A natural disaster is not something you want to think about, but to ensure the livelihood of your business, you’ll need to be prepared just in case. The best way to handle a tech disaster is to have a proactive plan in place before the disaster occurs. If you don’t have a backup disaster response plan and need help getting one started, reach out to us today. No company wants to experience a tech emergency but pretending it won’t happen to you won’t make the possibility go away. Be prepared with these tips:
Proactive Solutions
From earthquakes and flooding to power outages and extreme winds, the damages to your IT infrastructure can be extensive. The first step to ensuring your data is safe is by implementing backup options. We like to use the saying “don’t keep all your eggs in one basket” when it comes to backups. Not relying on a single storage solution or a single back up technique will help ensure your data is safe from a variety of attacks. Using multiple methods is a better strategy because it provides a safety net in response to multiple catastrophic possibilities. Ready.gov provides some great resources for backup plans and says: “The impact of data loss or corruption from hardware failure, human error, hacking or malware could be significant. A plan for data backup and restoration of electronic information is essential.”
Once you create a solid IT disaster recovery plan, put it in place by testing it out and seeing if it works. Consider factors such as who will announce the disaster to employees and customers? How will everyone get informed? How long do you expect it will be before your back up and running? Where will you be storing data, and how will you be able to access it? Creating the plan is step one but making sure you can execute it is just as important. Simulate a disaster a couple times a year to make sure everything is working and will give you a chance to fix whatever didn’t work before disaster strikes.
It’s a good idea for important data to be stored securely off site and on the cloud. You also want to be consistent with your backups. Automate this process to ensure backups are done reliably and consistently. You never know when disaster will strike, and if you’re not consistently backing up your data, you could lose critical data if the timing doesn’t work out in your favor, which it likely won’t.
Quick Response is Key
Getting back up and running after a disaster is possible with good planning. Decide which circumstances will activate the plan, what the protocols are after disaster strikes and who will perform what functions, and come up with a priority list of what to tackle first. Restoring data is more than simply copying files. With the right backup system, you can restore applications, preferences, procedures, and more. Operate your business with confidence by working with us to create a well-designed plan for your business’s specific needs.
