subject: 5 Steps for Disaster Recovery [print this page] 5 Steps for Disaster Recovery 5 Steps for Disaster Recovery
Resuming business after any disruptive event is known as the disaster recovery process. This method starts after the disaster and is time consuming if you do not have a plan in place, resulting in discontinuity of your business and incurring losses. The event may be external or internal failure of computer systems. The idea among most business executives and entrepreneurs is to overlook "disaster recovery" plans assuming it to be an unlikely occasion. On the other hand, most people to face challenges in business and any disruptive event like natural calamity, death or departure of key personnel or supply chain problems put "business continuity planning" in place. A complete business continuity plan helps you run the business efficiently and continue making money. These two norms 'business continuity' and 'disaster recovery' are very similar in eventful situations. Different businesses require different types of plans and it depend on the size, scope and the way the business is run by the company. The communication and feed back among employees are vital. In managing the business continuity solutions, the critical point are that the physical, IT and human resource plans are to be converged, because developing above plans in isolation will hamper communication. For the crux of BC/DR is constant communication. The first step for any disaster recovery solutions is to do a business impact analysis (BIA). The impact is felt on outage. It also helps evaluate the expenses to be incurred by a company to restore the business method and how much extra has to be spent to restore the process quickly. Restoration on priority and opting the priority is essential for business. The second step is to develop, practice and put a contingency plan in place. Back up employees has to be trained and kept in alert to take over in case of contingency. The third important step is emergency communication plans. Crisis communication and offsite meeting is crucial for the emergency situation. Practice crisis communication with employees, customers and others involved to speed up communication. In addition invest in alternate means of communication. The fourth step is to make the business continuity exercises realistic enough so that employees react confidently in a crisis. Stay in touch with local emergency units. Lastly, evaluate the performance of your personnel and technology during each disaster recovery test, plug the loopholes if any, and work towards constant improvement.
