Continuity Centers

It’s not a matter of if disasters will strike, but when

Companies cannot use any excuses when it comes to their business continuity and disaster recovery protocols. Disruptions can and will strike at any moment. Depending on the severity of the incident, operations may be down for more than just an hour or two.

Heinan Landa, a contributor to The Business Journals, recently wrote that plenty of companies tell him about their disaster preparedness shortcomings. Some organizations lack the time to devise comprehensive recovery strategies while others are so overwhelmed that they cannot test for every possible disruption scenario. Others admit they simply have an inadequate plan altogether.

Landa asserted disasters will happen at some point, regardless of circumstances. He also cited a Federal Emergency Management Agency report detailing the hard truth of inadequate planning. The organization indicated 75 percent of organizations without business continuity protocols will close within three years of experience disasters.

Simple ways to devise the right plans
Although some businesses clearly lack the internal resources to create extensive recovery plans, there are some ways to create modest safeguards to start this necessary process. Landa explained organizations must first understand the five levels of disasters, starting from small to wide-scale incidents.

"Organizations cannot avoid disasters altogether."

Firms should determine whether they can restore certain files and emails if they are lost during disasters. Next, businesses should consider whether server failures will be an issue if they cannot virtualize assets stored on these systems or access back ups, Landa suggested.

Some disasters may make companies' buildings inaccessible. During such events, can firms access their office network remotely? If the workplace is completely destroyed, is the infrastructure gone too? Landa also encouraged companies to consider if their businesses can survive if incidents impact the entire city where their brands are located.

Disaster specialists help companies improve their BC/DR protocols. Disaster specialists help companies improve their BC/DR protocols.

With so much to consider, don't hesitate to bring in professionals
The plan laid out by Landa is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to establishing organization-wide protection. Firms that want to focus on their core business goals, rather than trying to juggle all of the tasks necessary for continuity, should consider contacting disaster specialists for assistance.

Much like how organizations outsource certain IT systems to trusted third-party partners, companies that bring in recovery specialists will leave the development of continuity protocols up to the experts. These vendors will analyze the client's infrastructure to identify any vulnerabilities and then make recommendations based on this information.

Some customers may do well by hosting IT assets in cloud computing environments where assets are available through the Internet. Companies with workers dispersed throughout different locations can thrive in this scenario, since employees do not have to be physically at the office to remain productive If offices are inaccessible, personnel can simply use their PCs or mobile devices to access documents and data essential for performing their jobs.

Unless businesses suddenly have the time and energy to go over their recovery protocols in detail, companies should not let their internal shortcomings stop their brands from receiving the necessary protection against disasters. Recovery specialists are a smart investment for any firm that wants to avoid prolonged downtime and potentially shutting down altogether.

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