It’s always interesting to observe different people’s opinions when it comes down to backing up their systems. Some small companies refuse to take local backups because they don’t entrust themselves to take data offsite with them. Larger firms will only take local backups so they have something tangible to refer to when a disaster hits. Some even exist where they do not take backups at all! But the absolute top of agenda today is those companies that do not check… sure you backup but when did you last check..?
There are two things I want people to take away from this post; one is to consider a disaster recovery policy. Make sure you have something in place that can entrust your business can continue if something did go drastically wrong. The second is even if you have the first in place, check that it is working. Put something in place or someone in charge to check if the process is working, how effective it is and if it needs to be improved.
Many companies believe a ‘disaster’ is a once in a lifetime incident and ‘it’ll never happen to them’. In fact, these incidents are very common. With growing numbers of viruses, hardware failures, security breaches, software issues, and data corruption it’s unfortunately not a problem that is going away. Thankfully, more catastrophic events such as weather-related causes, fires, power interruptions and sabotage are exceptional, but the most successful companies, small or large, prepare themselves for all potential eventualities.
The consequences of an unprepared disaster can lead to any one of the following:
* Loss of customers
* Loss of Credibility
* Inability to pay staff
* Loss of production
* Loss of operational data
* Financial loss
Disaster Recovery Statistics
Statistics show that 20% of all companies will suffer from power failures, hardware/software issues, fire, theft, flood or storm damage. Of those without a business continuity plan:
* 80% fail within 13 months (A further 10% fail within 24 months).
* 50% of businesses experiencing a computer outage will be forced to shut within 5 years.
* 80% of companies have not developed any crisis management to provide IT coverage sufficient to keep the business functionally effective.
* 53% of claimants never recoup the losses incurred by a disaster
* 43% will never re-open
Source: London Chamber of Commerce
So my question to you is do you have a backup system in place? And if you do, does it work?
Posted by Kris Haynes on 03/22 at 05:28 PM
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