Why Your Small Business Needs a Backup & Disaster Recovery Plan (Spoiler: It’s Not Just for the Apocalypse)
Let’s be real for a second: accidents happen. If something can go wrong, it probably will (thanks, Murphy’s Law). That’s exactly why every business — whether it’s a cozy corner coffee shop or a skyscraper-dwelling mega-corporation — needs a solid backup and disaster recovery plan. At Sawyer Solutions LLC in Birmingham, we’ve seen our fair share of disasters, both natural and man-made. We also know that having a business continuity and disaster recovery plan in place is key to keeping your business running smoothly, no matter what life throws your way.
According to FEMA, 40% of businesses don’t reopen after a disaster, and another 25% shut down within a year. Why? Too many businesses are caught without a backup plan (literally). While we can’t control the chaos, we can help you get ahead of it by recognizing the risks and preparing for the worst.
Here are four reasons your small business needs a backup and disaster recovery plan (and no, it’s not just to keep zombies at bay):
1. Natural Disasters (Mother Nature Doesn’t Play Nice)
We’ve all seen the damage natural disasters can cause. Hurricanes, floods, wildfires — they don’t exactly ask for permission before leveling businesses. Whether it’s a hurricane making landfall on the East Coast or wildfires sweeping through California, businesses get hit hard. Buildings, equipment, and your livelihood can all be at risk. Having a plan to recover your data and get back on your feet can make all the difference.
2. Building & Hardware Failures (When Your Office Throws a Tantrum)
Summertime might be for backyard barbecues, but it’s also prime time for building fires. Overworked AC units, lightning strikes, and just plain bad luck can result in flames, and when your building goes up in smoke, your hardware might too. And guess what? Hardware failure equals data loss, downtime, and a whole lot of frustration. Not exactly what you want to deal with while sweating through your summer shirt.
3. Cyberattacks and Data Breaches (Hackers Don’t Care About Your To-Do List)
Cybercriminals have gotten smart — and they’ve got their eyes on small and medium businesses (SMBs) like yours. According to Verizon’s “2019 Data Breach Investigations Report,” 43% of breaches hit small businesses. Here’s how they typically do it:
- Malware: Nasty software like spyware, viruses, and ransomware that either locks you out, steals your data, or trashes your system.
- Phishing: Sneaky emails or attachments that trick you into giving up the keys to the castle (aka your access credentials).
- Outdated Software: Hackers love old software like it’s vintage wine. If you’re running outdated programs, you’re a prime target. Remember WannaCry? A simple update could’ve prevented that mess.
4. Human Error (Yep, We Mess Things Up)
Hate to say it, but most data disasters come down to us. According to IBM, 95% of cybersecurity issues are caused by good ol’ human error. Maybe someone clicks on a dodgy link, forgets to install a patch, accidentally deletes a critical file, or (worst of all) a disgruntled employee decides to go rogue. No matter the cause, the result is the same: chaos.
How We Can Help (Because You Deserve Some Peace of Mind)
For SMBs, it’s not a question of if something will go wrong — it’s when. But with the right business continuity and disaster recovery plan (think automated cloud backups, enhanced security features, and both onsite and offsite servers), your business will be ready to bounce back from whatever disaster comes your way.
At Sawyer Solutions LLC, we design custom recovery strategies tailored to your business. Let us take care of the “what ifs” so you can focus on the “what’s next.” Reach out to us today, and let’s get started!