Top 10 Factors for Choosing Disaster Recovery as a Service in Nepal

In today’s digital-first world, businesses rely heavily on data and IT systems to operate efficiently.  

A single disruption whether from a cyberattack, natural disaster, or hardware failure can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and operational downtime. 

A Disaster Recovery as a Service in Nepal ensures that businesses can quickly restore critical systems and data after an unexpected event.  

However, not all DR solutions are created equal. Choosing the wrong one can leave your organization vulnerable when disaster strikes. 

This guide explores the top 10 factors to consider when selecting a disaster recovery solution, ensuring your business remains resilient, compliant, and operational under any circumstances. 

What is Disaster Recovery? 

DRaaS (Disaster Recovery as a Service) is a cloud-based service that helps businesses recover their data and IT systems after a disaster like cyberattacks, power failures, or natural calamities. 

Disasters can happen in both the physical and digital worlds like floods, power outages, cyberattacks, or system failures.  

Since businesses rely heavily on their IT systems, any downtime can cost thousands (or even millions) of dollars per minute. 

Companies expect their IT teams to keep everything running 100% of the time, even with limited resources. 

Disaster recovery (DR) is a plan that ensures a business can quickly restore its IT systems if the main setup fails.  

It’s more than just backing up data it includes all the hardware, software, and configurations needed to fully take over if the primary system goes down.  

When a company outsources this to a third-party provider, it’s called Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS). 

10 things to consider while choosing Disaster Recovery as a Service in Nepal 

1. Define Your Recovery Speed Limits (RTO & RPO):

A. Recovery Time Objective (RTO):

The maximum time your business can afford to be offline. 

Example: A bank needs systems back in minutes, while a small shop may tolerate hours. 

B. Recovery Point Objective (RPO):

The maximum data loss you can accept. 

Example: A financial institution may need real-time backups, while a school can afford to lose a day’s data. 

Why It Matters in Nepal? 

After the 2015 earthquake, businesses with clear RTO/RPO recovered 70% faster as per (Asian Development Bank). 

Solution: 

• Identify critical systems (e.g., payment gateways, customer databases). 

• Choose a provider (like DataHub Nepal) that allows custom RTO/RPO settings. 

2. Scalability: Plan for Future Growth: 

Data grows as your business do, and you need a scalable solution for your Disaster Recovery need. 

Solution: 

• Cloud-based DRaaS  – scales with your business. 

• Pay-as-you-go pricing, reduce CapEx and only pay for what you use. 

3. Cyber Resilience: Protect Against Ransomware: 

Hackers often target backups to stop recovery. A good disaster recovery plan should: 

• Keep backup data safe even if attacked. 

• Help you find clean recovery points 

• Have strong security like encryption and access controls. 

What to Look For: 

• Wide range of Security Services: One-stop solution for your IT requirements, simplifying your IT management. 

• Immutable backups:  hackers can’t encrypt them. 

• Local expertise: Prompt response and quick solutions. 

4. Data Center Location: Speed vs. Compliance: 

If backups are in Singapore, recovery may be slow due to the higher latency. 

Legal Requirements: 

Nepal’s Privacy Act (2075) requires local storage for sensitive data (health, finance). Source (Lawimperial) 

Solution: 

• Hybrid approach: Keep critical data in Nepal, non-sensitive backups abroad. 

• Edge computing: Faster recovery with local servers. 

5. Provider Experience: Avoid Amateurs: 

Good customer support is crucial. Check the provider’s service agreements (SLAs) to make sure they’ll help quickly when you need it. 

How to Choose? 

• Check certifications (ISO 27001) and expertise.  

• Look for uptime guarantee: Can they meet your up-time requirement? 

• Ask for local case studies: Have they helped Nepali businesses before? 

• 24/7 Local support: Can they assist during emergencies? 

6. Cost vs. Value: Avoid Hidden Fees: 

Compare the cost of the solution to the cost of not having one. Think about: 

• How much downtime would cost your business. 

• Lost customers or sales if systems are down. 

• The total price, including setup, maintenance, and updates. 

Solution: 

• Demand full cost breakdown before signing. 

• Negotiate SLAs – Pay only if they meet RTO/RPO targets. 

7. Easy Integration with Your Systems: 

Your disaster recovery solution should easily connect with your existing tools and software. Look for solutions with APIs so you can automate and manage everything smoothly. 

