Disasters can be incredibly costly for businesses, and the devastating outcomes to your livelihood can last a lifetime. The Brisbane and South-East Queensland floods are decimating the region, with many forced out of their homes and away from their livelihoods.
Hundreds of businesses across the region have been forced to shut, and many more are being urged to evacuate. The toll on people’s lives can currently only be guessed at.
It’s vital for everyone in your company to know what to do in the event of an unexpected event like the floods. However, planning ahead will help to minimise these effects, and ensure that you’re able to continue operating once the worst has passed.
Creating a Business Continuity Plan
A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a document that outlines the policies, procedures, and responsibilities a business will undertake to resume operations after experiencing significant disruption.
BCPs are important for business of all sizes. They maintain productivity and reduce the stress associated with uncertainty by outlining what is needed in a disaster situation.
The BCP should include:
- a clear statement of your business’ purpose and objectives
- procedures for data backup and recovery in all stages of the disaster and subsequent recovery
- a process for ascertaining the state of your company’s systems and networks, and their ability to function during the emergency
- guidelines on how your company will manage its response
- strategies for managing the risks
- a description of the key roles and responsibilities of each person in the organisation
- a list of all of your business’ critical information systems
- the names, contact information, and roles of the key personnel who will be responsible for business continuity planning
- your disaster recovery plan (how to recover from the disaster)
You should also create a list of vendors that you rely on for products or services and ensure they have contact information for your business. Whether it’s your internet provider or a food delivery service, having this contact information handy will help them find out more about what happened and when they might be able to resume service for your business.
Disaster recovery planning
A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is an important part of your company’s overall risk management plan. It’s a strategy for restoring the data and operating systems to their pre-disaster state after a disruption or failure.
You may not be able to prevent a disaster from happening, but you can prepare for the aftermath. A disaster can be stressful enough without worrying about how you will recover from it. By developing a plan, you’ll know where to start and what steps to take next.
Your DRP should include:
- determination of critical business processes that must be restored
- identification of your company’s critical applications and data
- identification of the organisation’s most important assets
- identification of the company's recovery points and recovery procedures
- assessment of all physical facilities to determine their vulnerability to damage, theft, or vandalism
- assessment of all systems, networks and services to determine their vulnerability to damage, theft, or vandalism
- alternate operating procedures for critical business processes that will be used in case of a disaster
Data backup systems
Backup and disaster recovery is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for businesses that operate online. If a natural disaster occurs near your office, it may be difficult to access your physical records.
Tips for setting up a data backup system:
- select a cloud storage provider that offers both unlimited storage and automatic backups
- make sure that all of your devices are connected to the same network
- ensure that you're using the latest software versions for all of your devices
- upgrade all of the software on your computers, mobile devices, and servers
Ensuring minimal business downtime
In a disaster, it is very possible that your building and equipment may be damaged or destroyed. You need to ensure that your business will suffer as little time or revenue loss as possible. To do this, you should have a back-up plan in the event of a natural disaster.
Your plan should include:
- updating your digital marketing materials (website, social media) with emergency contact numbers and a message
- preparing for a possible loss of power with battery backup systems and generators
- developing a checklist for employees on how to handle an emergency situation if they are required to continue working
- having a list of supplies in case you need to evacuate from your current location
Talk to the business continuity strategists
You never know when disaster will strike, but if it does, your company needs a plan in place to get back to business as soon as possible.
A disaster recovery plan and backup system can help you minimize downtime, so your business can get back on track as soon as possible.
The IT consultants at Steadfast Solutions can help you put together a BCP or DRP customised to your business’ needs, functions, and employee’s operations. Talk to them today so you’re ready the next time disaster strikes.