IT Disasters can happen at any time— cyberattacks, natural disasters, or a simple hardware failure. And dealing with one puts you at risk of losing everything. All your files, and years of information stored in your systems gone. Plus, an attack could completely disrupt essential operations and mean huge financial setbacks. Being ready can make all the difference. We’ve put together a straightforward guide to creating a basic disaster recovery plan that will save you time and money in the event of an emergency.
Know Where the Backup Is
Start by figuring out where your backups are stored. This could be in the cloud or on an external hard drive. Regularly check that your backups are working and that your data is current. We can help you set up reliable backup solutions that fit your needs.
Know Where to Assemble
In case of a disaster, have a clear spot where your team and your IT provider can meet. This could be a physical location or a virtual space where everyone can connect online. Make sure everyone who needs to know where to go and how to communicate during an emergency is aware of the plan ahead of time.
Know How to Recover Your Data
Familiarize yourself with the process of restoring files from backups. We can help train your team on this so they know exactly what to do when needed. Or, in the event of an emergency we can deploy our team to do this for you. The important thing is planning ahead, just in case.
Where Will I Work? Will I Have Access to My Data?
Think about where your team will work after a disaster. Will you have a temporary office, or will employees work from home? Ensure that everyone can access important data remotely so you can keep things running smoothly even if you’re not in the office.
Test the Backup
Regularly test your backups to make sure they actually work. Check that all important data is being backed up properly and can be retrieved easily. This step is crucial to avoid a concerning surprise later on.
Test the Recovery Exercise
Finally, conduct a recovery exercise. This is a practice run where you simulate restoring data and operations. Testing helps you spot any weaknesses in your plan and allows your team to feel more confident in their roles. We can help run your team through this exercise.
Creating a disaster recovery plan doesn’t have to be complicated. At Sure Systems, we’re here to make the process easy for you. By being prepared, planning in advance and ensuring you’ve tested your plan, you’ll be better prepared to handle unexpected events. Remember, being ready today can protect your business tomorrow!