Outsourcing to an MSP: Custom-size Your Partnership

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When it comes to business technology, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Managed service providers (MSPs) know this firsthand. That’s why you’ll find they make it easy to partner with them for different levels of outsourced IT. This article outlines the three tiers of MSP outsourcing typically available.

Small and mid-sized businesses share many challenges. They need to manage resources, follow regulations, and combat cyberthreats. At the same time, they grapple with constant changes (e.g. growing workforce mobility). Yet for all these commonalities, the technology used in each business can vary, and so too can the level of in-house expertise to manage and maintain IT.

So, many businesses turn to MSPs to get to know their IT infrastructure. The MSP can act as an IT watchdog, offer specific value-added services, or replace an in-house IT team.

MSP as IT Watchdog

This level of MSP engagement is for the business that wants expert backup support. The MSP watches over the business infrastructure and makes sure everything runs smoothly.

The MSP will use remote monitoring to keep tabs on the IT environment. They won’t make any changes if an issue arises – that’s up to the business – but they’ll help detect concerns to avoid any business disruption.

Many businesses don’t have the personnel for around-the-clock IT monitoring. This basic level of MSP service is a good way to track critical networks, systems, and databases 24/7/365.

MSP’s Menu of Services

MSPs also offer a menu of value-added services on top of the monitoring. The added tasks outsourced can depend on your expertise, budget, and desire to be hands-on with IT.

Value-add services MSPs offer include:

  • taking responsibility for installing software updates;
  • fixing security vulnerabilities as they are detected;
  • suggesting current, reliable, and secure technology solutions to improve your operational performance;
  • handling data backup and disaster recovery;
  • serving as your IT help desk for employees.

Partnering with the MSP for these services can save the business time and money. Consider data backup: The MSP may have its own data centers for all its clients, which might mean a better rate on essential data backup thanks to economies of scale.

MSP as IT Team

Other businesses can benefit from handing over all IT to a trusted MSP. For one thing, this saves the business from having to recruit, train, and keep its own IT team in a tight labor market.

The MSP continues to remotely monitor and manage the IT infrastructure, but they now have full responsibility. It’s not a matter of picking from the services available on the a la carte menu above. All those tasks are the MSPs responsibility.

Many internal IT teams are reactive, as they don’t have the bandwidth to act otherwise. Yet with an MSP in place of an overwhelmed IT staff, you gain a proactive partner. The MSP secures applications and networks, manages mobility, and handles any incidents. They keep your business running by avoiding disruptions leading to revenue loss, customer churn, and reputation damage.

Putting an MSP in charge of IT can concern some business owners who are reluctant to give up control, but an MSP brings the benefits of specialized experience with technology (and, ideally, your industry). They have the tools to provide data analytics, improve cybersecurity and continually better your business.

An MSP Partnership to Suit You

On any of these three levels, you want to work with an MSP that will become an extension of your business. The right MSP becomes a trusted partner looking out for your business’s best interests. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

The Danger of IT Dashes for Small Business

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Few of us would think we could run a marathon, or even a 10-mile race, without training first. Yet the number of people who think they could successfully run a 50-meter dash jumps dramatically, especially if they were being chased by a criminal, cougar, or scary clown. Still, that short sprint would be much easier with proper training, too. So, what does this have to do with IT? A lot, actually – keep reading.

Many businesses are taking a “we’ll dash when we need to” approach to IT. The news of ransomware at a hospital or a data breach at a national mobile carrier gets them spooked, and they are immediately running to try to solve the perceived cybersecurity problem. They’ll buy the newest app or device available, because it must be the best, right? After that they plod along, not paying much attention to good security practices until the next spike in adrenaline has them dashing to ramp up IT infrastructure again.

But anyone who tries running without stretching or putting on proper shoes knows it is painful. If not in the moment, then the next day when the muscles say, “no way are we getting out of bed today.”

