Businesses can create a business continuity plan to make sure their company can continue operating in the event of a disaster. Businesses should take precautions to protect their data and create backups, document all-important business processes, establish emergency personnel, prepare for potential disasters, develop action plans for emergencies, and much more!
1. Back-Up Data
Data is a company’s most important asset. Backing up your data should be one of the first steps in creating a business continuity plan. There are different ways to back up, such as using the cloud or an external hard drive.
The method you choose will depend on how frequently you back up, and if there is a fee for that type of service. An oracle database can be both reliable and affordable, with options for local or cloud-based storage. Also, a virtual tape library (VTL) allows businesses to easily back up their data without having an additional appliance to manage – it consolidates backup processes across all server platforms from mainframes to desktops into one simple solution, freeing IT staff from having to support those multiple solutions. It can store data directly to disk or disk-based virtual tape libraries (VTLs), or it can store data to the cloud.
2. Create Manuals For Every Process
Businesses need to have documented manuals for every process, including computer system operations, manufacturing methods, transportation networks, and more. Procedures that are well-defined ensure that the company will be able to continue its essential operations during a disaster. The best way to create these documents is by using manual software – this way you don’t have stacks of paper lying around! It allows you to track revisions easily, perform peer reviews before publishing the document, centralize all your business documentation in one place (such as your CRM), and much more! You’ll also be able to reuse content across multiple projects which means less work for you when creating new manuals!
3. Establish Emergency Procedures
A business continuity plan should include specific procedures for employees to follow in the event of an emergency, such as pandemics, fires, terrorism attacks—and more! Employees need their copy of the plan with detailed information on what they’re responsible for, who to notify first, and other actions that should be taken during a disaster. You should also include contact phone numbers or addresses where employees can go for additional information.
4. Prepare For Potential Disasters
Many types of disasters could impact your business, so you need to make sure you are prepared for them if they happen! Some common types of disasters include floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes – you may even have a business continuity plan in place in case a zombie apocalypse happens! You’ll want to have a record of your inventory including hardware and software, know where the backup locations are for both data and equipment, have a list of vendors that can provide vital supplies in an emergency, and much more!
5. Develop Action Plans For Emergencies
Every business continuity plan should include an emergency action plan which outlines how employees will respond during specific disasters. Each employee should go through this plan from time to time so they know what their role is when a disaster strikes. This section is very important because it ensures staff members work together to meet each other’s needs and get through the crisis without any unnecessary loss of life.
Action plans also offer businesses the opportunity to find ways to improve their operational resilience. Each emergency should be assessed and documented so that the business can learn from it and avoid any major issues during future disasters.
6. Keep A Disaster Recovery Plan
Businesses need to implement a disaster recovery(DR) plan, which is an agreed set of procedures to recover the computer systems and the software running them after a disaster (such as fires, floods, power outages, etc). DR planning involves identifying hardware and software needed to restore operations. Networks should be tested regularly so you can find any issues before they become disasters. Also, disaster drills can be useful because they allow you to test your plan without actually having a disaster!
To create your business continuity plan, put together everything from your manuals, emergency procedures, action plans, and more – then have team members go through the plan every so often. Make sure it is accessible for everyone in case of an emergency.
Many other factors need to be considered when establishing the business continuity plan for your company – these are just some of the more common ones! You should also have detailed information on who will be in charge during emergencies, how employees should react – even what they should do if zombies show up. Having this type of information clearly defined decreases the risk of errors in the event of an emergency.
