What Is IT Disaster Recovery & Why Is It Vital to Your Business?

While the majority of companies report having an IT disaster recovery plan of some sort, nearly a quarter of them say they’ve never tested out that plan. But if it’s never been tested, can your company really say it has an IT disaster recovery plan? 

Whether you’re lacking a plan, aren’t sure if you have one, or have one but haven’t tested it, we can help. Once you understand exactly what IT disaster recovery is and why it matters, you’ll be able to take the proper next steps to keep your company safe.

So, what does IT disaster recovery really mean, and how can you put it to work for your business? Read on to find out. 

IT Disaster Recovery: A Definition

When you think “disaster,” you might think of a natural disaster or a break-in. However, IT disasters, like cyber attacks, are actually far more common.

IT disaster recovery allows you to map out exactly how your business will handle this kind of disaster. From equipment issues (which may be caused by natural disasters or other factors) to deliberate online attacks, a disaster recovery plan should cover it all.

This disaster recovery plan will detail every step needed to get the basic functions of your business back up and running as soon as possible. A good plan will minimize your brand’s loss of revenue and reputation by minimizing the power and length of the disaster. 

Why Backup and Disaster Recovery Matters

Without an IT disaster recovery plan, your business stands to lose a lot.

First of all, moving forward without a plan can lead to a financial hit. Just a short amount of downtime can become immensely costly. Disaster recovery lets you minimize costs by minimizing downtime.

These disasters can also result in lost customers, furthering the financial strife. But if your brand is back on its feet as soon as possible, customers will be less likely to leave. 

Without a recovery plan, a single IT disaster can end your business for good. But with a solid, tested plan, you can turn a major disaster into a relatively minor blip in your brand’s history.  

Does Your Business Need Disaster Recovery Services?

With that in mind, is it worth it to hire outside disaster recovery services? 

It may be tempting to try to handle all of your IT work in-house, including backup and disaster recovery. But this is actually one time when it’s best to outsource.

If you hire outside professionals, you can tap into knowledgable experts that you might not be able to afford to hire full-time. They’ll be aware of the latest threats, and they’ll know all the best ways to stop them. The experts will know of tools, technologies, and processes that you don’t. 

What to Do Next for Disaster Recovery 

With that in mind, what next steps should you take for IT disaster recovery?

First, you’ll need to hire the IT services that can help meet your needs. Then, you’ll be able to move forward on evaluating, revising, testing, and implementing the best possible plan for your brand. 

Ready to protect your company from all-too-common IT threats? Check out our personalized IT solutions here to get started.