Why Every Company Needs a Disaster Recovery Plan

Most business owners are savvy enough to recognize the important of having business insurance.  The typical policy provides a level of protection to the owners in the event of some type of unforeseen event, such as a fire, tornado, loss of habitability of office space, flood, or other calamity. What many business owners fail to consider is how to maintain production and/or service levels for clients after the unexpected event, but before things are back to normal for the organization.

This is where a Disaster Recovery (or Business Continuity) Plan is vital for the protection of the company.  A good Plan will provide for a way to activate the provisions of the Plan, define roles for key personnel, and establish communication procedures both internally and with clients or third parties.  The Plan will also set forth the logistics (i.e. define the who, what, when, where, and how of the Plan) of continued client service until the organization returns to “business as usual.”

Once a Disaster Recovery Plan has been implemented, it is vital that key personnel are trained as to the details of the Plan – a walkthrough or test implementation is usually recommended.  Finally, the Plan should be reviewed at least annually, and revised as needed.

Having a Disaster Recovery Plan in place at your place of business can mean the difference between the life or death of the company if an unforeseen event takes place.