subject: Do You Have An It Disaster Recovery Plan Ahead? [print this page] As the business community becomes more dependent on technology itself, there are number of precautionary measures they have to take in order to protect their business operations. When it comes to computer systems, preparations have to be set and implemented in the event an unlikely incident occurs that puts data at risk of permanent loss due to an unexpected disaster. Technological disasters can happen as like situations as flooding, fire, power surge...etc. The following list below outlines the very basics of setting up an IT disaster recovery plan:
1. Risk Assessment: Determine the possible risks that might hit your computer system. This can be natural disasters, computer viruses, worms, power outages...etc. Prioritize the grave threats that might have a big impact. You should also need to consider on how long your system will be down before it starts to negatively pull your business down. Determine the necessary data and applications that are essential to the business. You may conduct security assessments to analyze each personal computers, data and voice communication application controls, the operating methods and procedures, systems and access control software security, contingency planning, data backup procedures, and database security systems.
2. Determine Protection Costs: The identification of the possible risks in the business will help you set aside a budget for it when the need arises. Now, you can perhaps determine the cost that you will be spending of such disaster recovery processes. As part of your cost funding for the protection of the business, you may consider data recovery tools and devices, data backup procedure tool, recovery planning software if necessary, emergency equipment like generators. All of these should have an allocated budget.
3. Develop a Recovery Plan: IT people or admins should create a plan to backup, store and protect those important data and critical systems. A special team should be established to look and create an idea of how to run the plan. You may use a specific script that will help test, repair, and recover programs and data. The plan should identify the strength and weaknesses of the plan, how to shorten the period of the outage, and make the recovery an easy process to take. Record the effects of a lengthy loss to operations and essential business functions. Make sure all related departments and appropriate staff personnel should understand the plan.
4. Acquire Appropriate Technology: If it is necessary that you upgrade you IT system and software application, then don't think twice on it. It is for the betterment and support for your IT disaster recovery plan. Setting a budget on upgrades on parts and softwares is well recommended.
5. Simulate the Plan: Conducting series of test to check the effectiveness of the plan is important. In this way, you may be able to determine the flaws and you will be able to correct it. Keeping update from Microsoft on the current threats online will be a great help to be at par. Just make sure, the plan is understood by all.
It is expensive and time consuming if you think of having an IT disaster recovery plan. Each day, there are new viruses and worms generated or created online. It could possibly be damaging to the business. It is indeed an expensive thing to do. It is definitely a disastrous thing for the company to experience a major disaster. So it is important to have a good disaster recovery plan. It feels good that you will be prepared at all times. Of course, having the most knowledgeable people assigned to it will be a good support.
