using the data stored in the other cloud.
Another key strategy is the implementation of orchestration tools that automate the failover process. These tools can detect issues in the primary cloud service and automatically reroute traffic to a secondary cloud platform. For example, if an application hosted on Microsoft Azure becomes unavailable, an orchestration tool can switch users to a version of that application running on IBM Cloud. This reduces downtime and maintains business continuity. Organizations often use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to define their DR plans, allowing for easier management and updates across multiple cloud platforms.
Finally, regular testing is critical in ensuring that a DR plan is effective. Organizations need to simulate various disaster scenarios to assess their ability to recover quickly. They may conduct failover drills that involve switching workloads to another cloud provider and verifying that all services are functioning properly. For instance, a company might conduct quarterly tests that involve switching from Amazon Web Services to Oracle Cloud to ensure all data is intact and accessible. By continuously testing and refining their DR processes, organizations can better prepare for real-life failures and minimize potential disruptions to their services.