In the IT equivalent, it is more effective to put effort into identifying the best technology for you. Reliable IT isn’t about dashing for that latest device or running from the newest attack – it’s a marathon. You need to be working on it continuously.

Minimize IT Risk with an Integrated Approach

Consistent practices such as ongoing equipment maintenance and patching software provide security long-term. Updating IT to better address threats or improve efficiency beats a reactionary buy.

Plus, by taking the time to make considered purchases, you can be sure you buy technology that:

  • integrates with your existing IT environment;
  • solves problems specific to your business needs;
  • minimizes your cybersecurity risks in both the short and long term;
  • doesn’t overcomplicate your infrastructure.

Think about the marathon runner who sets out a training schedule 12 weeks before the big race. They’re a lot less likely to give up or get hurt. Taking a long-term view of your IT needs offers the same benefits. You’re less likely to let it slide after the dash or experience costly downtime.

Managed Service Provider as Running Coach

If you watched the Olympics, you’ll have seen sprinter and distance runner coaches. In your push to build up your cybersecurity muscles, a managed service provider (MSP) can be a big help, too.

Partner with an MSP to gain access to IT experts. They can maintain tech, consult on upgrades, and help secure systems. Instead of paying for an urgent fix, budget around lower, predictable fees for proactive care.

Yes, we can also help you if you have to dash. MSPs have the expertise to diagnose and solve tough IT problems, but we’d much rather run the race alongside you, helping to keep your IT environment in tip top shape mile after mile.

What You Need to Know about Security Testing

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You want to keep your IT in top shape. Your business technology supports both your productivity and profitability. You don’t want to be dealing with downtime. You also want to avoid running afoul of any industry regulations or standards. But how does a business gauge IT fitness? That’s where IT audits, security assessments and penetration testing come in.

First, understand that IT audits and security assessments are different things. Both are important to your business and its risk management practices. Yet they have distinct goals.

An IT audit evaluates if your business is meeting regulations or guidelines. A third party well versed in your industry’s technology best practices does the audit. It checks your technology processes, control systems, and data procedures and policies. All against standards established by government or industry associations.

Many industries need an external audit for certification. For example, merchants need to follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. A Report on Compliance (ROC) from an auditor details how cardholder data is protected.

The IT auditors have deep knowledge of the guidelines. They are going to dig into the finer points of your IT environment. Their audit identifies any shortcomings and gives you recommendations on how to improve. Failing to meet standards in the audit, though, can lead to compliance issues. That’s why security assessments are a good idea too.

The Value of Security Assessments

The security assessment can be done internally or with the help of an IT expert. Of course, where there are standards or regulations, there will be overlap. The security assessment determines what you are doing well and could be doing better.

This is a proactive step to identify and fix any deficiencies. Consistent security assessments provide benchmarks and prepare for the rigorous IT audit.

The assessment’s high-level look at security should follow any major business change. It can help determine if there are new risk factors.

Other Security Services for SMBs

You’ll also likely hear about vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. These are two more security services that are often confused. Like the two above, though, they have differences.

The vulnerability assessment is a component of a security assessment, but the difference is that a vulnerability scan is automated, and a security assessment has parts that require manual investigation.

A vulnerability assessment scans the business network for any security weaknesses. The best results let you know what vulnerabilities are the highest priority.

Penetration testing takes this to another level. Professionals experienced in circumventing security defenses do this testing. This testing attempts to exploit the vulnerability assessment’s weaknesses. This lets your business see where it is genuinely at risk of unauthorized network access.

Typically, the vulnerability assessment is done more often. The more involved penetration testing is more likely an annual event. The good thing about the latter is that you’ll also get a report with recommended remediations.

Get a broader and deeper understanding of your business technology. Any of these security services can help. Our IT experts can review your current setup. We’ll also recommend the best next steps to bolster your cyber security. Call us now at (515)422-1995.

