When a hurricane is on the horizon, our immediate instinct is to protect our loved ones and ensure their safety. But what about safeguarding your business? Disasters can strike unexpectedly, and when they do, it’s not the right time to scramble for an IT protection strategy. By the time you realize you haven’t taken the proper precautions, it might be too late.
In recent years, the frequency of both natural and man-made disasters has increased dramatically. From hurricanes to cyberattacks, these events highlight the importance of having a disaster recovery plan in place. While disasters are inherently destructive, they also serve as stark reminders of the critical need for preparation. The ability to learn from past events can make the difference between business survival and collapse.
Downtime and Recovery in Numbers:
- Downtime costs businesses an average of $5,600 per minute.
- 93% of businesses that fail to recover their data after a disaster go bankrupt within a year.
- On the other hand, 96% of businesses with a disaster recovery plan in place achieve a full recovery.
Despite these statistics, one in five businesses still do not have a recovery plan. Let’s break down the most pressing threats to your business security and what you can do to stay ahead of them.
1. Natural Disasters
The Threat: Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural catastrophes are on the rise, causing billions in damage each year. These events not only endanger lives and property but can also wreak havoc on your IT infrastructure, potentially shutting your business down for extended periods. The fallout from a natural disaster can threaten the very survival of your company.
Lesson: Preparation is Everything Consider the sinking feeling when a computer screen suddenly goes black. Those with their data safely backed up, however, know that their valuable files, photos, and documents are secure. This same principle applies to your business. If you haven’t already, moving your data to the cloud is a critical first step. Cloud storage ensures that, even if your physical equipment is damaged, your essential business data remains safe.
In addition to cloud backups, you need a comprehensive business continuity plan. This plan should outline steps to take before, during, and after a disaster to minimize downtime and disruption. With a plan in place, your business can continue operating or recover far more quickly.
2. Cyber Attacks and Data Breaches
The Threat: Man-made disasters like ransomware and data breaches are becoming increasingly common. In fact, there were over 304 million ransomware attacks globally in 2020 alone—a 62% increase from the previous year. These breaches often target vulnerabilities in outdated software, leading to crippling financial losses and reputational damage.
Lesson: Be Proactive, Not Reactive To avoid falling victim to these attacks, it’s essential to keep your software up to date. Installing the latest security patches can prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your systems. Additionally, storing sensitive data in secure locations, such as cloud environments, reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
It’s also critical to monitor your IT security continuously. Regularly scanning for suspicious activity and promptly addressing potential threats can help keep your business safe. By adopting a proactive stance, you can mitigate the risks posed by hackers and reduce the potential damage from a data breach.
3. Employee Negligence
The Threat: Employees and contractors are responsible for a significant portion of data breaches. Whether through inadequate data protection, the misuse of devices, or weak security protocols, insiders—intentionally or unintentionally—pose a serious threat to your IT security. The rise in remote work has only amplified this issue, with 35% of severe incidents over the past year attributed to telecommuting.
Lesson: Training and Limiting Access To combat insider threats, businesses need to develop robust security protocols. This includes limiting employee access to sensitive data, implementing strong password policies, and conducting regular security training. Employees must be able to recognize potential risks and avoid simple mistakes that could lead to major breaches.
Additionally, your recovery plan should be simple enough for employees to understand and follow but thorough enough to address the complexities of modern threats. Regular drills and security exercises will ensure that, in the event of a disaster, everyone knows their role and can respond swiftly.
Don’t Let Your Business Become Another Statistic
Disasters—whether natural or man-made—are unpredictable, but the way you prepare for them doesn’t have to be. By implementing a strong IT disaster recovery plan, you can protect your business from the worst-case scenario.
At FutureLink IT, we specialize in helping businesses safeguard their critical data and infrastructure. Whether you need assistance with cloud backups, cybersecurity measures, or developing a comprehensive disaster recovery strategy, we’re here to help.
Get in touch with FutureLink IT today to bulletproof your business and ensure that no matter what disaster strikes, you’re prepared to bounce back stronger than ever.