Why does my company need a disaster recovery plan?

Hardware failures, user error, viruses, software issues and natural disasters. All of these can be deemed IT nightmares. All your business data, emails and important documents have been lost. What do you do?

Whether it’s caused by human error or other, incidents that lead to a loss of data can be detrimental to a business. Although we can’t foresee these things coming, we need to expect the best and prepare for the worst as data loss events are anything but uncommon. The importance of a disaster recovery plan cannot be overstated. Regardless of industry, when an unforeseen event takes place and brings day-to-day operations to a halt, your organization needs to recover as quickly as possible and continue to provide services to your clients.

When effectively implemented, it empowers companies to break the boundaries of work styles and get things done from anywhere, on any device, and at any time using secure tools that enhance the way things work, not complicate it.

What is a disaster recovery plan?

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a procedure that protects and recovers a business’s IT infrastructure. As organizations rely more on technology and electronic data for their daily operations, the amount of data and information technology infrastructure lost to disasters is increasing. The disaster recovery plan focuses on the specified steps that a company is to take before, during, and after a disaster. The ‘disaster’ refers to any intentional, unintentional, man-made, or natural accident and breakage.

Cost Savings
One of the most significant benefits of a DRP is the long-term cost savings. A successful DRP includes preventative measures to reduce the risk of man-made disasters, detective processes to spot unwanted activity, and corrective actions to quickly restore lost data and resume business as usual even after a disaster occurs.

Maximum Productivity
Executing a successful DRP is often dependent on having the right people in a position to lead during a disaster. With specific roles and responsibilities assigned in advance, you’ll be able to act quickly to increase effectiveness and productivity. Your employees will also feel a sense of security knowing leadership has everything under control.

Customer Loyalty
Your clients expect a lot from you, and in today’s world of competition, they’re not quick to forgive in the case of failure or downtime. If you’re unable to meet customer expectations, they can simply take their business to your competitor. A disaster recovery plan allows you to maintain your customer service quality, regardless if you’re faced with an unpredictable event.

Other key reasons why a business needs a detailed and tested disaster recovery plan include:
• To minimize interruptions to normal operations.
• To limit the extent of disruption and damage.
• To minimize the economic impact of the interruption.
• To establish alternative means of operation in advance.
• To train personnel with emergency procedures.
• To provide for smooth and rapid restoration of service.

Preparing for what can happen
Companies that don’t currently have a plan in place may recognize the importance of a Disaster Recovery Plan but struggle with getting started. Those who have not been affected by unforeseen events and costly unplanned downtime may even think that they are immune from disaster. However, it is better to be prepared since the cost of not having a plan in place can pose serious risks for an organization. With a disaster recovery plan in place, we can make sure that your business bounces back as quickly as ever when a disaster strikes and offer you peace of mind with regards to the recuperation of data in an unexpected event.

Final note
While there is no one size fits all plan for a disaster recovery plan. Our team can get you started with a comprehensive DRP. We’ll work with you to fully understand your needs and develop a unique plan that can keep your business running no matter what the future has planned for you. Contact us today to learn more.with our team.