The Top 5 Risks of Migrating Your Disaster Recovery Services — and How to Eliminate Them
With the right partner, switching disaster recovery providers doesn't have to be disruptive. In this blog we break down the top 5 perceived risks of switching DR providers, and how to proactively eliminate them.
Business Continuity, Compliance, Data Protection, Disaster Recovery, DRaaS, Managed Services
In 2025, the Disaster Recovery (DR) landscape is undergoing major change.
Some long-standing disaster recovery providers have exited the market or are significantly scaling back operations — including major data center closures — forcing clients to reassess their DR strategy. While some organizations may have already been considering a switch due to performance or support issues, the urgency introduced by these closures means migration is no longer optional and is now an urgent matter of business continuity.
Even so, many IT teams hesitate to undertake a migration, understandably.
Disaster Recovery is the last line of defense against ransomware, outages, and compliance exposure. Even dissatisfied customers often choose to “wait it out” because they perceive DR migration as risky, fearing downtime, compliance failure, or project overload.
But the truth is, with the right partner, DR migration doesn’t have to be disruptive. In fact, it can be the beginning of a stronger, more reliable recovery posture.
Let’s break down the top 5 perceived risks of switching DR providers — and how to proactively eliminate them.
Risk #1: Unplanned Downtime During Migration
Why it’s a concern:
Downtime is the number one fear surrounding DR transitions, and for good reason. A poorly planned migration can disrupt internal systems, damage SLAs with external customers, and create internal distrust that lingers long after cutover.
How to eliminate it:
Downtime risk isn’t a given, it’s a controllable variable. A structured migration approach includes:
- Phased cutovers to avoid service gaps
- Parallel replication and testing to validate recovery paths in advance
- Rollback options in case of unexpected behavior
Pre-migration testing should simulate the entire failover process, from workload recovery and network routing to application performance and end-user accessibility. Organizations that take a test-first, “no surprises” approach dramatically reduce the risk of downtime.
Risk #2: Mismatch Between DR Infrastructure and Application Needs
Why it’s a concern:
DR environments aren’t just storage vaults, they’re live recovery systems. But in hybrid or legacy-heavy environments, not all platforms recover the same way. Some workloads might not be fully supported by a new DR provider, and interdependencies between systems can create failure points if not properly accounted for.
How to eliminate it:
A detailed technical assessment before migration is critical. This should include:
- Platform mapping for x86, IBM Power, Mainframe, VMware, and cloud-native systems
- Application interdependency diagrams
- RPO/RTO validation for each critical service
This ensures that the recovery infrastructure isn’t just technically compatible but functionally aligned with the business.
Risk #3: Lack of Internal Bandwidth to Support Migration
Why it’s a concern:
IT departments are already managing digital transformation, security initiatives, and everyday operations. DR migrations, especially under time pressure, can feel like “yet another project” that no one has time to own.
How to eliminate it:
The solution lies in partner-led execution. A capable DR provider should offer:
- A dedicated migration team with project management, engineering, and architecture resources
- A clear communication plan so your team remains informed but not overloaded
- Hands-on execution of replication, testing, and cutover
- Ongoing support both during and after the migration
This allows your internal IT team to stay focused on business operations while the provider handles the technical transition.
Risk #4: Compliance and Regulatory Exposure
Why it’s a concern:
DR migrations often involve sensitive workloads, and any misstep could lead to compliance violations. Industries like healthcare, finance, and government can’t afford even a single data handling or availability lapse during transition.
How to eliminate it:
Work with providers that can demonstrate:
- Certifications like SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and ISO 27001
- Proven experience in migrating regulated workloads
- Documentation and audit trails at every step of the migration
A compliant migration is not just about encryption — it’s about maintaining continuity of governance and control from day one to day done.
Risk #5: “What If It’s Just the Same Problem Again?”
Why it’s a concern:
Many organizations have been let down by providers who promised robust DR capabilities but failed to deliver when it mattered most. Trust is hard to earn, and even harder to rebuild.
How to eliminate it:
Choose a provider whose entire business is centered on disaster recovery, not one that treats it as an add-on or secondary service. You want measurable results, including:
- Year-over-year improvements in RPO/RTO
- Documented test success rates
- Proactive support responsiveness
- Transparent SLA reporting
If your next provider can’t show real operational performance, walk away.
A Real-World Example: Migration Without the Mayhem
A global scientific research leader recently faced this exact challenge: their legacy DR provider was exiting the market, leaving critical x86 and mainframe systems vulnerable. With regulatory obligations to uphold and zero tolerance for downtime, they turned to Recovery Point.
The result?
- Zero unplanned downtime
- A fully managed migration in weeks
- Regulatory and compliance controls maintained at every step
“Working with Recovery Point never disappoints. Everyone from Recovery Point is a pleasure to work with and always available. Thank you for all you do.”
— Enterprise Compute Manager, Global Research Organization
Making the Move, the Right Way
Migrations are never trivial, but they don’t have to be traumatic.
With the right methodology, governance, and expertise, switching DR providers can be a moment of transformation: not just keeping the lights on, but raising the bar for resilience, performance, and peace of mind.
At Recovery Point, DR and resilience is all we do — and we’ve done it for over 40 years. From regulated industries to complex hybrid environments, we lead organizations through high-stakes transitions without disruption.
Ready to make the move?
Contact us to connect with our team now.
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