CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database that offers users the ability to optimize for low latency or resilience. Data topology patterns are crucial in multi-region deployments, as they map the shape of a cluster and determine how data is replicated and geographically distributed across nodes. There are three common topology patterns: Follow the Workload (default pattern), Geo-Partitioned Replicas, and Geo-Partitioned Leaseholders. Each pattern has different survivability capabilities and can be chosen based on specific latency and resilience requirements.