Modern businesses face a growing number of existential threats, from large scale natural disasters like hurricanes and inland flooding to human-created hazards like catastrophic IT failures. According to FEMA, on average half of all small businesses struck by a disaster never recover. The costs and losses prove too much. However, research shows that investing in a disaster recovery plan can minimize losses and the cost of rebuilding. Because data and technology are such critical features of most business models today, protecting these assets should be an important part of any DR.
The first step in disaster preparedness is identifying risks. While the potential for natural disasters may vary from one region to another, all businesses are at risk of infrastructure failures and cyber attacks. Knowing what hazards might befall your business allows you to think realistically about the measures you need to take to avoid preventable disasters and quickly recover from the unavoidable. Digital threat modeling tools provide an innovative way for forward-thinking companies to plan ahead for the worst case scenario.
Once you understand the most likely risks to your company, take time to document a thorough Disaster Recovery plan. An effective DR plan clearly maps out policies and procedures for responding to an emergency. Antares has created a helpful checklist to guide you through the development of a software emergency plan. Click here to access it.
It’s not enough to have a plan in place. Employees need to be aware of it, and they need to know what’s expected of them. They need to be able to automatically respond to an emergency. Large enterprises and government agencies are more frequently investing in VR ecosystems capable of both predicting potential hazards and providing a safe, virtual environment to train employees in disaster response. Training can mean the difference between a business that recovers from a disaster and a business that cannot.
The survival of your business is dependent on the survival of your data. Most companies are already migrating to a cloud-dominant business model and virtual infrastructure, which can speed up recovery after a disaster. Businesses are also investing in built-in disaster recovery mechanisms to automate some aspects of business continuity.
The software experts at Antares are here to help if you have questions or concerns about the state of your disaster processes and preparation. Click here to view our Top Ten Suggestions for Business Technology Recovery or Contact us if you need assistance as you review your software systems, develop your DR, and integrate forward-thinking digital tools to help in the event of an emergency.