Disaster Recovery - Managing the Risk

Helping your business survive in the event of an unforeseen disaster

Most business failures are not from bad business but from bad business practises.

Most businesses that fail are the ones that have not planned how their business will continue to function in the event of a disaster.

We put in the conventional safeguards such as alarming the premises, locking up vital areas and data , putting in fire prevention systems.

But what thought is given to generate sure that the vital data that is needed for a business to continue is in a safe place- could be accessed and is current data .

Sales/purchases ledgers.

Do you understand what the company is owed?

Can you prove to your insurers what is owed and what your replacement costs are?

Business processes.

Where are your procedures manuals, technical drawings, and patents?

Insurances.

Where are your policies kept?

Back up tapes- they are off site but what do we load them on to.

How almost always do we back up our knowledge? Where is it kept? On site-in your

briefcase? How do we restore it.

Cheque books-paying in books-writing paper-invoice paper.
Have they gone up in smoke?

There are a few safeguards that we might put in place so that the business can continue to

function in the event of a disaster. These processes do not have to be expensive or costly.

They require common sense, a little professional help and a place that is risk costless where

you can store the data vital for your survival.

We spend millions each year with insurance companies, insuring for the eventuality of the

business having a disaster- surely the small amount of time cost & effort in making sure

that you have the wherewithal to continue trading as soon as possible is the prime

objective.

"BattleBoxes containing essential items for business continuation could be created for

your business with a minimum of effort and will give you the peace of mind, so that you

can continue the business in the event of a disaster.

Oh! And by the way ask your insurers for a reduction in your premiums. Lowering the

risk limits their exposure- why should they reap all the rewards.

Terry Cohen is a director of Archival Record Management plc who specialise in Record Management &

Disaster Recovery Processes. He may be contacted on 07770 677 606 or email: terrycohen@londonweb.net