Ensure Your Data Is Safe, Secure And Recoverable
Our 9-Step Checklist Gets You Started
And Our FREE Disaster Recovery Audit Lets You Know For Sure
If you are a business owner relying on tape drives, external hard drives or USB devices to backup your data, you probably think you're safe. Wouldn't you feel better knowing for sure that your business, is safe and secure from disruption, if not absolute devastation?
First, do our quick self-assessment using our nine-step checklist:
- Do you have a written recovery plan?
- Simply thinking through what needs to happen when things go south, and documenting it all IN ADVANCE, can go a long way toward getting your network back up and running quickly if it gets hacked, impacted by natural disaster or compromised by human error.
- Do you have a clear communication plan?
- What if your employees can’t access your office, e-mail or phone system? How will they communicate with you? Make sure your communications plan details every alternative, including MULTIPLE ways to stay in touch in the event of a disaster.
- Are your data backups automated?
- The #1 cause of data loss is human error. If your backup system depends on a human being always doing something right, it’s a recipe for disaster. Automate your backups wherever possible so they run like clockwork.?
- Do you have redundant off-site backups?
- On-site backups are a good first step, but if they get flooded, burned or hacked along with your server, you’re out of luck. ALWAYS maintain a recent copy of your data off-site.
- Do you have remote network access enabled?
- Without remote access to your network, you and your staff won’t be able to keep working in the event that you can’t get into your office. To keep your business going, at the very minimum, you need a way for your IT specialist to quickly step in when needed.
- Do you have server images?
- Storing your data off-site is a good first step. But if your system is compromised, the software and architecture that handles all that data MUST be restored for it to be useful. Imaging your server creates a replica of the original, saving you an enormous amount of time and energy in getting your network back in gear, should the need arise. Without it, you risk losing all your preferences, configurations, favorites and more.
- Do you have an up-to-date network “blueprint”?
- To rebuild all or part of your network, you’ll need a blueprint of the software, data, systems and hardware that comprise your company’s network. An IT professional can create this for you. It could save you a huge amount of time and money in the event your network needs to be restored.
- Are your systems properly maintained?
- While fires, flooding and other natural disasters are always a risk, it’s more likely that you’ll have downtime due to a software or hardware glitch or cyber-attack. That’s why it’s critical to keep your network patched, secure and up-to-date. Deteriorating hardware and corrupted software can wipe you out. Replace and update them as needed to steer clear of this threat.
- Are you routinely running restore tests?
- If you’re going to go to the trouble of setting up a plan, at least make sure it works! An IT professional can check monthly to make sure your systems work properly and your data is secure. After all, the worst time to test your parachute is AFTER you jump out of the plane.
