What would you do if your place of business was razed down by fire or any other disaster?
This is one of the worst experiences you as a business person may face. You can, however, analyze your business’s state of preparedness for such a disaster by ensuring that you run a mock disaster preparedness drill.
The Need For Mock Disaster Drills
A mock disaster preparedness drill is a process whereby the business organization is put to the test as to how it will respond to certain dangerous occurrences that may happen to it. These drills, as some have been accustomed to, may seem like a bother but still people still prefer to undergo these drills rather than pray and hope that a disaster does not strike.
It is essential that you have a disaster preparedness plan for your business organization, be it large or small.
It is essential that you have a disaster preparedness plan for your business organization, be it large or small.
It is essential that you have a disaster preparedness plan for your business organization, be it large or small. Having a disaster preparedness plan is good but if for example it is a plan concerning fire, then you will want to test all the mechanisms that you have put in place. It is essential that your company tests it’s plan at least once a year or at any time there are big changes in your company.
Related read: Carbonite offers a backup solution for business
5 Areas Of Your Business That Require Testing
There are different methodologies by which you may test your disaster preparedness plan but most methodologies will test the following five areas.
Data Backup
Firstly, you should test the data backup. To test this you will have to delete a file and try to retrieve it from your cloud backup. There are certain packages you may purchase from reputable companies that may enable you to back-up your data (for example the Carbonite cloud backup). Carbonite can backup all your data effectively and assist you in the recovery process in case you should require it.
Network and Connectivity
Secondly, you may proceed to test your company’s network and connectivity. To test this you use a new device or reset your computers to factory settings and then use it to connect to the company’s virtual servers and access data. In the event of a disaster this procedure may have to be done so it is better to be familiar with it by doing these tests.
Other Cloud Services
The third aspect to test are other cloud services that the company uses, for example the financial management systems.
To test this, you may call the service providers and describe to them a problem you are experiencing and see what they can do for you. This is to ensure that in the event of a disaster you can be sure you are covered by these providers.
To test this, you may call the service providers and describe to them a problem you are experiencing and see what they can do for you. This is to ensure that in the event of a disaster you can be sure you are covered by these providers. Related read: Get the latest promo code for Carbonite
Ability to Operate Outside The Workplace
The fourth aspect to test is whether remote workers can easily operate from outside the workplace. These workers should be able to connect to the company’s network and operate without technical problems. The workers of your organization should have a drill so that in case of a disaster, they may be able to continue working outside the company’s premises.
Emergency Communication Systems
The last fundamental aspect that should be tested is the emergency communication systems. This is to ensure that in case of any happenings you may still be able to communicate with your workers. In testing this system send out a message to all workers and identify the problem areas that you may need to fix.
Have you had any disaster drills related to the above areas?
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My clinic has been disaster ready for the past three years. Some of my colleagues did not backup their files and sadly, they’re regretting it now. What amazes me is that they had spent a lot on a system for their files to be digitized but they never bothered to look into backing up their files. I only have two computers in my clinic, one in my room for consultations and one in the reception area. No fancy system just Carbonite.
We haven’t done any of the disaster drills mentioned on your list. But it’s certainly a good idea to take it up in the office. Despite having Carbonite in the office, it wouldn’t hurt to talk about it just to be sure. Thanks.
Data backup is like the elephant in the room, no one talks about it. It’s assumed that everybody does it until such time some data are missing. Then everybody starts blaming each other.