We suggest some form of off-site back up including remote backup or tape backup stored at an off-site physical location. With Remote Backup, a copy of your data is stored in a secure, remote location, so that in the event of disaster your data is still retrievable. With tape backup, it is important that a backup plan is in place and a designated person takes the tapes off-site on a consistent basis. It is equally important to test backups periodically. The survival of your business could be as simple as having a copy of your data stored off-site away from a disaster including weather, theft or fire.
According to an April 28, 2008 SmallBizTechnology.com report, the DriveSavers data recovery service claims 43% of companies that suffer data loss never resume operation. Worse, 90% of the organizations that suffer data loss go out of business within two years. Even for those businesses that survive, the International Computer Security Association estimates that a single data loss event costs 19 days of productivity.
Battery Backup and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Power Protection
Battery backup devices—also known as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)—provide protection from several risks including weather related disasters. When computers are abruptly turned off due to power outages from lightening, thunderstorms or tornados, there is great potential for data loss and corruption. Quality UPS systems are important and provide small businesses with a cost-efficient method of protecting themselves from the power outages that can trigger data loss. By properly using a UPS, your network and computer systems can be protected from outages lasting just seconds up to several hours. It is also important to ensure there is sufficient power. Remember a UPS with lower volt amps and watts of power may be sufficient for a single basic desktop computer, but a larger UPS is required for servers and power hungry desktops.
It is equally important to connect all equipment to the UPS properly. Battery backups are often unboxed and plugged in. Without proper cable connections, software installation and configuration, these devices may provide no additional protection from power failure and data loss and corruption. When any new back-up system is installed, it must to be tested to make sure it operates correctly. After that, the system should be tested once a quarter for at least an hour. The life expectancy of battery backups are about three years. It is important to ensure your battery has been tested and checked around that time period as well.
Disaster Recovery Plan
Disasters of all kinds can occur at any time without notice. Companies not prepared for disaster risk consequences ranging from prolonged system down time and revenue loss, to the threat of going out of business completely, yet many small to medium businesses are still not prepared.
A disaster recovery plan, also known as a business continuity plan, is a set plan which describes how a business will recover from a disaster. Just as a disaster is an event that makes the continuation of normal functions impossible, a disaster recovery plan consists of the precautions taken so that the effects of a disaster will be minimized and the organization will be able to either maintain or quickly resume mission-critical functions. Typically, disaster recovery planning involves an analysis of business processes and continuity needs; it may also include a significant focus on disaster prevention. Testing, reviewing and updating your disaster recovery plan are imperative to maintaining business continuity and business existence.
Be Prepared for the Worst
With spring and severe weather approaching, be prepared for the worst and implement or maintain your data loss plan, power protection plan, and disaster recovery plan now. For more information or assistance in implementing any of these plans, contact Bennett today!
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