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admin January 18, 2023 1 Comments

Data Backup — An Essential Component Of BCP and DRP

Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is the process of creating a system of prevention and recovery from potential threats to a company. The goal of BCP is to ensure that the business can continue to operate or recover quickly, in the event of a disaster, cyber attack, or other disruptive events.

Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) is a subset of BCP that focuses specifically on the recovery of IT systems and data in the event of a disaster. Both BCP and DRP are important for any business, as they help to protect against potential risks that could negatively impact operations.

BCP/DRP is not an optional thing for your business but it is the survival plan. Risk is huge without a survival plan in today’s digital world. That risk protection could be an insurance plan or any other technological solution that can withstand the ‘May Day’. Even a company who provides you insurance for your business, would require that you have proper Cybersecurity standards and BCP planning in place.

There are many risks that can affect a business, and some of these risks are related to IT and cybersecurity. Some of the IT and cybersecurity risks that businesses should consider when creating a BCP or DRP include:

  • Cyber attacks: These can include malware, ransomware, phishing, and other types of attacks that aim to steal sensitive data or disrupt operations.
  • Hardware failures: Physical hardware, such as servers and routers, can fail, which can disrupt operations and lead to data loss.
  • Natural disasters: Earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters can damage IT infrastructure, leading to downtime and data loss.
  • Human error: Accidental deletion of data or misconfiguration of systems can lead to disruptions in operations and data loss.Power outages: Loss of power can cause disruptions to IT systems and data loss.

Why Having A Backup Plan Is Crucial

A backup plan is a crucial aspect of any business for two key reasons:

  • Protection of Data: A backup plan helps ensure that a business’s data is protected in the event of an unforeseen disaster or malfunction. This can include everything from customer lists and financial records to important documents and emails. Without a backup plan in place, a business could potentially lose all of this valuable information, which can have serious consequences such as- leaving your business in a non-functional state.
  • Continuity: A backup plan can help a business maintain continuity in the event of a disaster. For example, if a business’s on-premises IT infrastructure is damaged due to a natural disaster, a backup plan can help ensure that the business is able to continue operating as normal. This can be especially important for businesses that rely on technology to conduct their day-to-day operations.

Backups for Businesses

It is important to have a robust backup strategy in place to ensure the safety and reliability of this data. This is especially true for on-premises IT infrastructure, cloud-based systems, and emails, which are all critical components of modern business operations. In this article, we will discuss the importance of backups for on-premises IT infrastructure, cloud-based systems, and emails, and provide some tips on how to ensure the reliability of these backups.

On-premises IT Infrastructure

On-premises IT infrastructure makes up an organisation’s IT system, which is typically located on the organisation’s premises. These components include servers, networking equipment, storage systems, and other hardware and software components. It is important to regularly back up these systems to ensure that the organisation’s data is protected in case of hardware failure, data corruption, or other disasters.

There are several different options for backing up on-premises IT infrastructure. One option is to use a local backup solution, such as a tape drive or a hard drive, to store copies of the data. Another option is to use a cloud-based backup solution, which allows the organisation to store copies of its data in a secure, off-site location.

Cloud-based Systems

Cloud-based systems, such as Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, are becoming increasingly popular among organisations of all sizes. These systems offer a variety of benefits, including reduced IT costs and improved scalability. However, it is important to remember that cloud-based systems are not immune to data loss or corruption. As a result, it is important to have a backup strategy in place to protect the organisation’s data in case of a disaster.

It is a very common assumption for many businesses that their Data in the Cloud is safe, protected and backed up. The truth is that Backup services are separate services that need to be purchased separately from Cloud providers. Keeping the data in the Cloud is not immune to attacks, corruption or unintentional deletion. 

A cloud-based system also needs a cloud-based backup solution, which stores copies of the data in a secure, off-site location. Some organisations prefer a hybrid backup solution, which combines local and cloud-based backups to provide additional protection for the organisation’s data.

Emails

Emails are a critical component of modern business communication, and it is important to protect them in case of data loss or corruption. You can back up your emails using a local backup solution, such as a tape drive or hard drive, or using a cloud-based backup solution.

Reliability of Backups

No matter what type of backup solution an organisation uses, it is important to ensure that the backups are reliable. There are several factors that can affect the reliability of backups, including the quality of the backup software, the frequency of the backups, and the storage media used to store the backups.

To ensure the reliability of backups, it is important to use high-quality backup software and to regularly test the backups to ensure that they are working as intended. It is also important to store the backups in a secure location, such as a fireproof safe or a cloud-based storage solution, to protect them from physical disasters.

How often should you test your backup plans?

As a general rule, it is a good idea to test your backups at least once a month. For mission-critical data, more frequent testing may be necessary. For example, you may want to test your backups weekly or even daily if you are dealing with sensitive or rapidly-changing data.

In addition to testing the backups themselves, it is also important to regularly review and update your backup plan to ensure that it is still effective and meets the needs of the organisation. This may involve adding or removing backup targets, adjusting the frequency of backups, or implementing new technologies to improve the reliability and efficiency of the backup process.

Conclusion

Losing access to important data can have serious consequences, including financial loss, legal liabilities and most importantly reputational damage. By regularly creating and storing backups, businesses can protect themselves against data loss due to hardware failures, software corruption, natural disasters, cyberattacks, and other unforeseen events. Data backups can also be useful for recovering from accidental deletions, user errors, and other common causes of data loss. 

So, if your business don’t have any Business Continuity or Disaster Recovery Planning, it is the time to make a plan with the help of an IT Expert. You can reach us to discuss this regarding your business’s unique needs. Our highly experienced technicians would be able to help you any time. TriTech IT Solution is one of the Best IT Service Providers in Edmonton and growing fast.

One Comment

    February 13, 2023 Reply

    […] If your business don’t have any Business Continuity or Disaster Recovery Planning, it is the time to make a plan with the help of an IT Expert. You can reach us to discuss this regarding your business’s unique needs. Our highly experienced technicians would be able to help you any time. TriTech IT Solution is one of the best IT service providers in Edmonton and growing fast.  […]

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