As a cybersecurity company working with regulated industries, we’ve seen just how differently businesses interpret “disaster recovery.” Some rely on a single backup drive down the hall, others deploy redundant systems across time zones. The truth is, disaster recovery (DR) isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about understanding your business needs and downtime tolerance, as well as crafting a strategy that’s realistic and resilient. Especially for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), a well-thought-out disaster recovery plan can mean the difference between business continuity and business closure.

One of the most overlooked aspects is the geographic placement of your backup site. Industry best practices recommend locating your off-site data 30–100 miles from your primary location. That range balances two crucial needs: distance from shared disaster risks (like power outages or severe weather) and the ability to replicate data with minimal latency. Anything beyond 200 miles can introduce network lag and recovery delays. Pearl Technology’s data centers are located in Central Illinois and offer a sweet spot—safe from most coastal and seismic threats, yet close enough for same-day access if needed.

Here’s a scenario many businesses haven’t considered: transferring 100 terabytes of backup data over a 100 Mbps internet connection takes over 92 days—and that’s assuming no interruptions. Even with improved rural connectivity like Starlink or EPL (Ethernet Power Line), data volumes often far outpace bandwidth. That’s why proximity matters. A nearby colocation site enables physical access to your backups. In a worst-case scenario, you could drive to the facility and retrieve your data the same day—something most cloud solutions can’t match.

Choosing the right DR site also means evaluating security, accessibility, and infrastructure. Is the facility on a separate power grid? Does the facility offer multiple ISPs and diverse paths? Is it SOC 2 Type 2 certified? At Pearl’s data centers, the answer is yes across the board. We’ve built in redundant power, cooling, and connectivity, with two private Ethernet lines between sites for ultra-low latency replication. Each facility is positioned on a separate grid, outside floodplains and seismic zones, ensuring resilience during regional events.

Colocating also helps businesses sidestep aging hardware issues, power management concerns, and rising cloud egress fees—all while ensuring security and uptime. Our DC experts are here to assist, with MFA access, remote hands support, and environmental controls that meet or exceed Tier III standards. Whether you’re replicating data, staging warm standby systems, or preparing for full failover, we provide the foundation to make business continuity practical and fast.

If it’s been a while since you tested a full backup restore—or if you’re unsure how your current setup would hold up in a real disaster—now’s the time to take action. The best disaster recovery plans are the ones you never have to use, but they only work if they’re built with the right partner. Let’s talk about how our colocation services in the Midwest can become your safety net—and your strategic advantage.