Tips

Tips

• Business continuity vs. emergency management

  There is overlap between business continuity and emergency management, but don't confuse the two. They are separate but equally critical disaster recovery practices.  Continue Reading

• When to use a mirrored site disaster recovery

  Mirrored disaster recovery sites are a good fit for businesses that require rapid failover and have the right resources to build a duplicate data center.  Continue Reading

• 4 cloud disaster recovery best practices

  The cloud is a widely implemented technology for flexible and reliable disaster recovery. Businesses can optimize a cloud DR strategy with these four best practices.  Continue Reading

• 6 disaster recovery site requirements for businesses

  Building a disaster recovery site provides organizations with a high degree of control over the facility. It also makes them responsible for several critical requirements.  Continue Reading

• 4 open source emergency management tools for DR teams

  Emergency management can be a hectic and expensive process. Open source tools can help keep costs down and pool information from a wide array of resources.  Continue Reading

• 6 open source data recovery software options to consider

  Data loss can plague just about every organization, and costs of recovery can add up. Open source software tools provide a reliable, cost-effective recovery option.  Continue Reading

• Use network fault monitoring to prevent malfunctions

  Network fault monitoring systems are essential tools to optimize network performance and availability. They are also key components of proactive disaster recovery.  Continue Reading

• Prepare your small business for ransomware attacks

  Ransomware is a threat to all organizations, but small businesses are particularly at risk. Mitigation efforts and recovery planning are key to keep smaller companies in business.  Continue Reading

• Example disaster recovery plan for small businesses

  Small businesses make significant investments in IT infrastructure. They must protect those investments from unplanned and potentially destructive events with a DR plan.  Continue Reading

• Should you use open source for enterprise disaster recovery?

  With research and planning, businesses can benefit from using open source software for enterprise DR. But IT teams must be mindful of hidden costs and data protection capabilities.  Continue Reading

• 8 reasons businesses have no DR plan (and why they're wrong)

  In today's interconnected world, disaster recovery planning is not a luxury but a necessity for safeguarding the future of any business. Don't make the mistake of being unprepared.  Continue Reading

• 13 reasons your disaster recovery plan failed

  Preventing failure is an important goal for DR teams, but disasters do not conform to how plans are designed. Familiarity with the causes of failure can help bolster a DR plan.  Continue Reading

• 6 benefits that make a disaster recovery plan worth it

  Disaster recovery plans help reduce recovery time, ultimately saving time and money. Time spent testing and planning upfront pays dividends when a disaster strikes.  Continue Reading

• The 4 phases of emergency management

  To effectively recover from a disruptive incident, IT and DR teams must have a plan in place. This guide breaks down the four phases of an emergency management plan.  Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery in healthcare: Free plan template and overview

  Healthcare organizations handle critical, sensitive data in their IT infrastructures. They must protect those infrastructures from disruptive events with a disaster recovery plan.  Continue Reading

• 7 ways to use AI in IT disaster recovery

  AI is everywhere these days, and disaster recovery is no different. IT teams can use AI to mitigate, prevent and recover from disruptions faster than traditional methods.  Continue Reading

• When is multi-cloud disaster recovery the right choice?

  A multi-cloud disaster recovery strategy has numerous benefits, including enhanced resilience. It also brings in several technical and organizational hurdles for IT teams.  Continue Reading

• 4 disaster recovery plan best practices for any business

  Disaster recovery plans are unique, built around an organization's size, type and industry. However, there are some key best practices that all businesses can implement.  Continue Reading

• 7 top business continuity certifications to consider in 2024

  Organizations can bolster and validate the expertise of their IT teams with a variety of certifications. There are several options aimed at business continuity professionals.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for a strong disaster recovery testing strategy

  Testing is a critical part of the disaster recovery planning process. Without proper testing, IT teams might miss crucial updates or make avoidable missteps in a recovery.  Continue Reading

• What is the link between sustainability and business continuity?

