Why DRP Might Fail and How Computer IT Services in Eden Prairie Can Help
Setting up a disaster recovery plan (DRP) might make you feel at ease, knowing that you can get your business up and running because of this backup. However, even an established plan might not be as disaster-proof as you’d like to believe if you are not careful. The computer IT services in Eden Prairie that you put into action by developing that DRP might go to waste if you commit significant blunders that could cause it to fail.
Here are the most common reasons why your DRP might not work, starting with not getting a proper data backup from your outsourced IT support to not notifying the people involved:
1. Data backups are not enough.
No matter how robust your DRP is, it won’t matter if you don’t even have adequately backed up data, or have corrupted data and files missed during the backup process. Consider how your data might not be available even then because your server or backup is located in a nearby location that also fell victim to the natural disaster. This is why you should get small business IT support in a separate geographical location.
2. Key employees are excluded from the planning.
Even if you outsourced your computer IT services in Eden Prairie, your employees should be included in developing the DRP as well as in executing it. Aside from establishing it, you should know how to communicate it to the other employees involved. Their participation should complement the efforts of your outsourced IT support provider.
3. You failed to conduct recovery tests.
Having a DRP is not enough. You should test it too to see if it works and whether you can fully restore your data. Frequent testing also serves as practice for your employees, allowing them to be more familiar with it. In the process, they can even evaluate the DRP to spot its strengths and weaknesses and improve it. However, testing costs time and money, which is why you should be practical about determining its frequency.
4. There is not enough data capacity.
It is a common mistake to prepare backup servers that are lower-powered than a company’s existing servers. However, both active and backup servers need to have the same power to avoid data recovery problems using computer IT services in Eden Prairie later.
5. The plan has become too complicated to follow.
Imagine what everyone’s reaction or state of mind is going to be after a disaster, such as a typhoon, fire, flood, earthquake, or data breach. Post-disaster reactions are likely to involve feeling dazed, confused, or lost, which is why you need a DRP that is simple to follow no matter how chaotic the situation might become. Your small business IT support should be conducted as fuss-free as possible, too.
6. Documentation of the DRP is lacking.
DRPs need to be documented in great detail because you cannot assume that the same employees you have trained to conduct the recovery will be around after a real disaster happens. They might not be available, so another team might take over. They will need to follow the DRP step by step and they can only do so if it is described in sufficient detail. They will know what computer IT services in Eden Prairie they are supposed to use and how to get in touch with your outsourced IT support provider if you discuss these details in the DRP.
7. The DRP is outdated.
The DRP should be continually changing according to the changes in your data, circumstances, and anticipated risks. You have to review it regularly and frequently to avoid an unpleasant surprise when a disaster strikes. You don’t have to do it weekly, but you shouldn’t wait for a year to assess it with your small business IT support provider.
8. You forgot to prepare a contingency for power.
You might be able to recover your data, but you cannot exactly operate if you don’t have enough power from your generator. Make sure to include the source of power in your DRP if the recovery runs for weeks or even months.
9. Employee training is not sufficient.
DRPs are bound to fail if you don’t conduct enough cross-training among your employees. Your plan won’t work if you don’t have enough bodies to execute them and get your business running. Even if you seem to have an entire IT department at your disposal in the form of your outsourced IT support provider, you still need employees to run your operation.
10. Communications after the disaster were not considered.
Disasters might wreak havoc on communication lines, so plan on how you can carry out your DRP if you don’t have access to your usual facilities. Some organizations prepare satellite phones or use social media to reach out to key people involved in the DRP.
11. Passwords have become inaccessible.
You might have a DRP, but you cannot get anything to work if you don’t have the login details. Keep a secure copy of the usernames and passwords if you don’t want your business continuity plan to fail.
12. Your outsourced IT support does not match your needs.
When the day comes that you’ll need to put the DRP into action, you don’t need the surprise of finding out that you lack computer IT services in Eden Prairie to respond to your needs. Determining what these disaster recovery needs are should have been the first step in creating the DRP.
Network Medics
Network Medics is a managed IT services provider that offers disaster and backup recovery systems, network security, network assessment, and more. If you are worried about your cybersecurity, we are here to help. If you are concerned about how you might get back up after a disaster, we can assist you, too. Just talk to any of our IT specialists at 612.315.1900 to help you determine what you exactly need!
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