Preparation is key to preventing a data disaster. Here are some of the most effective ways to ensure your business can survive catastrophe
Data disasters aren’t always predictable. Power outages, floods, fires and all manner of other external issues can play havoc with your business. Around 20% of businesses experience some form of system failure each year, with 80% of those businesses going under as a direct result within the following twelve months. Every year, businesses in the U.S. lose around $12 billion dollars due to some form of system failure, and the data loss it causes, and this statistic is reflected across the world.
Because of how unpredictable these problems often are, it is vital that your business has a disaster plan in place, to ensure your company survives any data disaster that comes its way. Here are 5 essential steps you should take to protect your business, courtesy of Syntax IT Support London.
Be sure everyone knows who is responsible for what
All right, the worst has happened. A data disaster has occurred and there was nothing you could do to prevent it. So what’s the next step? Assigning specific roles to different members of your team in preparation for just such a catastrophe will make the recovery process go much more smoothly. If every member of staff knows who to turn to for every step of the recuperation procedure, they are less likely to panic and make mistakes. Nobody goes into work expecting that day to bring a data disaster, but preparing and training your staff could make the difference between saving your business and watching it fail.
Create a communication plan
This is one of the most overlooked areas of data disaster recovery. In the event of a system failure, who will get in touch with your employees to let them know what has happened and what they should do next? Do they know how to access the system so that they can perform their duties? It is possible that a data disaster will result in problems with email and telephone communication, so have a backup communication plan in place, to make sure everyone is informed and prepared.
Make an inventory of your hardware and software
Ensure that those in charge of data recovery have an inventory at their disposal of all your hardware and other applications, in order of importance, so they can check that every part of your business’s system is accounted for. Also, make sure they have easy access to telephone numbers for technical support, so that it is easier for them to keep everything backed up and working as efficiently as possible.
Define your business’s tolerance for data loss and downtime
After you’ve made your inventory, determine how much data loss and lack of system access your company can stand. If you are a construction company for example, you will be able to withstand a prolonged lack of data for much longer than an online boutique. Be aware of where your business sits on this spectrum, so that you have a better idea of the kind of solution you need in place to overcome and recover from disaster.
Have a backup worksite
A data disaster might not just affect the technology of your business. A fire, a flood, or any other kind of physical catastrophe could make your permanent worksite unusable. It is therefore important that you have an alternative, temporary worksite, where your employees can do their job after a data disaster. Ensure they know where to go and how to access the company system from a temporary location.
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