GET A QUOTEData Backup Isn’t The Only Factor When Considering Your Disaster Recovery or Business Continuity Plan
The term ‘disaster recovery’ is often used synonymously with data backup. However, they do not mean the same thing. Disaster recovery is a plan or process that organizations use to get back to their regular operations after a disaster or significant disruption. Even though it is essential to have a proper data backup system for disaster recovery, it is not the only component of a good disaster recovery plan.
Many businesses rely solely on a system backup for business continuity. The term ‘Business Continuity’ refers to a process or plan that has been designed to ensure that your business continues working after disastrous events. The difference between business continuity and data recovery is the downtime that companies have to go through in case of a disaster. The primary purpose of the business continuity plan is to eliminate downtime caused by disasters and unforeseen circumstances.
There are plenty of system backups that organizations may use for business continuity. They include imaged or file-based, hourly or daily, and onsite or offsite. Even though they are important, they are just one of the components that may promote success. Other components include:
People
All businesses need human personnel to thrive. Their experience, skill, and expertise are the lifeblood of their organizations. Backups do not cover the human aspect Organizations that fail to include humans in their planning are unlikely to succeed.
Your business continuity plan is not complete if it does not answer the question ‘Who?’ Organizations should ensure that their people understand their role in the event of a scenario. They should know that their value to the business does not end in the event of a disaster.
Infrastructure
The presence of infrastructure in a business is critical to its success. It is a lot more than just the workstations and servers. Without the right infrastructure in place, even the best backup may be pointless. Your data recovery or business continuity plan should cover infrastructure and ways to protect your equipment. One of the most important things to plan for is the possible need for cellular internet connections.
Processes
Your business continuity or data recovery plan must identify processes, how to back them up, how frequently to back them up, and who needs to back them up. You may not care about the processes that go on in your business until things start going wrong. Essential business processes must go on even when your business is going through a disaster. When thinking about processes, you must consider the people, infrastructure, and technologies that you need to keep the processes in place. Ensure that all critical equipment, documents, and applications have been backed up.
Some of the most important documents to back up are tax returns, financial statements, inventory records, a list of the company’s employees, and their contact details. Think about the essential supplies needed for daily operations.
Technology
The processes of most companies are tied to Enterprise Resource Planning Systems. Technology is important for essential processes such as inventory management and accounting. Without technology, business continuity and data recovery can be difficult. Understanding the shortcomings in technologies can help you plan for disasters.
In conclusion, a business continuity plan should cover areas that your disaster recovery plan does not cover. Even though data backup is essential, it is not the only thing to think about. Other crucial elements include technology, people, processes, and infrastructure. They are all essential for protecting your business against low or loss of productivity. Even though it may be impossible to predict when and how a disaster will strike, having the right components in place can be all the difference between success and failure.
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When you find the right IT company in Dallas, you can trust that your organization will gain access to the skills and solutions needed to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase overall customer satisfaction. Integrated365 can help by becoming a true partner for your business, creating synergies with your current solutions, and recommending options that will help create a stable and secure base for your operations.
