If you’re a business owner, you might be aware that disasters can occur. Disasters can come in many forms. Suppose there is an earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster that destroys all of your data? Imagine if a well-meaning employee accidently erases an essential file? Suppose you download a virus that destroys important documents? All of these what-ifs can have you dizzy and worried. That’s why it’s imperative that you develop a strong disaster recovery plan.
Decide What’s Important
The first step is to determine what data is imperative to your business. What data needs to be recovered quickly for your company to run? This will tell you what you should back up.
Make a Plan
Your next step is to consider what steps you should take if something happens. Begin with the worst possible scenario and make a plan for that. What technology do you require if everything is destroyed, what data, and what systems need to be back up ASAP? Write down these in order of importance.
Know Your Workflows
I’m sure you have the overall picture of your company processes, but what about all the day-to-day processes that you don’t have memorized? Ask your employees to document their workflows and the actual tasks they preform. By doing this, if something does happen, anyone can pick up where they left off and nothing gets looked over.
Decide Who is in Charge
Many people panic when disaster strikes. To make sure the panic doesn’t make things even worse, put someone that has helped you develop the plan in charge of carrying out your data recovery plan. This way you are available to reassure everyone and manage the company and you can be the strong leader your employees need in time of crisis.
When we hear of disaster people often think it can’t happen to them, but we never know what is around the corner. It’s important to be prepared. Having a strong disaster recovery plan will not only make you feel more secure, but will comfort your employees as well.
