Netconsult Blog Why are BCP and DR essential for small to medium sized businesses

The range and extent of IT risk seems to increase by the month. From malicious hacking through to simple human error or natural disaster, there are many ways in which IT infrastructure can be disrupted or damaged. The knock on effects on a business can be crippling, both in the short and the long term. However, Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DR) provide comprehensive recovery options whether you are dealing with a disaster that is natural or human-induced. For small to medium sized businesses, in particular, this essential support could be the difference between surviving or not.What does BCP and DR include?BCP and DR provision is so much more than just backing up data. While every package is different, some of the features of BCP and DR include:Preventative protection for an IT infrastructureEffective disaster recovery planning so the entire business is preparedMinimising downtime in the aftermath of a disasterThe provision of remote offices and data centres where premises have been damagedSecure remote connectivity and alternative telecoms systems so that the business can keep functioning, no matter what has happenedWhy is BCP and DR particularly essential for small to medium sized businesses?Small businesses are increasingly being targeted by hackers - 875,000 SMEs have been affected by a cyber-attack over the last 12 monthsThe consequences of a lack of security planning and inadequate business recovery can be devastating - of those SMEs affected by a cyber-attack, one in 10 reported that the attack cost more than £50,000Inadequate data protection and response could also trigger fines under the GDPR, which can be up to €20 million, or 4% annual global turnoverExcessive downtime after a disaster not only costs the business financially but does heavy damage to reputation tooWhat are the benefits of BCP and DR for small to medium sized businesses?High availability of applications and data thanks to automated and immediate recoveryMonitoring and detection ensure that there is early warning when an issue arises so that it can be dealt with before it escalatesNo changes required to storage or server infrastructure, so BCP and DR are easy to install and implementSwift and faultless recovery means the business can continue uninterrupted - use of BCP and DR can mean recovery point objectives (RPOs) of seconds and recovery time objectives (RTOs) of minutesEffective risk assessment - the process of implementing BCP and DR examines the risks inherent in the individual business to ensure they are coveredReliable and comprehensive contingency plans - if the worst does happen the business is prepared, staff can be managed and operations can continue remotely with full access to essential systems and dataBCP and DR are becoming increasingly important for small to medium sized businesses, particularly those where data is heavily used or highly sensitive. As the risks increase, so too do the consequences of a lack of BCP and DR measures. If you would like to invest in BCP and DR for your business our experts can help you to identify the best options - contact us to find out more.Author: Laura Zverko - Follow us on Google+