Business continuity and disaster recovery planning are vital to any organisation and both of these activities are aimed at keeping a business functioning even after a disaster. However, planning for such situations is not straightforward; neither is it easy to identify good sources of information, services and products. The planning tasks themselves can be as challenging, if not more so, than the building of the actual plan.
Despite the fact that a business continuity plan is vital for the survival of a company, many business owners either sidestep the issue altogether or have a plan that is out of date and unworkable. Part of the problem can be traced back to vendors who sell planning products that are difficult to understand and manage.
Companies can face financial, legal and regulatory penalties if they fail to fulfil a service that they are contracted to provide. A business continuity plan must address issues such as what would happen if critical services were lost; how many staff would be required to cover critical tasks; how could they be accommodated if the company’s premises could not be used and if any specialised software or stationery is involved, how long would it take to replenish stocks.
Using a third party to back-up data off-site is the ideal way to protect against catastrophic data loss. Choosing a reputable company with a network of secure facilities to which backup media can be transported and stored in ideal atmospheric conditions will not only enable a company to continue working, but also enhance its reputation.