How to recover quickly from an IT disaster

Any slowdown, interruption or complete failure of a critical system or network could result in an IT disaster for your organization. These can be triggered internally by employee errors, cyberattacks, or data breaches, as well as natural disasters like floods or fires that can cause equipment failure and power outages. 

Most IT organizations know a thing or two about incident management. It’s a regular part of the day-to-day to keep your business humming in today's digital environment.

Tracking and resolving IT service tickets can usually be done within a business day and cause no interruption to the business. However, some incidents go well beyond the usual scope and can have real implications for your organization's bottom line if not resolved quickly.

Any slowdown, interruption or complete failure of a critical system or network could result in an IT disaster for your organization. These can be triggered internally by employee errors, cyberattacks, or data breaches, as well as natural disasters like floods or fires that can cause equipment failure and power outages.

Your organization’s ability to bounce back relies on a well-thought-out disaster recovery plan. That plan needs to provide your business with a way to respond quickly to the threat, and take immediate action to minimize interruption and reduce potential long-term damage.

Four Keys for an Effective Disaster Recovery Plan

1. Write down (and share) your procedures - This way, employees know exactly what to do in case of an emergency.

2. Assemble the troops - Put together a group of specialists who are responsible for implementing and managing the recovery plan and executing the procedures.

3. Get your tools in order - Figure out which tools and technologies will perform recovery duties in each of the various scenarios you have planned for.

4. Communication is key - Depending on the severity of the disaster and the implications to your wider business operations, it might also be a good idea to inform external stakeholders as well as your customers if they will be impacted by the outages. Develop a unified message that clearly outlines how you are planning to rectify the situation and take ownership for any inconvenience.

While knowing how to lead your organization through an IT disaster is essential, it’s equally important to minimize the chances of an emergency or at the very least, reduce the impact. That’s why it’s best to be proactive in your protection strategies instead of reactive.

Properly training and preparing your employees and systems for disaster lowers stress levels across the organization and gives your team a clear plan of attack.