Our hearts continue to go out to Japan and those affected by the recent tornadic storm systems. And while the earthquake in Japan and the swath of tornadic destruction in the South are tragedies of a different scale, each has served as a reminder that East Tennessee is not immune to natural disasters.
As a business, disasters like the earthquake in Japan and Knoxville’s own storms should make us think. "What would happen if my business was flooded? What would happen to my clients if disaster struck?"
A study by
Gartner reports that “43 percent of companies were immediately put out of business by a “major loss” of computer records, and another 51 percent permanently closed their doors within two years — leaving a mere six percent survival rate.”
That said, a business continuity plan for your mission critical data is essential. Consider the following questions as you think through developing such a plan with an IT solutions provider:
· Do I have a data backup plan?
· How would we be hurt if we lost all our onsite computers, hard drives and servers?
· What are my options for data recovery in case of a disaster?
· Where is my data backed up? My location, a data center, both?
· Is my data center in a flood plain? (Is it even close?)
· Can I afford not to back up my data?
That last one is the kicker. Can you afford NOT to back up your data in a secure, offsite location?