There are four classic DR strategies.
They form a clear spectrum across cost, data freshness, time to serve traffic, and operational complexity.
1
Backup & restoreNothing ready except protected backups and IaC.
Cheapest · slowest
2
Pilot lightCritical data core is alive; most compute ignites later.
Low-moderate cost
3
Warm standbyA smaller but complete environment is already running.
Common enterprise middle ground
4
Active-activeMultiple regions actively serve traffic all the time.
Fastest · hardest
Coldest
Hours+
Provision and restore from scratch.
Best data
Minutes
Pilot light keeps the data path fresher.
Best balance
Warm
Real capacity exists before disaster.
Most complex
Active
Consistency and split-brain become central.