More and more small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are starting to integrate the latest technology into their operations to improve productivity. This means that having a disaster recovery plan (DRP) should no longer be an option, but an essential part of your business to ensure it can fully recover after a disaster. A disaster can range from a simple power outage to hardware issues, cyberattacks, and natural catastrophes.
Unfortunately, a lot of SMBs can't afford an in-house IT staff to protect all their data, and this is where a managed IT services provider (MSP) comes in. With the help of a reputable MSP like Arnet Technologies, you can formulate an effective DRP that will allow your business to quickly get back on its feet after a disaster. Here's how we can help you map out a good DRP.
- Document everything – A good Disaster Recovery strategy starts by documenting every step of the plan. We will help you document and account for each critical item for your business and your strategy. The document should include the roles and responsibilities of key personnel as well as their emergency contact numbers. Even if some of them leave your company in the future, having your Disaster Recovery strategy well documented will still allow you to implement the steps with minimal disruption.
- Assessing risks – After documenting your strategy, our IT specialists will then start assessing possible risks. They will look at the functional areas of your business to determine what IT resources are used and the potential threats they face. This includes issues with your company's service vendors and external partners as well.
- Regular testing – A DRP is like an emergency evacuation plan for your building. Occasional drills are needed to ensure that everyone knows what to do once the alarms go off. Your DRP should be treated the same way. We will conduct regular testing to ensure each step and system works the way it was planned so when a disaster does strike, you can be confident that your data is safe and secure.
- Preparing for different levels of disasters – Being prepared is not enough. Our goal is to provide you with a DR plan that can respond to disasters of different levels. Even small disasters can result in prolonged outages if your company does not have the proper strategy in place.
- Backing up to the cloud – Using online data backup services is steadily gaining popularity among SMBs. The main benefit of this option is that you're given access to shared resources and the freedom to choose and pay only for the services you need. Plus, backing up your data in the cloud will not require you to spend extra money on additional servers and networking hardware.
- Evaluate your network security – Not all disasters are caused by human error or nature, some of them are the result of a cyberattack. When your company experiences a data breach, cybercriminals can install malware that can take your entire network infrastructure down. As part of your DRP, we will evaluate your network for potential weaknesses that cybercriminals can exploit. We will then find ways to strengthen your network's security and devise a plan in the event a breach does occur.
- Implement revisions – As new technology continues to emerge and your business grows, it is our responsibility to review and revise your company's Disaster Recovery strategy to fit its current and growing needs. This is to ensure that your business can quickly get back on its feet, in the event of a disaster.
If your business does not have a Disaster Recovery Plan, it's about time you got one. Here at Arnet, we'll provide you with state-of-the-art backup and recovery plans designed to quickly get your business back on track after a disaster. To receive a free disaster recovery assessment, get in touch with us today.
