Photo of two people looking over data at a desktop computer.

10 Disaster Planning Essentials For A Small Business Network

If your data is important to your business and you cannot afford to have your operations halted for days – even weeks – due to data loss or corruption, then you need to read this list of essential items and act on the information shared. A disaster can happen at any time on any day and is likely to occur at the most inconvenient time. If you are not prepared, you run the risk of having the disaster seriously impact the operation of your business. Read the following list and see how many disaster planning items you have in place at your business:

1. Have a written plan

As simple as it may sound, just thinking through in ADVANCE what needs to happen if your server has a meltdown or a natural disaster wipes out your office will go a long way in getting it back fast. At a minimum, the plan should contain details on what disaster could happen and a step-by-step process of what to do, who should do it, and how. Also, include contact information for various providers and username and password information for various key websites. Writing this plan will also allow you to think about what you need to budget for backup, maintenance, and disaster recovery. If you can’t afford to have your network down for more than a few hours, then you need a plan that can get you back up and running within that time frame. You may want the ability to virtualize your server, allowing the office to run off of the virtualized server while the real server is repaired. Once written, print out a copy and store it in a fireproof safe, an offsite copy (at your home), and a copy with your IT consultant.

2. Have a communications plan

If something should happen that would prevent employees from accessing your office, e-mail, or phones, how should they communicate with you? Make sure your plan includes this information. And be sure to include MULTIPLE communication methods.

3. Automate your backups

If backing up your data depends on a human being doing something, it’s flawed. One of the main causes of data loss is human error (someone not setting up the backup to run properly,  etc.). ALWAYS automate your backups so they run like clockwork.

4. Have an offsite backup of your data

Always, always, always maintain a recent copy of your data off-site, on a different server, or on a storage device. Onsite backups are good, but they won’t help you if they get stolen, flooded, burned, or hacked along with your server.

5. Have remote access and management of your network

Not only will this allow you and your staff to keep working if you can’t go into your office, but you’ll love the convenience it offers. Plus, your IT staff or an IT consultant should be able to access your network remotely in the event of an emergency or for routine maintenance. Make sure they can.

6. Image your server

Having a copy of your data offsite is good, but keep in mind that all that information has to be RESTORED someplace to be of any use. If you don’t have all the software disks and licenses, it could take days to reinstate your applications (like Microsoft Office, your database, accounting software, etc.) even though your data may be readily available. Imaging your server is similar to making an exact replica; that replica can then be directly copied to another server, saving an enormous amount of time and money in getting your network back. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about losing your preferences, configurations, or favorites.

7. Network documentation

Network documentation is simply a blueprint of the software, data, systems, and hardware you have in your company’s network. Your IT manager or IT consultant should put this together for you. This will make the job of restoring your network faster, easier AND cheaper. It also speeds up the process of everyday repairs on your network since the technicians don’t have to spend time figuring out where things are located and how they are configured. And finally, should disaster strike, you have documentation for insurance claims of exactly what you lost. Again, have your IT professional document this and keep a printed copy with your disaster recovery plan.

8. Maintain Your System

One of the most important ways to avoid disaster is by maintaining the security of your network. While fires, floods, theft, and natural disasters are certainly a threat, you are much more likely to experience downtime and data loss due to a virus, worm, or hacker attack. That’s why it’s critical to keep your network patched, secure, and up-to-date. Additionally, monitor hardware for deterioration and software for corruption. This is another overlooked threat that can wipe out your business data. Make sure you replace or repair aging software or hardware to help avoid this problem.

9. Test, test, test!

A study conducted by Forrester Research and the Disaster Recovery Journal found that 50 percent of companies test their disaster recovery plan just once a year, while 16 percent test every two years. If you are going to go through the trouble of setting up a plan, then at least hire an IT pro to run a test once a month to make sure your backups are working and your system is secure. After all, the worst time to test your parachute is AFTER you’ve jumped out of the plane.

10. Hire a trusted professional to help you

Trying to recover your data after a disaster without professional help can cause irreparable harm; one misstep during the recovery process can result in forever losing your data or resulting in weeks of downtime. Make sure you work with someone who has experience in both setting up business contingency plans (so you have a good framework from which you CAN restore your network) and experience in data recovery.

As a business owner, you’re likely spending your time growing your business, providing exceptional customer service, and building a strong workforce. It is extremely difficult to take time away from those vital tasks to monitor and back up your computer files. That’s where Chortek’s Managed IT Services come in. We have staff and processes that have been established to meet the exact technology needs of your business: not too much, not too little.