Swansea-based IT specialist BSS is advising businesses in the area to arm themselves against the potentially devastating threat of data loss or denial of access to crucial IT systems by implementing a Disaster Recovery plan.
With stark statistics showing that an alarming 60% of companies suffering a severe data loss in a business-wide computer shutdown go out of business within six months and that one in six small businesses will struggle to continue to operate without IT, BSS Managing Director Teifion Davies is urging businesses to think ahead.
With 25 years' experience in IT, Mr Davies says with businesses now emerging from unprecedented times an IT fault during recovery could be the final straw for many. "As businesses increasingly rely on computers to store and manipulate data, any problem that prevents access that data will cause severe and often irreparable damage," he warns.
"Far from being doom and gloom, a Disaster Recovery plan is like an immediate insurance policy outlining exactly how and by which means a business can continue to operate in the event of a problem affecting IT and all communications.
"Many people think that as long as they do everything within their business to the best of their ability then they will not run into problems, but many businesses that we come across who have had a potentially damaging problem have been affected through no fault of their own."
Mr Davies added: "Adjoining buildings catching fire leading to a lack of access to neighbouring businesses; premises badly flooded causing disruption and damage to machinery, or a power failure resulting in the loss off vital information are all examples of how business IT systems can be hit.
"By implementing a Disaster Recovery plan, everything from how or where you log on after an incident, how up to date your data is and even having to hand the contact numbers of people that you deal with on a daily basis will all be covered, allowing you to carry on almost seamlessly - as if nothing had happened."
So what does your business need to avert potential disaster?
- A risk analysis of what might happen; some things are more likely than others.
- A documetned plan of action & who does what in the event of any given problem.
- Regular periodic back-ups of all of your software and date with the latest copy held off-site.
- Regular tests to invoke your plan to be absolutely sure it works.
- In the event of denial of access you need:
- Access to your latest data
- A location to work at with suitable office equipment
- Telephone & fax diversion
- Access to your email
