The IT revolution has ensured that a vast majority of companies started relying on computer technology to run their critical businesses. Firms are forced to acknowledge that computers and systems are prone to sustained outages and the resultant business impact. Additionally, there is the risk of losing all computer services for days at a time due to natural or manmade disasters. While previously the term ‘disaster recovery’ simply meant the quick resumption of lost data, it is increasingly being realized that major disasters would not only disrupt computer services, but other critical business processes having little or nothing to do with IT. There is a gradual evolution from mere IT disaster recovery into enterprise-wide business continuity. GAIA rolled out its disaster recovery and business continuity programs as a pioneering step towards providing a hitherto-non existent, end-to end solution for the offshore businesses.

GAIA ITES is uniquely positioned to provide this service across all industries, platforms and applications. While our focus clearly is on disaster prevention through best practices management, GAIA also provides detailed, client-specific disaster recovery (DR) programs and services. GAIA uses a best-of-breed approach to protecting information assets, strategically teaming internal expertise with third-party solutions to protect our clients' operational integrity from unavoidable events.

Our primary emphasis goes beyond technical issues to address the bigger picture of helping businesses restore normal information systems operations following an outrage. From systematic backups of data that are regularly removed from data facilities and stored in secure repositories, to full-scale duplicate sites that can be hot-switched on a moment's notice, GAIA provides a wide range of solutions that fit the nature of the data being handled and the enterprise being supported.

GAIA approaches DR as a multidisciplinary function. Our comprehensive plans are led by a technical services group that represents key areas throughout the extended information enterprise. Expert groups representing areas such as desktop management, software assets, network services, and client applications join data center response personnel in assuring rapid restoration of total IT operations.

Beyond preparing for potential disaster situations, our team works with clients to implement meaningful preparation tests. A variety of identified scenarios are tested and results are used to enhance the state of client readiness. Mock runs are consistently run to ensure preparedness at short notice. Many members of our DR team are Certified Business Continuity Professionals (CBCP), a credential of the Disaster Recovery Institute International.