Top Things to Replace in Your Old School Office

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You may be in the “if ain’t broke why fix it” camp. Yet even if some of your outdated office tools and technology aren’t actually broken, they could be crying out for an update (if only you spoke filing cabinet, you’d know!). Here are the top things we see that businesses could upgrade to improve productivity and add security.

First, let’s start with those traditional landline phones. Sure, they’ve done their job well for decades, but switching to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has many advantages. Don’t overlook the benefits of:

  • streamlining voice and data services to save on bills and long distance;
  • employees using VoIP communications wherever they have access to an internet connection;
  • accessing features such as call waiting, screening, recording, auto attendant, and voicemail transcription;
  • gaining greater flexibility to scale up and down as needed so you don’t need to pay for phone lines you don’t need;
  • integrating calls with customer relationship management software for better data insights.

Saving, Sharing, and Revising Documents

Next up, those filing cabinets. For one, they may be an eyesore, plus, they’re taking up valuable real estate in your space. Today, many printers allow you to scan many pages at once and easily scan documents into content management software.

Moving to online document management also opens you up to many productivity gains. The software often supports optical character recognition (OCR), which makes scanned content searchable. Plus, the documents are available online, where and when employees need them. This is helpful in remote or hybrid work setups, but it also helps ensure you have a backup of critical documents if disaster strikes.

If you’re still filing documents in cabinets, you may have paper-based processes, too. Forms and folders get passed around for different people to sign off at various stages. This makes it easy for workflow to bottleneck or, worse, for documentation to get lost in the physical shuffle from place to place.

In a step up from this, a business might at least move documents around via email attachments. Everyone gets a chance to see the document and make comments. Then, some poor soul takes all responses and correlates them for the next round of revisions.

Replace these old-school approaches with online business tools built to enable collaboration. Microsoft 365, for example, allows people to work on documents at the same time. There are no more worries about version control, and everyone can track the file’s progress.

Enabling Remote/Hybrid Work

Cloud-based collaboration software not only helps with document exchange. Microsoft 365 also allows users to communicate efficiently via the Teams channels. They can also start video meetings, share screens, and co-work on files and PowerPoints. Plus, integrating Outlook contacts and calendars helps efficiency and scheduling.

All this helps support employees working remotely or coming into the office only some of the time. With online documents and databases, everyone can get work done without coming on-site. Plus, VoIP business calls forward directly to phones or laptops for seamless communication.

Put Away the Post-its, Too

One last thing we’d love to see people replace in their offices? Those Post-its with handwritten passwords stuck to the bottom of computer monitors or oh-so-stealthily under the paperclip organizer in their top desk drawers.

We all have many passwords, and we understand the impulse to write them down, but a safer strategy is to use a password manager. A password manager stores, generates, and manages passwords in an encrypted database. A password management solution – such as Keeper, LastPass, or LogMeOnce – is more cyber secure than that sticky notes.

Of course, every work environment is unique, and you might have some other outdated office technology we haven’t mentioned here. Need help bringing your business tools up to date? Our IT experts are here to help. We can review business practices and suggest the best solutions for your needs. Contact us today at (515)422-1995.

Pushing Send? Know that Email Is Not Secure

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We send an estimated 306 billion emails every day globally, personal and professional. Still, it’s not secure. Any private data, proprietary information or sensitive documents sent are at risk.

Sending an email is convenient and quick, but when it comes to confidential data, you’re better off choosing another method of delivery, one that doesn’t have as many potential points of access for an ill-intentioned actor.

Think about the path an email travels:

  • First, you write it on your PC, laptop, tablet, or phone. This stores the information in your email program. A hacker who has accessed your device using malware could read it.
  • The email then goes out to your email server. If that server is hacked, your data is at risk.
  • Your message then travels through online networks to reach your recipient, but there’s no guarantee those networks are secure, especially not if you are crafting and sending that email from a public network in an airport or at a coffee shop.
  • The email then hits the recipient’s email server, then their email program, and then their device. But the same risks that arose at your end are replicated on their side of the exchange, too.

