When disaster strikes...

Imagine how your business would cope if its IT systems or telecommunications failed due to severe weather, fire damage, equipment failure, accidental cutting of phone lines or even malicious intent. For many businesses, it’s not until it all goes wrong that they truly realise the value of disaster recovery and the importance of communicating with staff and customers.

Essentially, disaster recovery is a form of insurance. Ideally, you don’t want to implement a particular disaster recovery solution, so you insure against risks to your business and livelihood.

To ensure that your systems and infrastructure can cope when disaster strikes, there are a range of valuable options available including cloud technology and Mobile Device Management software. Hosting systems in the cloud means that, for example, calls can be diverted from the affected site to an operational site and calls can be carried over the Internet; offering a more flexible solution.

The advantage of a unified communications system is that calls can be automatically diverted and customers can be informed of any issues. All call information is backed up and saved in case any data has been lost and calls can be made and received easily through an Internet connection.

By using cloud options, businesses have found their recovery time is 53% quicker than other options available, as well as 36% cheaper. Cloud computing also makes a workforce more mobile, meaning they can work from home or other locations.

Ultimately, the most valuable tool a business can have at their disposal to shield themselves against potential disasters, is a tried and tested bespoke business continuity plan. Developing a plan around your business enables you to identify relevant risks and ensure the correct backup recovery services are in place.

Also, bear in mind that research has shown that 25% of all small businesses don’t reopen following a disaster and The London Chamber of Commerce found that 90% of businesses that lose data from a disaster are forced to shut down within two years.

That’s why foresight is so vital and disaster recovery should be considered as a necessity for every business, regardless of its size, rather than a luxury.
Sources: London Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Business and Home Safety