Nobody likes preparing for catastrophe—however, not preparing for it will lead to disaster when an emergency arises. When exploring strategies for how to secure important files and data, make sure that frequent backups are a part of the plan. Backups may mean the difference between minimal downtime and mitigated damages, or the loss of significant amounts of valuable information which can permanently cripple a business.
A database which holds records is a valuable target for a hacker. Here’s why disaster planning matters, what most needs backups in a company, and how CDS can help make sure that an organization’s most sensitive, pertinent details remain safe no matter what the future brings.
Why Disaster Planning Matters
Disaster planning for businesses is defined as the creation of a strategy or set of procedures to follow before, during, and after a disaster occurs. These procedures may involve specific actions for individuals to take, routine actions which occur to support disaster preparation, and strategies to analyze disasters which have previously occurred. Disasters demand such consideration because:
- Disasters cannot be predicted. They may occur at any time, in any place, and affect any company.
- Disasters are dynamic and may have unexpected effects. A disaster may impact a company in a number of surprising ways and it’s impossible to adequately address a disaster without a strategy which has considered the possible outcomes.
- There are many different types of disasters. They may be human-caused, technology-related, or natural disasters which exist firmly outside the company’s control.
- Plans give employees a sense of focus and direction. With solid procedures in place, employees are empowered with a sense of direction when chaos breaks out due to a disaster.
- Disaster planning involves a plan to return to normal operations. With disaster recovery, the object is to return to normal operations as quickly as possible.
- A disaster plan helps reduce the negative effects of a disaster. Taking decisive steps following a disaster is critical for the survival of a company.
What Needs Backups
Backups are a critical part of disaster plans. They are copies of important files, records or information which are separated from other parts of the business. These copies exist in the event that the original copies—files or papers—become corrupted or destroyed, so a business can retain access to the information they contain. That’s why many companies choose to store their backups offsite—often in the cloud or on a server maintained by a managed services provider.
What needs to be backed up depends on the company and industry. In general, consider regular backups for:
- Databases and file systems containing customer information
- Inventory records
- Invoices, bills or receipts
- Tax information
- Employee files
- Blueprints, plans, or product schematics
- Websites, blogs, social media or other digital assets
- Software licenses and/or installer packages
How to Protect Data Using Backups with CDS
Losing data is costly. It means lost time, and in many cases lost revenue as the company lacks the information it needs to operate. CDS can help a company secure a database or other important information to minimize the downtime often associated with a disaster. Business data backup solutions may include:
- Scheduled backups which occur daily, weekly, or at another schedule according to a company’s needs.
- Offsite and cloud solutions to address business continuity should a disaster occur at the company’s physical location.
- Automated backups which occur as part of the document management strategy, so backups never get missed and never get lost.
- Digitization of physical documents to maximize the accessibility and security of information stored on paper.
- Cybersecurity measures to minimize human-caused disasters and ensure the protection of backups or initial databases. This may include cloud security solutions.
Prepare for Disaster Now
Disasters are impossible to predict. From sudden climate events to fires, robberies or physical hardware failure, companies can stumble and fail for a variety of reasons outside their control. That’s why it’s crucial to assume disaster is imminent and prepare for it now. Consider backups when thinking about ways to secure a database. Daily or even weekly backups may seem extensive but how cumbersome will it be when employees must spend a week rebuilding the work they had just done?
Disaster planning and recovery represent a critical element of a company’s plan for survival. It also works to protect data and enhance network security. By minimizing the potential for human-caused disasters, a company protects itself from avoidable harm.
CDS works with companies to create bespoke security and disaster recovery strategies. Keep your database backed up and secured. Contact us now to get started.