Basically, when you send an email you lose control of the security of that communication, and potential problems abound:

  • Hackers could be intercepting and reading your email.
  • You can’t be certain that your recipient’s server or storage is encrypted at all times.
  • A bad actor could impersonate a server to intercept messages, and you wouldn’t know any better.
  • Your recipients may save that email in their mailbox for months or even years. Down the road, if they are compromised, your email is vulnerable.
  • Recipients can inadvertently forward that email on to unexpected parties.
  • You can’t assign permissions or password protect that email.

 

The Solution to Email Insecurity

Stop sending sensitive information via email. Instead, select a method that allows you to check and control who has access to that data. This could mean uploading the information to a private portal or sending using an encrypted file-sharing service such as Google Drive or Dropbox. There are also encrypted messengers such as Signal, Wire, and Wickr Me, which offer end-to-end encryption and autodelete data to cut the risk of email exposure.

If the recipient needs a username and password, send the two credentials separately. You might text them the password, mail it, or call and give it to the individual directly. When using a system that sends a password email to the user, contact that individual direclty. Ensure that they receive the email, log in, and change the password to something else.

A virtual private network (VPN) is another good tool for securing email. A VPN is like an online tunnel that keeps your email traffic safe. The message sent or received is encrypted from the rest of the internet. In fact, the VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address, too, meaning you are also protecting your original location.

Sending information online is a tricky business. Don’t put your sensitive information at risk by relying on email communications. Instead, use the solutions above to protect your private and proprietary data.

A managed service provider can set up the solutions you need. Contact us today at (515)422-1995 to protect your conversations online.

Windows 11 Is Coming: Should You Upgrade?

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Microsoft’s next version of Windows is being rolled out this year, and businesses are now wondering if the upgrade is right for their needs. This article looks at the changes and helps you weigh up your options.

Windows 11 simplifies Microsoft’s operating system and user interface. The new release is still only at the preview stage, but we know there’s a new startup sound and Start menu. Additionally, snap controls allow users to resize and reposition windows on their desktop. Microsoft also touts its content personalization tools and many widgets to choose from. Plus, an app store rebuild makes it easier to browse, install, and update applications.

For business, though, the big question is whether the upgrade makes sense. The full launch of the software is due in late 2021. In the meantime, those already using Windows 10 are wondering why they should upgrade. After all, Microsoft is promising to support the Windows 10 OS until October 14, 2025.

The Appeal of the Windows 11 Upgrade

Many advance reviews of Windows 11 focus on the new look of the desktop operating system, but there are also functionality changes to enhance productivity and security.

Employees today collaborate virtually and are always looking for ways to improve efficiency. Windows 11 aims to help by offering a new taskbar that integrates Teams right into the desktop. This simplifies multitasking and makes it easier for users to jump into a group chat or team meeting. Users can also mute/unmute or start presenting right from the desktop.

While remote working has grown, so too has cybersecurity risk. With more people seeking to access software from home, cyberattacks are rampant. Windows 11 embraces a Zero Trust framework. This validates both user identity and the platform to better safeguard access, making cybersecurity a default rather than an add-on. It offers hardware-based isolation, encryption, and malware protection with hybrid work in mind.

Proceed with Caution

The productivity and security enhancements are appealing, but they demand more advanced hardware. Windows 11 requires:

  • a compatible 64-bit processor;
  • a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip (to help protect encryption keys, user credentials, and data);
  • 64 GB or more available storage;
  • 4 GB RAM;
  • high-definition (720p) display.

The upgrade is free (right now) to those with Microsoft 365 licenses. Yet, buying new machines could prove costly.

Businesses can manually check device compatibility, or run diagnostic tests such as the DirectX diagnostic tool (DxDiag) or the PC Health Check App, or hire an IT consultant to assess systems (and needs) before making the decision to invest in new devices.