  At first glance, business continuity planning and sustainability efforts might seem separate. But at their core, both aim to create a resilient organization.  Continue Reading

• The emerging role of the chief resilience officer in BCDR

  Business continuity, disaster recovery and resilience are often managed by a variety of different personnel. Appointing a chief resilience officer can bring BCDR to the forefront.  Continue Reading

• High availability and resiliency: A DR strategy needs both

  An organization's resiliency during and after a crisis depends on many factors. High availability is one aspect of overall resiliency that DR teams can't afford to overlook.  Continue Reading

• Build and maintain digital resilience for a stronger DR program

  A digital resilience program builds on existing preventive and restorative activities by identifying the ways an organization's infrastructure can become more resilient.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 IT disaster scenarios DR teams must test

  While most organizations are prepared to face small-scale interruptions, they cannot overlook a larger, more complex crisis just because it seems less likely to occur.  Continue Reading

• Real-life business continuity failures: 4 examples to study

  Business continuity failures are costly and can significantly harm a company's reputation. These four high-profile examples demonstrate what can go wrong when a plan fails.  Continue Reading

• Business continuity maturity model: An at-a-glance guide

  Business continuity maturity models are effective tools to improve disaster recovery processes and define an organization's desired level of BC preparedness.  Continue Reading

• How to use a SWOT analysis for IT disaster recovery planning

  A disaster recovery IT SWOT analysis can identify the good and the bad aspects of a DR plan, as well as highlight potential risks and opportunities for improvement.  Continue Reading

• What are 5 good reasons to do yearly disaster recovery testing?

  Do you think yearly disaster recovery testing is overkill? You're not alone, but you are missing out on some key ways DR testing can help backup and recovery efforts.  Continue Reading

• 6 ways to support business resilience at your organization

  Without enough support, resilience initiatives are unlikely to succeed. Here are six ways individuals and departments can support business resilience.  Continue Reading

• How often should you review a business continuity plan?

  Business continuity plans are not a one-and-done deal. Before a disaster strikes, ensure your organization's BC plan is up to date with regular reviews.  Continue Reading

• 10 game-changing disaster recovery trends

  Recent trends in AI, ransomware and data regulations have a major impact on disaster recovery teams. Don't let the rapidly changing IT landscape hurt your DR initiatives.  Continue Reading

• 10 disaster recovery questions to ask in 2023 and beyond

  There are many factors to getting a disaster recovery plan to run smoothly. Here are 10 questions disaster recovery teams should ask themselves, their vendors and their leadership.  Continue Reading

• 12 business continuity trends to keep an eye on

  As technology rapidly evolves, IT pros are bound to see countless trends come and go. In business continuity, there are some significant trends shaping up to change the field.  Continue Reading

• Network documentation best practices for DR teams

  In the event of a disaster, IT teams often think of servers and storage, but forget about networks. Find out what you should document as part of your network DR plan.  Continue Reading

• How to maintain network continuity in a DR strategy

  Disaster doesn't just come in the form of fire, flood and ransomware. Loss of network continuity is a real issue and must be appropriately addressed in disaster recovery planning.  Continue Reading

• Prevent different types of network attacks with DR planning

  Disaster recovery and IT security teams must protect the network on several fronts to keep data safe from potential attackers. A dedicated disaster recovery plan can help.  Continue Reading

• Fine-tune a social media emergency plan with ISO 22329:2021

  Social media and its effective management are major interests for emergency management professionals. Find out how ISO's recent standard can help guide a social media strategy.  Continue Reading

• Why BCDR teams should consider EMP disaster recovery plans

  An EMP event could be a major game changer depending on where it happens and who is affected. EMP disaster recovery might not seem urgent, but it never hurts to be prepared.  Continue Reading

• Where do business continuity plans fit in a ransomware attack?

  Recovery isn't the only priority when ransomware hits. Careful planning, training and coordination among IT teams are critical to maintain business continuity during an attack.  Continue Reading

• Create a flood business continuity plan to stay afloat

  In the event of a flood, don't settle for watered-down action plans. Download our free flood business continuity plan template to create a flood-specific recovery strategy.  Continue Reading

• Why a HIPAA disaster recovery plan is critical

  Disaster recovery is a complex and high-stakes operation. When healthcare data is in the mix, a good DR plan is even more crucial. Do you have a HIPAA disaster plan in place?  Continue Reading

• Use ISO 22320:2018 to prepare an incident management plan

  Incident management is critical to ensure that businesses can deal with unplanned disruptive events. Find out how the ISO:22320:2018 standard can help.  Continue Reading

• Use ISO/TS 22317:2021 to shape your business impact analysis

  ISO/TS 22317:2021 is a useful tool for BCDR practitioners and other personnel tasked with executing a BIA, which can often be a highly complex activity.  Continue Reading

• Where does AI fit into a risk assessment strategy?

