How to Become a Disaster Recovery Specialist

All businesses, no matter how successful or long-standing, will always deal with risks. These could stem from both real-world incidents, and today, they are more likely to stem from the digital sphere. For instance, some of the biggest cyberattacks of 2021— including the ones involving the Metropolitan Police Department, CNA, and the Microsoft Exchange Server— resulted in millions in losses and breached data.
How disaster recovery as a service works
To help companies prepare for the worst, disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) has become more crucial than ever. DRaaS works as a cloud computing service model that allows an organization to back up its data and IT infrastructure. Disaster Recovery Certified Specialists (DRCS) handle and implement these plans, and work with the technology department within an organization to develop programs and look at resources necessary for technical recovery. With that, DRCS is a promising career path that offers lots of opportunities for growth in the future.If you’re interested in pursuing it as a career, read on to learn more.
What it takes to be a disaster recovery specialist
Any disaster recovery specialist should have an advanced understanding of infrastructure technology. Moreover, they also must have the ability to manage dedicated servers like ours here at GigeNET, as well as other operating systems, cloud architectures, and storage. Such dedicated servers provide safety and security to businesses, but also require efficient management. This is why many employers tightly align cybersecurity efforts with data recovery, and prioritize hiring individuals with specializations in this field.
The process of becoming a disaster recovery specialist
57.7% of disaster recovery specialists have a bachelor’s degree, and 11.1% have master’s degrees. Pursuing education in the said field can give you an edge, and with data recovery becoming a crucial part of every company’s data security plan that advantage will only grow. Depending on the organization and the position you’re eyeing, years of work or education may be necessary. Professionals with a master’s degree in cybersecurity are often trained in focus areas such as IT management, cyber defense, cybersecurity incidents, among others. You may also need to pass the Disaster Recovery Certified Specialist Qualifying examination.Completing these steps will allow you to go into specific positions in the disaster recovery field like chief information officer, network architect, or security engineer, as well as in various business settings including government, corporations, or IT. Network architects are particularly relevant as they help design and review how your business interacts with, accesses, and benefits from the internet— including how data is stored in the cloud.
Other skills needed for disaster recovery specialists
Forbes highlights how a specialist should also have supplementary skills in addition to their technical credentials. They must have an understanding of the complexity of the IT environment they’re working in, grasp how to prioritize critical applications over others, and know that backup or recovery is much more than finding the right product. Of course, soft skills like critical thinking, strong interpersonal skills, knowledge of different technologies, and the ability to lead diverse teams are also necessary.Working as a disaster recovery specialist can be both challenging and rewarding. But for those who have a passion for finding solutions and leading organizations, you could definitely make a difference in the future of public safety. For businesses or DRCS professionals looking for quality, dedicated servers, feel free to browse our listed servers here at GigeNET. We also offer our own DRaaS services, so feel free to contact us to get a custom quote.