The move to Windows 11 could also impact other applications the business relies upon. For example, Microsoft has moved away from Internet Explorer and its ActiveX-based applications, which means employees may be using products and services that will be impacted.

Ultimately, Windows 11 has its benefits, yet there are drawbacks to consider, too. Before making an upgrade decision, contact your managed service provider. We’ll check you have the necessary hardware, and that your applications will remain supported.

We can help also with your Windows 11 deployment. Windows Autopilot or Microsoft Intune cloud and automation can help, but working with IT experts can also cut downtime. Contact us at (515)422-1995 for help today!

A Good Internal IT Person Is Hard to Find

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Technology is everywhere, yet we don’t always understand it. When things go wrong or get challenging, we turn to IT Services for help, but it’s becoming difficult for businesses to hire internal IT support staff. Here’s why and what to do about it.

The IT talent shortage has been an issue for more than a decade. A majority (56%) of leaders globally bemoaned the lack of tech-savvy employees in 2011. By the 2019 PWC report, as many as 79% expressed concerned about the talent shortage. In a separate KPMG CIO Survey, anxiety over tech talent was at its highest level since 2008. The pandemic spiked demand, and now there’s more remote technology and work from home system access to manage.

What Is Prompting the IT Talent Shortage?

Businesses know that they need IT help, and a shortage is nothing new. So, why does it continue to be a problem?

  • Technology is evolving fast, which makes finding skilled workers more difficult.
  • Baby boomers are retiring, which leaves employers scrambling to fill their roles.
  • Current IT workers aren’t adding artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other advanced tech skills.
  • Gender gaps in the tech industry narrow the talent pool.
  • Data scientists, software developers, and security and cloud experts have many options. Every industry has a need.

Employees need help troubleshooting temperamental devices, and businesses want people to setup technology, manage cybersecurity, and develop applications and software solutions, not to mention the know-how needed to get a company running again in the event of unforeseen downtime.

Finding the Best IT Fit for Your Business

IT recruits expect a competitive salary and benefits, plus a flexible, welcoming environment. To encourage professional development, companies are focusing on internal training. Microsoft now offers a professional degree program to develop data scientists. By 2025, Amazon wants to upskill 100,000 employees in software engineering, the cloud, and machine learning.

A lack of technical expertise within the business further complicates IT hiring. After all, it’s difficult to hire someone when you don’t understand what you’re looking for.

Many businesses also make the mistake of hiring for current technology needs without considering where they want to be with technology in the near and long-term future. They hire someone great right now who lacks skills to support technical evolution. That means spending more time and money later finding a new resource as the business grows.

The solution? Partner with a managed service provider (MSP). Get the benefit of working with a skilled IT team without having to hire each individual. The MSP gets to know your business needs and makes scaling technology up and down much easier. When you need a new approach, they can suggest the best option for your business practices. Plus, they have the staff available to help you along the way.

Finding qualified IT resources for your internal team requires resources. Collaborate with a trusted MSP partner to fill a tech skills gap; avoid having to recruit and hire in a competitive market; plus, enjoy ready access to the technical know-how your business needs today. Call us at (515)422-1995.

Signs You Aren’t Budgeting Enough for IT

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Generally, we like to make the argument that nothing about your small business is too small. We do say it a lot in relation to cybersecurity - no size of business is immune. Yet, there is the chance your IT budget is too small. Consider these indicators that you might need to invest more in your IT.

Every business wants to be cost-conscious. Saving money in one area can make funds available to expand, develop new products, or pay people more. That all makes sense.

Yet technology is the lifeblood of business success today. When you have the best tools available, you gain productivity, efficiency, and transparency. Plus, your people are likely to be happier, which helps retention, too. At the same time, with cyberthreats on the rise globally, IT isn't the best area in which to flex your thrift muscles.

How can you know you need to pay more now to avoid spending an exorbitant amount later? Look for these warning signs.

