Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) Practice Exam

Which recovery strategy can minimize downtime when a disaster occurs?

1. Manual recovery steps

2. Automated recovery steps

3. Approximately planned downtime

4. Frequent manual backups

The correct answer is: Automated recovery steps

Automated recovery steps are designed to streamline and expedite the process of restoring services after a disaster, thereby minimizing downtime. This approach typically involves predefined procedures and scripts that can be executed quickly and reliably, reducing the time required to bring systems back online. In the context of disaster recovery, automation plays a critical role, as it not only enhances the speed of recovery but also reduces the potential for human error that can occur during manual intervention. Automated recovery processes can leverage tools and services such as Azure Automation, Azure Site Recovery, or orchestration capabilities, which allow for consistent, repeatable recovery actions. In contrast, other strategies present challenges that can lead to longer downtimes. For instance, manual recovery steps often require significant time and effort for a team to assess the situation, determine the appropriate actions, and execute those actions. This can introduce delays and uncertainty during a recovery scenario. Approximately planned downtime may indicate scheduled periods during which services are intentionally taken offline for maintenance or upgrades, which does not directly address unexpected outages. Frequent manual backups, while important, do not directly contribute to rapid recovery; instead, they focus on data preservation rather than the efficiency of the recovery process itself. Overall, the correct recovery strategy emphasizes the use of automation to achieve quick, reliable