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RTO vs RPO: the dynamic duo of disaster recovery

Rosie Anderson
Written by Rosie Anderson
January 20, 2025
Tags – ,

RTO vs RPO: the dynamic duo of disaster recovery

As part of the preparation for a Crisis Simulation for a customer, I have been learning about Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, so I thought I would share some of my learnings on the important points of RTO vs RPO.

When it comes to disaster recovery and business continuity planning, RTO (Recovery Time Objective) and RPO (Recovery Point Objective) are the Batman and Robin of keeping your business alive during chaos. Sure, they tackle different problems…but when it comes to RTO vs RPO, they work best when paired up.

So let me explain!

Recovery Time Objective (RTO): how fast can you bounce back?

Think of it like a car MOT but for your business’s cyber security! Just as a car MOT checks all the critical components to ensure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy, our Cyber MOT examines the most important areas of your organisation’s security posture to ensure it’s up to industry standards. We provide you with a clear picture of your strengths, weaknesses, and any areas that need immediate attention.

But why should you start with a Cyber MOT? Well, because diving into new security tools or services without first assessing your current setup is like buying a new car without checking if it fits in your garage. It’s not just a waste of time and money – it could also leave you vulnerable in areas you didn’t realise were at risk.

Recovery Point Objective (RPO): how much data can you lose?

  • Definition: RPO is your time machine. It’s all about how far back in time you’re willing to rewind when recovering data.
  • Focus: Data – how much can you afford to lose before it starts hurting?
  • Ask yourself: “If disaster strikes, how much data loss is acceptable?”
  • Example: If your RPO for a database is 15 minutes, your backups or replicas need to keep up. That means no more than 15 minutes of data goes *poof* when disaster hits.

RTO vs RPO: the showdown

RTO vs RPO: why they both matter

Really, we shouldn’t think of RTO vs RPO. The two are like crackers and cheese; essential on their own but unbeatable together

  • RTO gets your business back on its feet, minimising downtime.
    RPO ensures you’ve got the data to keep moving forward.

Together, they guide your disaster recovery strategy.

  • A short RTO might mean investing in hot failover systems.
    A low RPO? Time to amp up those real-time backups or replication solutions.

Pro tip: Treat these metrics as living, breathing parts of your business strategy. Test them, tweak them, and make sure they align with your operational needs. Because when disaster strikes, you don’t want to find out your plan was as sturdy as a paper umbrella.

So the next time you’re reviewing your disaster recovery plan or your crisis preparations, ask yourself: are your RTO and RPO ready to save the day?

Get in touch!

If you want to ensure you have someone to call on in a crisis, contact me to discuss what options will best suit your business. You can also check out our blog on our DFIR Service for more information.

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Rosie Anderson

This article is written by

Rosie Anderson

Head of Strategic Solutions

Also known as our Magical Genie Person, Rosie helps businesses solve their cyber challenges. Fascinated with the cyber security industry, and believes in giving back. Rosie co-founded Bsides Lancashire, brought back BSides Leeds, is the Head of Industry Mentoring at CAPSLOCK and hosts the Bee in Cyber podcast.

Favourite bands: Oasis and The Beatles. Dream job as a child: Lawyer. Favourite TV show to binge-watch: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. First meal after being stuck on a desert island: Full English Breakfast