Solution: 

• Choose API-friendly providers (e.g. DataHub Nepal). 

• Test backups first in a sandbox environment. 

8. Backup Frequency: Don’t Settle for Daily Backups: 

If a fire destroys your server just before midnight, you lose 23 hours of data. 

Solution: 

• Continuous Data Protection (CDP): Real-time backups. 

• Incremental backups: Only save changes (saves storage costs). 

9. Compliance: Follow Nepal’s Data Laws: 

• Privacy Act (2075): Fines up to Rs. 30,000 for breaches. (Source: Pioneerlaw) 

• Constitution (Article 29): Protects data privacy. 

Solution: 

• Use providers that offer compliance reports (GDPR, HIPAA).  

• Keep sensitive data in Nepal. 

10. Testing: Practice Before Disaster Strikes: 

Can you test your recovery plan without causing problems?  

Regular testing ensures everything will work when a real disaster happens. 

Solution: 

• Run quarterly disaster drills (earthquakes, cyberattacks). 

• Automate testing (some DRaaS tools do this). 

How to Start a DRaaS Project? 

1. Identify Risks:  

Consider possible disasters based on your location. For example, a company in Nepal must prepare for the disaster like earthquakes, landslides, flood, fire etc. 

Choosing a DR provider with data centres too close (like in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur) may not be ideal. 

In the past, businesses had to keep their backup on-site, nearby their own IT staff, but service provider expertise in DRaaS eliminates this need. 

2. Assess Business Needs:  

Think beyond IT. Business leaders should determine how long they can function without critical systems and what recovery time is acceptable.  

Many businesses use cloud-based tools like  DataHub Nepal and Google Workspace which already offer some disaster recovery protection. 

However, mistakes like accidental data deletion can still occur, and a proper DRaaS can help prevent data loss. 

3. Consider Backup vs. Full Disaster Recovery:  

Some businesses only need data backup (Backup as a Service, BaaS), which keeps copies of data offsite but doesn’t restore applications.  

Others need full DRaaS, which ensures both data and applications can be quickly recovered. 

Key Factors When Choosing a DRaaS Solution 

• Backup Capabilities: How often is data backed up? Where is it stored? How easy is it to restore? 

• Recovery Options: What steps are needed to detect and recover from failure? 

• Disaster Protection: Can the service recover from different types of disasters (power failures, floods, cyberattacks, etc.)? 

• Business Continuity Goals: Does the service meet your company’s recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO)? 

• Cost & Complexity: How much control does your IT team need? Do you want a fully managed service or more hands-on involvement? 

Why Choose DataHub Nepal for  DRaaS Solution? 

In today’s digital-first world, businesses in Nepal and beyond need a reliable, secure, and cost-effective Disaster Recovery (DR) solution to protect against data loss, cyberattacks, and unexpected downtime.  

DataHub Nepal stands out as a leading Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) provider, offering enterprise-grade resilience tailored for Nepalese businesses. 

• Reliable & Secure: Ensures your data is always safe and quickly recoverable during disasters. 

• Cost-Effective: Saves money by offering scalable solutions without heavy infrastructure costs. 

• Fast Recovery: Minimizes downtime with quick and efficient disaster recovery. 

• Expert Support: 24/7 professional assistance to handle any IT emergencies. 

• Local Reach: Strong infrastructure in Nepal with two major city Kathmandu and Butwal connectivity. 

With DataHub Nepal, your business stays protected, no matter what! 

Conclusion  

In today’s digital world, businesses in Nepal cannot afford long downtimes or data loss. 

Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is the best solution to ensure your IT systems stay up and running, even after unexpected disasters like cyberattacks, power failures, or natural calamities. 

Choosing the right DRaaS provider requires careful consideration of factors like recovery speed (RTO & RPO), cybersecurity, cost, data center location, compliance, and backup frequency.  

By choosing a reliable and scalable DRaaS solution, businesses can minimize downtime, protect critical data, and continue operations without disruptions. 

For businesses in Nepal, DataHub Nepal stands out as a trusted DRaaS provider, offering fast recovery, top-notch security, expert 24/7 support, and cost-effective solutions tailored for local needs. 

Don’t wait for a disaster to strike! Secure your business today with the right DRaaS solution and stay protected against any unforeseen events. 

FAQ