  AI is a helpful way to take a different look at risk assessment and disaster recovery. AI sifts through massive amounts of risk data without the typical constraints of DR teams.  Continue Reading

• Free disaster recovery budget template to justify BCDR spending

  Budgeting for disaster recovery does not need to be difficult. With detailed guidance from our free budget template, IT professionals can easily initiate and manage the process.  Continue Reading

• Use recovery level objective to fine-tune BCDR response

  Recovery level objective is not a widely used metric, but it has value to business continuity and disaster recovery teams. Learn how it fits in the BCDR timeline here.  Continue Reading

• Get the most out of Azure Site Recovery DRaaS

  For Azure users, the Site Recovery DRaaS tool provides reliable and accessible disaster recovery. Testing and good management are critical to get the most out of the service.  Continue Reading

• Tighten up work recovery time for successful disaster recovery

  The best strategy for reducing work recovery time windows is done before the need arises. Proactive disaster recovery planning is key to being as prepared as possible.  Continue Reading

• Business continuity in the cloud: Benefits and planning tips

  Learn the major areas of concern and the seven key steps to include when creating a cloud-based business continuity plan to protect data and workloads.  Continue Reading

• SaaS disaster recovery best practices for users and providers

  When it comes to SaaS disaster recovery there are two main roles: the consumer and the provider. The side of the fence they're on defines their options and responsibilities.  Continue Reading

• 12 key points a disaster recovery plan checklist must include

  Having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan checklist ensures that you can get data center operations back up and running as efficiently as possible when an incident does occur.  Continue Reading

• ITGC audit checklist: 6 controls you need to address

  Assess the risks to your IT operations and company infrastructure with an IT general controls audit. Download our checklist to help you remember what to include in the audit.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 business continuity risks to monitor

  Business continuity and disaster recovery threats vary by organization, but common threads can be found across the globe. Ten worrisome trends appear to be having a big year.  Continue Reading

• Zerto tips and tricks for ransomware recovery

  Ransomware recovery is a major concern for disaster recovery teams. For businesses using Zerto, there are a variety of ransomware protection and recovery features that can help.  Continue Reading

• How AI adds value to crisis communications systems

  AI provides key enhancements to existing emergency notifications systems that can reduce the amount of time a business needs to effectively prepare for and respond to a crisis.  Continue Reading

• How to calculate maximum allowable downtime

  Determining maximum allowable downtime is more than a simple equation. Find out why it's important, how it varies and the elements that make the maximum allowable downtime metric.  Continue Reading

• Critical event management software simplifies disaster recovery

  Critical event management software can help reduce the chaos of disaster response, without overloading disaster recovery teams with data or complicating communications.  Continue Reading

• Where do PSIM systems fit into disaster recovery?

  Organizations that use multiple security platforms can look to PSIM systems to be better prepared for an incident. Read on for more about how they work.  Continue Reading

• Prepare a supply chain disaster recovery plan

  Supply chain disruptions can bring business to a halt and lead to high costs. Examine potential threats, mitigation costs and prepare to plug any gaps in the chain.  Continue Reading

• How to calculate and reduce MTTR

  Mean time to repair is a helpful performance metric to ensure that important systems and processes don't fail. BCDR teams should know how to calculate MTTR, as well as lower it.  Continue Reading

• Prepare and conduct a ransomware tabletop exercise

  Tabletop exercises help organizations practice response and recovery, but one size doesn't fit all. For ransomware attacks, use this template to create a targeted exercise.  Continue Reading

• Decode different types of business interruption insurance

  Business interruption insurance can be difficult to navigate because not all policies are the same. Here's what to examine when exploring insurance options.  Continue Reading

• Top mass notification system vendors and how to choose one

  Mass notification systems are crucial to a business continuity and disaster recovery strategy. To choose the right system, cross-check its capabilities with your requirements.  Continue Reading

• Use ISO 22332 to improve business continuity plans

  Standards offer guidance on business continuity and disaster recovery plans. ISO 22332 is no exception, providing great detail on how to prepare and execute a BC plan.  Continue Reading

• Zerto vs. Veeam: Compare 2 disaster recovery providers

  Cloud failover, automation and orchestration are just a few of the features to consider in comparisons of Veeam and Zerto. See how the two DR products compare.  Continue Reading