Employees Are Losing Time to Tech

The right hardware and software makes employees' jobs easier. Robotic process automation can improve workflow to avoid effort spent on mundane tasks. But people struggling with slow, outdated technology are wasting valuable time.

If your people have to find workarounds to get that project done on deadline, that's only a short-term fix. It is frustrating for them, which impacts morale and retention. Plus, the band-aid approach to getting the job done can backfire in the long run.

There are Important Things You Can't Do

You may be putting off upgrades to save on your IT budget. Yet in your effort to spend less on tech, you're undermining your business interests. You put off an operating system upgrade because your current system is working fine, except that choice could make you more vulnerable to cyberattack. You recognize the value of integrated customer relationship management (CRM) software but don't want to splurge on that valuable tool. Still, you don't want to save money on IT spend at the expense of business needs right now.

Customer Experience Is Suffering

You may not immediately connect IT budget and customer satisfaction, yet consumers today want convenience and personal attention. These can be difficult for the overworked human employee to do. Providing improved data and analytics makes it easier to offer individual attention. Plus, chatbots and mobile apps can transform the customer experience, because they save time and effort.

You're Struggling to Meet Industry Standards

Businesses face different industry standards to manage and protect personal and proprietary data. There can be requirements for backup practices, infrastructure testing, monitoring threats, and more. This can make the job of IT more complicated, but not spending to safeguard data or intellectual property risks a financial hit.

Improving operational efficiencies is a priority, of course, yet security spend needs to part of the IT budget, too. Address risk exposure with recurring risk assessments and a strategic security framework.

Better Budgeting for IT

Many businesses looking to bounce back from the pandemic are struggling with tight budgets. Still, technology can improve remote work, increase productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Not sure where to direct that IT spending? Our IT experts can get to know your business and its objectives. We'll identify cost savings and suggest transformations for the best return on investment.

Call us today at (515)422-1995.

Everyone Plays a Role in Cybersecurity

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Hollywood would have us believe that cyberattacks are elaborately planned and use expensive, sophisticated tools developed by James Bond’s tech guru, Q. Yet in real life, most hacks are nothing like that. Cybercriminals often simply fool a human to gain access.

Phishing remains a primary way to attack. A scammer sends an email that looks legitimate, and an unsuspecting victim clicks on a malicious link. They might download malware or end up on a webpage that looks credible but is set up to gather their personal data.

Social engineering targets the human desire to help. A hacker might drop an infected thumb drive in the office parking lot of the target business – they need only one well-intentioned person to pick it up and plug it into the office system – or they call, saying they represent a contractor and urgently need important credentials.

Your cybersecurity is only as strong as its weakest link. In many cases, your employees are that weakest link. They are busy working hard, so they don’t stop to question things, or they can be too trusting. A supply-chain attack compromises your vendor. The hackers change the details on the vendor’s invoice so that the money ends up in their bank account. Your people don’t notice, because they usually trust the vendor.

Educate Employees about Their Cybersecurity Role

Every business needs to educate employees about the part they play in cybersecurity. They need to care, but they may feel that it’s not their concern. They’ll expect IT or someone else at work to handle malware and prevent cyberattacks, but each individual has a role.

It can help to put the potential threat in personal terms. Help them to understand that they are not only protecting work data on the network, and it’s not just client personal details: it’s their names, addresses, and tax numbers, too. Plus, it’s how much they get paid, healthcare records, resumes, and more, which is exactly the kind of information hackers exploit in identity theft. That one hack can have a huge ripple effect.

There’s also the argument that if your business suffers a breach or downtime, everyone could be out of the job. Particularly bad data breaches or hacks can destroy a business. Of course, the individual didn’t mean to do anything wrong, but their ill-advised action costs your company, which can mean downtime, lost productivity, damaged brand reputation, compliance issues, and more. Recovery is difficult.

