We can’t deny how much the world has changed over the past century. It is an entirely different picture from that of a century ago. Can you imagine living at a time when modern technology was unheard of and everything had to be done manually? It might sound simple but it has its perks too. Now, there are more things that people have to remember as they navigate their way through life. From the home to the school to the offices and in vehicles and public places, technology dominates every aspect of human life. And with the rising popularity of the smart technology, there is even a gadget inside your pocket, bag, or on the palms of your hand. Our planet revolves around technology and it has evolved to become a modern commodity that is needed by the majority of the people on earth.
Since we have these gadgets everywhere, they must also be included in disaster recovery efforts. Storms and hurricanes have become more violent and damaging now because of global warming. Flooding is quite common too. The physical dangers brought by natural calamities and disasters continue to be a constant threat to these high-tech contrivances that can easily get broken when overly exposed to the elements. Many businesses and institutions have invested in disaster recovery plans that can hopefully protect their gadgets and consequently the data it stores that they use in running their businesses.
Today, unlike previous times in history, technology recovery efforts have become an essential part of the overall disaster recovery process due to its pervasiveness. Think: Access to data and the critical services that it powers such as ATMs, traffic lights and the ability to simply send an email – none of this is possible without technology systems. For governments or businesses, the impact of a disaster goes beyond the physical and social structures.
An information technology disaster recovery plan (IT DRP) involves a set of policies and procedures to enable the continuation or recovery of vital technology infrastructure and systems following a natural or human-induced disaster.
Information technology (IT) systems require hardware, software, data and connectivity to function. A fault or missing component can degrade the services provided by the IT system. This also means that a plan for data backup and restoration of electronic information is essential. The loss of productivity because of natural disasters alone is great, but the average cost to GDP is estimated at 2.5 per cent. Therefore, recovery strategies should be developed for IT systems and their constituent components.
(Via: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20171112/donovan-white-rethinking-disaster-recovery)
Of course, physical structures must be addressed first before any recovery and rebuilding can take place in case of severe storms or disasters of a high magnitude that displaces people and destroys properties. Worst, it takes away human lives. But over recent years, much emphasis has also been placed on securing tech devices as soon as humanly possible especially that more is now at stake as almost everyone has gone digital and expect a massive influx of data that needs saving apart from the gadgets themselves.
A written disaster recovery plan, a system for regular backups and maybe even access to an alternative office space are never enough. The most important part of a DR plan is continuous testing and frequently re-visiting the plan for possible updates.
Over time, software and systems used as part of a static plan may become outdated. Protocols put into writing were created by people who are no longer with the company.
Even small changes could potentially make processes non-functional. Regular testing is essential to allow the DR plan to be predictable and reliable. Fortunately, this testing can be more easily automated when DR is done with a cloud-based system.
(Via: https://www.ciodive.com/news/a-new-imperative-in-disaster-recovery/508300/)
As organizations grow, it becomes harder to monitor everyone and all equipment used in the day-to-day work. Communicating a clear and efficient disaster recovery plan can make a big difference in saving valuable company assets that likewise contain just as much valuable information that may be hard, if not impossible, to replace. Add to that the fact that it takes a lot of money too to buy all these equipment and seeing them go under floodwater is a big waste of money. Small business owners find it impossible to recover after enduring a disaster and that is what you should avoid, whether you are a small, medium or big business, or even a homeowner who happens to own quite a number of expensive tech contrivances at home.
The elements can be harsh to technology especially in the midst of a disaster. Whether it is caused by water https://www.harddrivefailurerecovery.net/hard-drive-gets-water-damaged-what-to-do/ or fire https://www.harddrivefailurerecovery.net/disaster-recovery-and-recovering-fire-damaged-hard-drives/, these tips can spell a whole world of difference and save you lots of money from buying new replacements. Preparation is the key here. Don’t dilly-dally and always be prepared for the worst and recovering from a disaster won’t be that hard.