A report from 2021 showed that 51% of SMBs aren’t prepared with a continuity plan to respond in the event of a disaster. A well-designed disaster recovery plan will help you minimize the impact of an interruption to your business operations. It should identify the essential functions of your company and provide a step-by-step guide on how to restore them after a disaster.
Developing a business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) plan may seem like a daunting task, but it is vital to the survival of your business. By taking the time to create a comprehensive plan, you can ensure that your company is prepared for anything that comes its way.
What is a Disaster Recovery Plan?
A disaster recovery plan is an outline designed to help your business recover quickly from any emergency. This includes natural disasters, like hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, or cyber attacks, including ransomware, phishing attacks, and hardware failure.
A good system recovery plan will identify the operations within the company that are vital, and tell you how to reinstate them if something bad happens. An effective plan requires work and planning, but it’s crucial for the survival of your business.
What Goes Into a BCDR Plan?
Several elements should be included in your company’s BCDR plan to ensure that your systems are protected:
Data Backup and Recovery Procedures
Your plan should include detailed instructions on how to backup your data and store it safely off-site. This will ensure that you can still access your important files even if your primary location is damaged or destroyed.
Network Configuration
A diagram of your network infrastructure will help you quickly identify any problems and get your systems back up and running.
Employee Training Program
Provide your employees with training to know what to do in the event of a disaster. This includes who to contact and what procedures to follow.
Emergency Communication Plan
Having a way to quickly get in touch with all of your employees is essential for coordinating a response to a disaster.
Physical Security Measures
If your business is located in an area prone to natural disasters, you’ll need to have a plan in place for how to protect your physical premises. This could include installing flood barriers or securing important equipment.
Plan Testing and Updating
Regularly test your disaster recovery plan to make sure it’s ready to go in case of an emergency. You should also update it habitually as your business changes and grows.
Prepare Your Company Against Disaster
Disasters can happen at any time, and they have the potential to cause massive damage to companies of any industry or size. That’s why it’s imperative to have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place.
RESULTS Technology is a great resource for Kansas City companies looking to develop or enhance their BCDR plan. We have a team with the skills and tools necessary to protect your company’s systems and data from disasters of all kinds. Contact us today to get started!