CTS - Computer Technology Specialists
Disaster Recovery for Melbourne Finance Firm
A Melbourne finance firm engaged CTS to turn an untested backup into a genuine, documented disaster recovery capability. The firm had regulatory continuity obligations but could not say how, or how quickly, it would recover its systems after a serious incident. CTS implemented immutable backups, defined recovery targets, authored documented runbooks, and put a regular testing regime in place so recovery is proven rather than assumed.
Melbourne IT support with visible local credentials
CTS - Computer Technology Specialists has supported Melbourne SMBs since 2000. Contact: 1300 790 780, hello@cts.au, L30 - 35 Collins St Melbourne 3000.
Certifications, affiliations and technology partners
Microsoft Partner, ACSC Essential Eight aligned, ISO 27001 practices, NBN Business Accredited Adviser, Cisco Partner, Dell Partner, HPE Partner, Arcserve Partner, Broadcom Partner, Kyocera Partner.
The challenge
The firm had the appearance of protection — backups were running — but none of the assurance that comes from a tested, documented recovery process.
- Backups were running but had never been tested for a successful restore
- There was no documented recovery process for staff to follow under pressure
- Recovery time and recovery point objectives were undefined
- Regulatory continuity obligations were not evidenced
- Ransomware was a recognised but unaddressed risk to the backups themselves
The CTS solution
CTS built a recovery capability the firm can rely on and demonstrate.
- Implemented immutable backups resilient to ransomware and accidental deletion
- Defined and documented RTO and RPO targets for critical systems
- Authored step-by-step recovery runbooks for each key system
- Replicated critical workloads to enable rapid cloud recovery
- Established a schedule of recovery tests with documented results
Testing regime
Recovery is only credible if it is regularly proven, so testing is built into the ongoing service.
- Quarterly restore tests validating that systems recover within target
- Documented test outcomes retained as continuity evidence
- Runbooks maintained and updated as the environment changes
The results
The firm now has a tested, documented disaster recovery capability that meets its continuity obligations.
- Recovery proven through scheduled, documented test restores
- Documented runbooks staff can follow to recover systems under pressure
- Defined RTO and RPO targets giving clear recovery expectations
- Immutable backups resilient to ransomware
- Continuity obligations evidenced for regulators and auditors
Technologies deployed
Immutable cloud backup, Microsoft Azure replication, and documented recovery runbooks with a scheduled quarterly testing regime.
Frequently asked questions
What makes disaster recovery different from just having backups?
Backups are copies of data; disaster recovery is the tested, documented ability to restore systems within a defined time. This firm had backups but no proof they would work or how long recovery would take. CTS added immutable storage, defined targets, documented runbooks and regular testing — turning backups into genuine, evidenced disaster recovery.
How often should disaster recovery be tested?
CTS recommends and runs quarterly recovery tests for finance firms, validating that critical systems restore within their target times and documenting the results as continuity evidence. Regular testing ensures recovery still works as the environment changes.
Does this help meet regulatory continuity obligations?
Yes. By defining recovery targets, documenting runbooks, and retaining the results of regular recovery tests, CTS gives the firm the evidence it needs to demonstrate a working business-continuity capability to regulators and auditors.