Who would have thought that a desert oasis like Las Vegas could become the stage for Hurricane Hilary’s surprise performance? Mother Nature sure knows how to keep us on our toes! But, jokes aside, as Small and Medium-sized Business (SMB) owners, it’s time to roll the dice on preparedness. In this blog post, we’re going to unravel the secrets of surviving a desert storm and keeping your business thriving come rain or shine.
Off-Site Backups and Data Recovery
Implementing off-site backups, and spinning backups off-site, is fundamental to protect your critical data from potential flooding or physical damage to your on-site servers. In the event of a hurricane or any disaster that could compromise your on-site servers, these off-site backups serve as a failsafe. They ensure that even if your primary infrastructure is damaged, you can recover your critical data. Regular testing and verification of these backups are essential to maintain data integrity, assuring you that your data is safe and accessible when needed most.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Plan
A comprehensive BCDR plan is like a roadmap for your business during a hurricane or disaster. It should detail step-by-step procedures on how your business will continue to function, even in adverse conditions. Assign specific responsibilities to key personnel, establish clear communication protocols, and ensure that everyone is well-versed in the plan. This preparation ensures a coordinated response and minimizes confusion when disaster strikes.
Battery Backup Planning
Make sure all sensitive devices are connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Configure the UPS to gracefully shut down servers and critical equipment during power outages. This graceful shutdown prevents data loss and hardware damage.
Cellular Backup for Network
In the event of a network outage during a hurricane, having a cellular backup solution in place is essential. This backup ensures uninterrupted internet connectivity, allowing your business to stay connected to customers, suppliers, and critical cloud resources.
Elevate IT Equipment
To protect sensitive IT equipment, including servers and networking hardware, from flooding or burst pipes, elevate them off the ground. A few inches is usually perfect for burst pipes, but for a flood it should be a height greater than the expected water level. This simple precaution can save you from substantial damage.
Ceiling Leak Checks
After a storm, you should conduct a thorough inspection of your facility’s ceilings for any signs of leaks or water damage. Promptly addressing any issues you discover prevents further damage to your infrastructure.
Remote Work Preparedness
Establishing a remote work plan is vital for ensuring business continuity during and after a hurricane. This plan allows employees to work from safe locations if your physical office is inaccessible due to the storm. Provide employees with the necessary tools and access to company resources for remote work to maintain productivity and customer service.
Hurricane In The Desert!
Hurricane Hilary serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature. However, by following these comprehensive steps and being proactive in your disaster preparedness efforts, your business can navigate through the storm and emerge stronger. Protect your data, safeguard your equipment, ensure employee safety, and maintain business continuity even in the face of unexpected natural disasters. Preparedness is the key to resilience.