Disaster Recovery Journal Summer 2023

2. Develop a holistic BC plan . Look at people, processes, and technology when creating your plan. Prioritize critical systems and processes which must remain operational during a natural disaster or severe weather event. Consider climate change’s impact on the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and make sure your plan is flexible enough to handle multiple contingencies. Additionally, be sure you

protocols with all stakeholders involved in the BC planning process, including vendors, customers, suppliers, and employees. This ensures everyone stays informed and is also fully aware of their roles and responsibilities when disaster strikes. 6. Remember the human element . While

problem in the series of common business continuity (BC) planning mistakes. Where most businesses miss the mark One of the most overlooked aspects of BC planning is network infrastructure. You can have all your data saved in an offsite location, but without the network infrastructure to access that data, your chances of recovering expeditiously are slim to none. Another common challenge businesses encounter is complacency. Many organi zations believe simply creating a plan is enough; that couldn’t be further from the truth. Production environments change. Workload interdependencies evolve. Employees’ roles and responsibilities shift. BC planning is not a one-off; all these moving parts must be accounted for – and more. Budget constraints also play a role in how well an organization is prepared for extreme weather events. Many companies may not have the necessary funds to invest in the technology and resources needed for a solid BC plan, or they are hesitant to invest in BC and DR, thinking they are unnecessary expenses until it’s too late. Some organizations also have a lack of imagination and have a hard time pictur ing the worst-case scenarios when devel oping their BC plans. This hinders them from preparing adequately for unexpected circumstances. Fortunately, all these obstacles can be averted – and disruptions minimized – with the right planning. Control what you can control While not all organizations have the same needs, there are some steps which every company should take to effec tively prepare for and rapidly respond to weather-related disasters. 1. Identify risk areas . Determine where you’re most at risk. Analyze your current processes, assess geographical locations where storms are likely to occur, understand what equipment may need backup power systems or other protections if they fail during an event, and evaluate how much data loss would be acceptable.

After a disaster, 40% of small businesses never reopen, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Of those that do manage to reopen, 25% end up failing within a year. Meanwhile, around two-thirds of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) impacted by natural disasters are forced to shutter their operations one year later. “ technology solutions are necessary to ensure a successful recovery, you can’t forget about the human element during

and after an extreme weather event. This includes factors like employee safety, mental health support for those impacted by the disaster, and potential delays or disruptions to supply chains which could affect customers. Stay prepared, limit disruptions Recovering from a weather-related disaster can be a daunting task for busi nesses, but it’s not impossible. By taking the right steps and learn ing from common hurdles which other organizations face, organizations can prepare themselves to “weather the storm” and recover quickly with mini mal damage. v

have the technology for data protection and DR solutions. This should include diversifying your backup locations by having three copies of your data saved in two different physical locations, with one immutable or offsite copy, and replicating critical systems to the cloud with virtual machines (VMs) which can be spun up quickly in case of an outage. can be quickly implemented when needed. Conduct quarterly DR drills with all stakeholders involved to identify any gaps or weaknesses and make necessary adjustments. 4. Invest in resilient technology solutions . Make sure your organization has the requisite technology to support a seamless recovery process, such as cloud-based data backup and restoration systems, failover capabilities, and secure remote access for employees who may need to work from home during an emergency. 5. Develop clear communication channels . Establish clear communication 3. Test, test, test . Regularly test your BC plan to ensure it is effective and

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Laura Shafer is the vice president of product marketing for 11:11 Systems. Shafer’s exu berant and passionate style permeates her life, whether she’s rooting for her beloved Utah Utes football team, singing, or strategi

cally communicating about technology to 11:11 customers and partners. Shafer’s skill as a communicator began with an entirely different kind of channel. She started her career as a television news producer before moving into technol ogy marketing and communications for companies such as PowerQuest, StorageCraft, MRM//McCann, iland, and 11:11 Systems.

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