Editor's note
Disaster can strike at any moment, and it comes in a multitude of forms. Maybe your data center is in a hurricane zone or your industry is particularly alluring to cyberattackers. Every disaster recovery strategy is unique, but the priority is the same: Protect your data and get the business up and running ASAP.
Planning and response go hand-in-hand, because as much as your organization may prepare beforehand, it's impossible to predict how everything will turn out. Does your disaster recovery plan evaluate all activities from beginning to end? Ensuring business continuity and facilitating recovery are not simple tasks, but the following resources will guide you through the process.
1Preparing for a disaster
From securing funding to choosing who will lead the recovery effort, a good chunk of your disaster recovery strategy planning should take place before an incident even occurs. The following best practices, staffing advice and compliance considerations will help to ensure a swift recovery.
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Article
How to ensure a secure disaster recovery operation
As if recovering from a disaster isn't pressing enough, organizations also need to be mindful of potential security breaches when they are most vulnerable. Read Now
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Article
GDPR and disaster recovery: How to ensure you're covered
After all of the preparations and changes your organization has gone through to prepare for GDPR, make sure disaster recovery doesn't get swept under the rug. Read Now
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Article
What 5 skills should a disaster recovery team leader have?
Is the right person in charge of your disaster recovery planning? Look for a DR team leader who has the knowledge to run the show and the accessibility needed from a good manager. Read Now
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Article
4 key qualities in a disaster recovery team consultant
An experienced and reliable disaster recovery consultant can offer significant benefits to a DR team. When choosing a DR consultant, it helps to be picky. Read Now
2Managing a crisis
In an ideal world, all of your preparations and planning would guide you through a disaster smoothly. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Your disaster recovery strategy needs to include contingency plans for when things go bottom up. Whether your concern is communicating the details of your emergency or holding onto a stellar reputation for continuity, keeping a cool head in times of crisis is the most important goal.
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Blog
Report highlights IT resilience shortcomings
In “The State of IT Resilience,” analysis firm IDC estimates that as many as 50% of organizations could not survive a disaster event. Read Now
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Article
Lessons in business continuity and disaster recovery planning
When crafting a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, you have to anticipate the unexpected. Here is what we can learn about BC/DR from two high-profile disasters. Read Now
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Article
What to do when a BC/DR plan goes awry
Insufficient testing or not knowing what to expect could result in a failed business continuity plan. Luckily, there are steps you can take if your BC/DR planning goes belly up. Read Now
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Article
Five data recovery planning steps to protect vital assets
Accurately restoring lost data after disaster strikes requires planning, patience and logic. If your goal is a smooth recovery process, here's what you'll need to know beforehand. Read Now
3Detailing your DR response
These free customizable templates will help you detail all aspects of your disaster recovery strategy, from initial risk assessment and business impact analysis to streamlining your organization's response following an incident.
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Article
IT risk assessment template (with free download)
Risk assessments are a critical part of a disaster recovery plan. Find out how to prepare a risk assessment and then download the included free template to create one. Read Now
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Article
How to create an emergency phone tree and template
When disaster strikes an organization, employees must be alerted. Using a call tree in emergency situations is a time-tested way to effectively communicate events and next steps. Read Now