A business faces many threats. Those threats can be in the form of markets, competition, threats, or litigation. Those threats can also include natural disasters, power outages, and cyberattacks. While it is important to have a business continuity plan in place to ensure your company continues to operate in the event of a disruption, business owners should also implement a disaster recovery plan. These plans have a much narrower goal — a disaster recovery plan focuses specifically on the response and recovery stages of a disaster, particularly when it comes to restoring IT systems to get your business back on its feet and working.
What is Included in a Disaster Recovery Plan?
A disaster recovery plan is a series of steps meant to reduce the effects of a disaster so the organization can continue to thrive. While every disaster recovery plan is unique and must be specifically tailored to the needs of the organization, three primary goals should be outlined. These include 1) prevention of threats; 2) detection of threats; and 3) correction of any issues that were learned while addressing a threat.
In addition to outlining the organization’s goals, a disaster recovery plan should also address:
- Procedures for ensuring the physical safety of personnel
- The process for conducting an IT inventory
- Backup procedures for data resources
- How access to utilities will be provided
- Procedures for ensuring the safety of physical items
- The process for inventorying damage
- The location for disaster recovery sites
- The process for contacting insurance providers
- Best practices for restoration procedures
To develop a disaster recovery plan, you will first need to perform a risk assessment to identify and address the potential disasters that could affect your business. Next, evaluate the critical needs of each department in your company. Establish clear goals and determine which applications and equipment will be needed to support the important functions of your organization.
After the data has been collected, you will need to create the written disaster recovery plan document. It’s best to work with an experienced business attorney who can assess the data and organize it into a well-drafted document. The next step is to test the plan and train management and employees in how to carry out the procedures. Any problems with the plan should be immediately identified and addressed.
A business should regularly review and update your plan as needed. Stay informed about any potential threats and assess your plan to ensure it will be effective.
What are the Benefits of Creating a Disaster Recovery Plan?
Although the goal is to reduce the interruptions that occur after a disaster and resume business operations quickly, a disaster recovery plan has several other benefits. For example, they can help your business achieve cost-efficiency, increased productivity, and compliance with industry regulations. They can also streamline the entire IT process for your company.
Despite the size of your company, a disaster recovery plan can ensure the resiliency of your business and help it maintain competitiveness in the industry. It is essential to the long-term growth of your organization and its bottom line.
Contact an Experienced New York Business Attorney
If you are a business owner, it’s imperative to create a disaster recovery plan to avoid disruption of your company in the event a cyberattack, power outage, or disaster occurs. Offering skillful counsel and trusted legal services, Brinen & Associates advises clients regarding a wide variety of business matters, including those involving disaster planning. Call (212) 330-8151 or send us a message to learn more about how we can assist you.