Think of a Disaster Recovery Plan as a modern day business insurance policy. A disaster is defined as “a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss”. Disasters are also something that we all experience in our lifetime. For many, when a disaster strikes their business, it can have devastating effects.
What is a Disaster Recovery Plan?
The number one reason for data loss in corporations is due to human error, followed by software and hardware failures. According to the National Archives & Records Administration in Washington, if a company is down for more than 10 days without a database, there is a 94% chance that that company will file bankruptcy within a year. 50% of companies that are down within the same timeframe have even been shown to file bankruptcy almost immediately.
A Disaster Recovery Plan (DR) is a written procedure that is designed as a step-by-step plan for recovery of an organization’s IT systems and data in the event of an emergency or disaster. Once a plan is established, it should be tested to ensure effectiveness for when disaster strikes. Unfortunately, 60% of businesses admittedly reported not having any sort of documented recovery plan in place.
The Top Disaster Recovery Plan Types
Many companies pause at setting up this important procedure and plan because they simply have not been educated on which type of plan best suits their business needs. The top 3 types of disaster recovery are:
Data Center Recovery
With a Data Center Recovery plan, organizations can set up separate locations where the entire purpose is for recovering data in the case of a disaster. With top-of-the-line security features, your business can have the most secure data recovery out there. From HVAC support to fire suppression, the options are immense.
Cloud-Based Recovery
The cloud-based recovery solution is one of the most commonly used plans in today’s market. By utilizing a cloud company’s Data Center, is one of the most cost-effective options on the market. The only challenge with this route is in finding the perfect cloud-based option for your business!
Virtualization Recovery
With a virtualization recovery plan, IT will create an entire replica of your database and infrastructure. It is then stored in a separate offsite virtual machine. Since it utilizes different hardware than what your site uses, it is easy to back up your systems and data.
Why Your Company Needs a Disaster Plan
A thoroughly executed plan can help companies save thousands, but not only during a disaster. Having a solid DR plan can help minimize risk exposure, reduce risk of disruption, and ensure more stability. It can help save on insurance premiums and, most importantly, it also helps save the cost of your employees’ downtime. When you start to truly break down the costs associated with a network outage, you will see how important these plans really are.
HazeyTech can help your company set up an effective disaster plan today! With specialists ready to assess, navigate, and test our procedures, we know how to ensure your company is protected.
