Introduction
Business continuity planning isn't just for large enterprises. Every business faces risks—power outages, hardware failures, cyberattacks, natural disasters. A basic plan can mean the difference between a brief disruption and a prolonged crisis.
Identify Critical Systems
What can your business not operate without? Email, CRM, accounting, inventory—list your critical applications and data. Prioritize them so you know what to recover first.
Backup and Recovery
Regular, tested backups are the foundation. Ensure backups run automatically, are stored offsite or in the cloud, and are verified through restore tests. Document recovery procedures so someone can execute them if key staff are unavailable.
Communication Plan
How will you reach employees, customers, and partners during an outage? Maintain updated contact lists and define who communicates what and to whom. Consider alternative communication channels if email or phone are down.
Work From Alternate Locations
If your office is inaccessible, can staff work remotely? Cloud-based systems and VPN access make this possible. Test remote access periodically so you're not figuring it out during an emergency.
Review and Update
Plans go stale. Review annually or when your business changes significantly. Test backups and run through scenarios to identify gaps.
Partner With Experts
BitBlockIT helps Orange County businesses with managed IT and backup strategies as part of a broader continuity approach. Reach out to discuss your needs.