Create a Game Plan to Implement Cloud Backup the Right Way

Optimzie your backup initiative and mitigate the challenges of the cloud

Implementing a solution that does not meet the organization’s requirements for backup and recovery
A misconception of the real value proposition for the cloud, leading to a solution that costs more for the same capabilities as an alternative
Vendor lock-in
An inaccurate estimate of the level of effort required by transitioning to cloud backup, leading to budget overruns and missed implementation goals
Implementing a solution that does not meet requirements for security or compliance
Missing out on the opportunities of cloud backup due to fear, uncertainty, and doubt

Determine if the cloud is a good fit for the organization’s backup needs
Identify the best technical approach to cloud backup for the organization
Strategize how to approach cloud vendors to ensure a favorable contract
Identify barriers and challenges to targeting backups at the cloud and build a road map to mitigate these
Improve operational efficiencies around backup and recovery
Transition from legacy tape technologies and enhance recoverability of data in long-term storage
Avoid significant capital investment and transition to a subscription-based model for backup
Access advanced data center capabilities that may otherwise be out of financial reach for the organization

Activities:		Outputs:
1.1	Document stakeholder goals for cloud backup	Documented stakeholder goals
1.2	Document present backup processes	Current backup process diagrams
1.3	Document ideal backup processes	Ideal backup process diagram
1.4	Review typical benefits of cloud backup

Identify candidate data sets for cloud-based backup
Determine RPOs and RTOs for candidate data sets
Identify potential value specific to each data set for targeting backup at the cloud
Evaluate organizational readiness for targeting backup at the cloud

Documented recovery objectives
Recommendations for cloud backup based on actual organizational needs and readiness

Activities:		Outputs:
2.1	Document candidate data sets	Validated list of candidate data sets
2.2	Determine recovery point and recovery time objectives for candidate data sets	Specific RPOs and RTOs for core data sets
2.3	Identify potential value of cloud-based backup for candidate data sets	An assessment of the value of cloud backup for data sets
2.4	Discuss the risk and value of cloud-based backup versus an on-premises solution	A tool-based recommendation for moving backups to the cloud
2.5	Evaluate organizational readiness for cloud backup
2.6	Identify data sets to move to the cloud

Understand different cloud provider models and their specific risks
Identification of how cloud backup will affect IT infrastructure and personnel
Strategize ways to mitigate the most common challenges of implementing cloud backup
Understand the client/vendor relationship in cloud backup
Understand the affect of cloud backup on data security

Verified best-fit cloud provider model for organizational needs
Verified strategy for meeting the most common challenges for cloud-based backup
A strong understanding of how cloud backup will change IT
Strategies for approaching vendors to ensure a strong footing in negotiations and clear expectations for the client/vendor relationship

Activities:		Outputs:
3.1	Discuss the impact of cloud backup on infrastructure and IT environment	Cloud risk assessment
3.2	Create a cloud backup risk contingency plan	Documented contingency strategies for probabe risks
3.3	Document compliance and security regulations	Negotiation strategies for dealing with vendors
3.4	Identify client and vendor responsibilities for cloud backup	A committed go/no-go decision on the value of cloud backup weighted against the effort of implementation
3.5	Discuss and document the impact of cloud backup on IT roles and responsibilities
3.6	Compile a list of implementation intiatives
3.7	Evaluate the financial case for cloud backup

Determine any remaining gaps between the present state and the ideal state for cloud backup
Understand the steps and time frame for implementing cloud backup
Allocate roles and responsibilities for the implementation intitiative
A validated implementation road map

Activities:		Outputs:
4.1	Perform a gap analysis to generate a list of implementation intiatives	A validated gap analysis
4.2	Prioritize cloud backup initiatives	A prioritized list of cloud backup initiatives
4.3	Assess risks and dependencies for critical implementation initiatives	Documented dependencies and risks associated with implementation tasks
4.4	Assign ownership over implementation tasks	A roadmap for targeting backups at the cloud
4.5	Determine road map time frame and structure
4.6	Populate the roadmap with cloud backup initiatives