We have all come to rely heavily on technology in the workplace. You might be one of the few that thinks you don’t, but if you looked at all of the processes that support the functions of your business, you would find some crucial elements that depend on technology. So what happens when that software or equipment stops working or is compromised? Do you have a plan in place when a disaster like this strikes?
There are many companies that never bounce back from a disaster simply because they were not prepared for the consequences. Surprise events like natural disasters and even cyber attacks rarely discriminate, and they always hit the unprepared the hardest. If you are a business leader, you have probably heard of having a business contingency plan or continuity plan.
These are established step-by-step strategies that are built on business impact analysis, risk management, and ensuring that your business is equipped to keep running no matter what happens. The precautions you take today will pay off when your company is still functioning despite being hit by an unexpected incident.
What Goes Into A Disaster Recovery Plan?
So, you understand the necessity of data security and robust backup and recovery plans, but how do you create a contingency plan? What should be included in your disaster recovery plan? When you reach out to us, we can give you a detailed plan for disaster recovery, but there are some elements that are universal across all plans.
- Create An Inventory
Every business’ plans need to include an inventory of all of the hardware and software in the workplace. This inventory should also be prioritized by importance for the functions of the business, so everyone knows what is most essential. - Define Recovery Time Objectives
This is an excellent place to start. You need to know how much downtime your operations can tolerate. In a perfect world, you would want your systems back online in seconds, but this is not always possible. Establish your recovery time objectives for each application and piece of hardware. - Delegate Responsibility And Leadership Roles
When disaster strikes, it is vital that people know who to turn to and that everyone knows their responsibilities. These leaders will need to know when to spring into action and activate your disaster recovery precautions. - Establish A Communication Plan
There are endless types of disasters that your business might face. Many might result in a breakdown in communication. You need backup ways of connecting to your people and the support teams you need. Effective communication in a crisis can make a big difference. - Put Plans In Place
This might sound simple, but it is crucial to have plans in place that are pre-set and ready to be put in action. In the midst of an emergency or disaster, you don’t want anyone wondering what the plan is or what the next step is. - Guarantee Service Levels
Working with a managed service provider is one of the most effective ways to guarantee your disaster recovery and the ensure the safety measures you are taking will be effective. However, you should find an MSP that provides a service-level agreement (SLA) that guarantees effective disaster recovery. - Form Strategies For Sensitive Information
Beyond everything else, you need to know that your most sensitive data is safe and taken care of. Your needs to specifically address how your most valuable information will be protected and maintained. - Test Your Precautions And Plan Routinely
No plan is complete without testing its effectiveness. These tests will help point out any weaknesses in the plan and ways you can make improvements. You might have an internet connection that is too slow to restore your data from the backup copies, or a critical contact might have changed their phone. There is no shortage of ways your plan can be affected by outside sources. Your plan needs to be adaptable and flexible.
At Willow Bend Systems, we develop customized technology solutions that are geared to the particular goals of every client. The same goes for the backup strategies for your operating systems and data storage systems. We will work with you to establish data backups of your most vital file systems and talk about the value of tools like cloud services and cloud storage on data centers. They can hold massive amounts of data and provide superior data protection while still making it accessible from multiple locations and even mobile devices.
Contact us today to learn more about our disaster recovery planning and all the of the other services that we can provide at Willow Bend Systems.