As hurricane season approaches, ensuring your business’s continuity is more critical than ever. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, having the right disaster preparedness plan in place will help protect your operations and minimize downtime. This guide offers recommendations for proactive measures to keep your business secure during emergencies, with the support of your IT provider.
The Importance of a Disaster Recovery Plan
The Problem:
Hurricanes and other natural disasters can disrupt business operations, leading to potential data loss, prolonged downtime, and revenue impact.
The Solution:
By implementing a comprehensive Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan, you can reduce these risks and safeguard your business’s future. Your IT provider should ensure that emergency IT support is available, allowing your business to maintain basic operations in adverse conditions. However, some situations may be beyond their control, so preparation is key.
Pre-Storm Preparations: Months Leading Up to the Event
- Backup & Disaster Recovery Plan
- Verify that all server data is backed up offsite, ensuring data security in case of on-site failures.
- Conduct regular drills so your team is familiar with their roles and responsibilities during a disaster.
- Plan Your Backup Internet
- Evaluate backup internet options, such as satellite-based services like Starlink, which can provide internet access when traditional services are down.
- Regularly test your backup internet to ensure it's ready when needed.
- Test Your Generator
- Schedule routine maintenance for your generator, ensuring it's in optimal working condition.
- Maintain a sufficient supply of fuel, stored in a safe location, to power your generator through potential outages.
Note: If power is restored before internet in your area, satellite services like Starlink can provide interim internet access to keep your operations running smoothly.
Pre-Storm Actions: Week Leading Up to the Event
- Check Your VPN
- Ensure that all VPN configurations are current and functioning.
- Test remote access for all employees, ensuring seamless transition if they need to work remotely.
- Roll Phones for Continuity
- Confirm that call forwarding and rolling services are set up for critical phone lines, ensuring your business stays accessible.
- Update automated messages to include emergency contact information for clients and employees.
- Update Emergency Contacts
- Make sure all emergency contact information is up-to-date and easily accessible.
- Confirm communication protocols with your IT provider or account manager to streamline any necessary coordination.
Note: VPN services may not function during outages. Once power and internet services are restored, remote work can resume as needed. If you plan to take phones with you during an evacuation, don’t forget to bring the necessary power cords.
Pre-Storm Checklist: Day Prior to Evacuation
- Unplug All Workstations
- Safely power down and unplug all computers, peripherals, and office equipment.
- Label cables and devices for easy reassembly once you return.
- Elevate Equipment
- Move sensitive and valuable equipment, like computers and servers, to higher surfaces to minimize water damage.
- Cover Equipment
- Protect your devices by covering them with waterproof materials such as plastic tarps or bags. Secure them with tape to ensure they stay in place.
- Power Down Your Server
- Contact your IT provider to ensure that servers are properly powered down. This helps avoid potential data loss during the evacuation.
- Transport Critical Servers (if possible)
- If feasible, take critical servers and data storage devices with you to a safe location. Be sure to follow proper transportation protocols and document the process.
Note: Powering off your server should be the final step in your evacuation process. It’s essential to consult with your IT provider to ensure proper shutdown procedures are followed.
Post-Storm Recovery: Before You Begin Work
- Contact Support
- Reach out to your IT provider as soon as you know your return-to-work date. This allows them to schedule any necessary assistance with network reactivation and troubleshooting.
- Your IT provider will help ensure your systems are back up and running as quickly as possible.
Your IT Provider: A Partner in Preparedness
By following these recommendations, you can help secure your business IT and ensure your operations recover swiftly after a hurricane. Consult with your IT provider about tailoring a Disaster Recovery Plan that fits your specific needs, and be proactive in keeping your network protected throughout the storm season. Working together, you and your IT team can weather any storm and keep your business resilient.
For more details or help with your Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan, contact your IT provider today.