Cybersecurity Is an Ongoing Concern

It’s also important that you don’t treat cybersecurity training as a one-off. Running through a list of “do nots” in employee onboarding and then moving on is not going to work. Build cybersecurity literacy into your workplace culture.

Remind employees about strong passwords and thinking twice before sharing any sensitive data. Require them to use protected networks for remote access and to encrypt files.

Your business can also show the importance of employees taking responsibility by:

  • discussing cybersecurity in hiring processes;
  • outlining policies and procedures in the handbook;
  • reminding employees to regularly update and upgrade technology;
  • monitoring applications downloaded onto work devices;
  • having a clear policy for people bringing in their own devices;
  • adding multi-factor authentication to remote access.

Ransomware threats are on the rise globally, cybercrime gangs are targeting any weakness, regardless of business size or industry. Enlist your employees in the ongoing fight against hackers.

Need help training employees or installing cybersecurity protections? We can help. Contact our IT experts to discuss policies and procedures your business can use. We know how to keep you free from threats and get your people engaged in the battle, too. Call us at (515)422-1995 today.

Business Continuity vs. Disaster Recovery: What’s the Difference?

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The risk of cyberattack is still growing globally, and no business is too small to hack or breach. It’s important to plan for business continuity and disaster recovery, and to do so in advance so you’re prepared for the worst. But first, you’ll need to understand the difference between the two.

Some use business continuity and disaster recovery interchangeably, yet there are differences between these two areas focused on safeguarding your business.

Business continuity planning ensures operations continue in the event of disruption. Whether it’s a natural or man-made disaster, national emergency, sabotage, theft, or utility failure, your business needs to prepare. Business continuity anticipates what you’ll do about physical premises, staffing, and IT.

A business continuity (BC) plan:

  • identifies business processes;
  • assesses risk;
  • weighs costs versus benefits;
  • establishes priorities;
  • earmarks resources;
  • designates responsibilities.

BC planning will outline the procedures to follow and who is in charge of which processes. Think of it like a checklist to continue operations as close to normal as possible despite a crisis.

How is BC different from Disaster Recovery?

Disaster recovery focuses on providing a backup when unforeseen interruptions hit: actions needed to restore IT assets, communications, and essential hardware systems.

Disaster recovery (DR) plans aim to reduce downtime and restore vital systems as soon as possible. After all, statistics around small businesses suffering IT disruptions are not encouraging. Depending on where you look:

  • 93% of companies suffering an IT disaster file for bankruptcy within one year.
  • 40% of businesses don’t bounce back from a disaster.
  • 60% of breached small businesses can expect to shut down within six months.

While there is no consensus, the takeaway remains the same: downtime = business disaster.

The best way to reduce risk is BC and DR planning.

Still, how is disaster recovery different from continuity efforts? Business continuity tackles all operations. Yet in many environments, disaster recovery is a subset of business continuity. That’s because disaster management hones IT infrastructure. DR gets IT back up and restores data access after a disaster.

Disaster planning establishes procedures for restoring critical applications. You establish where and how you’ll backup important data, you make decisions about what to repair and restore first, and you decide on your restore-point tolerance. This is the acceptable amount of time between your last backup and when the system went down. This will vary among businesses. A business conducting hundreds of online transactions daily has different needs than one with less data.

Planning ahead is essential for both

Although disaster recovery and business continuity have different timelines, both prepare in advance. Business continuity plans are set in motion as soon as operations are threatened. For instance, in the event of a hurricane, the BC plan would alert stakeholders, tell emergency procedures, and transition to alternate operations. Yet the DR team won’t do anything until the storm actually affects the business.

Your business may be able to ride out a short, planned downtime, but disruptions from weather events, power failure, or malevolent attack can be crushing. Take the time, when not in crisis, to plan your business continuity and disaster recovery.

A managed service provider can help you develop the best business continuity and disaster recovery strategies. Contact us today at (515)422-1995 for a personalized approach to planning ahead for catastrophe.

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