5 steps to creating a small business recovery plan
A network failure or data breach can mean the end of most small businesses, so prepare for the worst with a comprehensive recovery plan
Creating a small business takes a lot of work. Imagine putting all your time and energy into your company, building it from the ground up, only to have something completely beyond your control – a network crash, cyber attack or flood, for example – bring it to its knees in a single day. Unfortunately that is what happens to too many small business owners. Without the same financial buffers that large, national or international companies have at their disposal, small businesses are much more likely to go under as a result of a disruption.
It is therefore crucial for small businesses to create and regularly update a disaster recovery plan, so you can bounce back from the brink should the worst happen. Follow the guide below, courtesy of Syntax IT Support, to armour your business against disaster.
Plan in minutes, not days
Most small businesses that do not reopen within five days of a disaster fail within a year. That is why making the most of the time immediately following an incident is vital. Make sure you and your employees know who to contact and in what order, including the authorities, yourself, a security team (if you have one), IT support etc. You should also know what to do to prevent the loss of assets, inventory and property; where you can move things and what you cannot do without. Assign specific responsibilities to specific people, and run practice sessions regularly.
Create a communication strategy
As stated above, knowing whom to communicate with following a disaster can make the difference between recovery and catastrophe. Keep a list of important phone numbers and email addresses to hand, somewhere you and your employees can easily access; both a physical copy and a digital one stored in a Cloud (a place that will not be compromised by a network failure or cyber attack). This list should include major clients and customers, insurance companies, IT support, landlords, and local emergency management agencies.
Include suppliers and clients in your planning
Your business could not exist without your clients/customers and suppliers, so do them the courtesy of including them in your recovery plan. Discuss backup options with your supply chain, so no dependent businesses are left vulnerable by what's happened to you. Let clients know about alternative suppliers they can use while you recover. If they can see you're going out of the way to keep them happy, they're much more likely to return once you reopen.
Go both high-tech and low-tech in how you communicate with your customers and suppliers. Post updates on social media accounts, and send emails to your biggest clients/suppliers, while also taking out an advert in your local paper, and sticking notices on your windows.
Back up records and data
Sensitive and essential data, documents and numbers should always be duplicated, with physical copies kept off-site in a safety deposit box, and digital copies backed up on the Cloud, safe from attacks on your network. By doing this you are ensuring that your client's important, private data is always safe.
Develop a continuity plan
Resuming operations as soon as possible after a disruption is essential, so in anticipation of a serious disturbance, you should know the following:
- How various disruptions will impact your business at different times. For example, a fire in a retail store in February will likely cause less disruption and loss of income than one in December.
- Identify and document resources necessary to the running of your business, then conduct a gap analysis so you are aware of what you need compared to what you currently have.
- Assign responsibilities to different team members, and develop workarounds for issues that come from a loss of IT infrastructure.
- Lastly, test your plan! This will reveal any weaknesses, so you can tweak it to suit your requirements and resources.