• Maximize the benefits of virtual disaster recovery

  Compared to physical setups, virtualization can accelerate and streamline DR processes. Automation, however, is essential to achieve those benefits.  Continue Reading

• Fortify emergency communications systems with a business plan

  Emergency communications is one of the first actions organizations should undertake during an incident. An automated system is critical but cannot stand alone without a plan.  Continue Reading

• Make a power outage business continuity plan with these tips

  Power outages can lead to business disruption and hit at any moment. Infrastructure testing and emergency protocols can help with business continuity when the lights go down.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for planned and unplanned downtime

  There are two types of IT downtime: planned and unplanned. Neither are desirable, but one is necessary and the other could strike at any moment. Here's how to prepare for both.  Continue Reading

• DRaaS vs. BaaS: Compare 2 data protection options

  While DRaaS and BaaS can simplify data protection operations, they aren't right for all IT shops. Learn the differences between the two technologies -- and the potential risks.  Continue Reading

• How to plan for the cost of unplanned downtime

  Unplanned downtime can lead to serious consequences, including reputational harm, revenue loss and extra IT costs. Use these tips to plan for the unexpected.  Continue Reading

• Crisis communications training exercises to implement

  A crisis communications team must be prepared to spring into action at a moment's notice. Here are three crisis communications training strategies to ensure a team is ready.  Continue Reading

• Build a BCDR employee training program for peak resilience

  A BCDR training program teaches employees key skills, such as how to conduct risk assessments, coordinate emergency response with first responders and restore business processes.  Continue Reading

• 12 skills business continuity managers need to succeed

  Communication, collaboration, IT expertise and project management are key skills that business continuity managers must have to efficiently lead a BCDR team. Here's why.  Continue Reading

• How to build a strong crisis communications team

  A crisis communications team works best when all members are fully aware of their responsibilities. Here are some tips on building a highly effective response team.  Continue Reading

• The tiers of disaster recovery, explained

  Organizations have used disaster recovery tiers to define the DR process for years. These key tiers can serve as a backbone to a comprehensive disaster recovery plan.  Continue Reading

• Establish a business continuity team to get the full picture

  Business continuity teams provide insight and focus that can keep an organization on its feet when disaster strikes. Don't rely on a disaster recovery team to reduce downtime.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for the unknown with an organizational resilience model

  An organizational resilience strategy is far-reaching, involving many facets of IT and the business -- from disaster recovery to supply chain management.  Continue Reading

• How to establish an operational resilience training program

  Collaboration across departments is the new normal to protect business operations. Set up and promote an operational resilience training program with our included printable guide.  Continue Reading

• Operational resilience frameworks hinge on breaking down silos

  Resilience is more than just business continuity and disaster recovery. Operational resilience depends on communication among many different business functions at an organization.  Continue Reading

• The reality of Docker disaster recovery in practice

  A successful Docker DR strategy must account for a range of factors, including the host infrastructure, networks and redundancy in the cloud.  Continue Reading

• Bolster an operational resilience strategy with these tips

  What's the first step to achieve operational resilience? Knowing which assets and activities are most critical to the business.  Continue Reading

• Follow these standards for business continuity and resilience

  Business continuity, disaster recovery and resilience professionals have numerous IT standards they can reference for nearly every aspect of planning.  Continue Reading

• Optimize a BCDR strategy for 2021 and beyond

  COVID-19 has changed the way many organizations view BCDR. Along with an increased interest in resilience, a pandemic-proof BCDR plan is likely top of mind for 2021.  Continue Reading

• Use APIs to create a custom disaster recovery report

  The right set of PowerShell commands and API calls can go a long way to build and customize a disaster recovery report. Learn how with these steps.  Continue Reading

• Remote disaster recovery presents new business challenges

  With more employees working remotely than ever, natural disasters and other typical DR crises present an entirely new challenge. How can businesses tackle this new set of risks?  Continue Reading

• Prepare for a business continuity audit with the FFIEC handbook

  The FFIEC 'Business Continuity Management' handbook can serve as a guide to ensure that BC activities are consistent with best practices and are ready for an audit.  Continue Reading

• How to manage virtual disaster recovery setup costs

  Creating a virtual disaster recovery setup shouldn't be pricey, but costs can easily add up if providers don't take all expenses into account.  Continue Reading

• After-action report template and guide for DR planning

  Conducting an after-action report following disasters or internal DR exercises is a critical process that will help prepare an organization for future disruptive events.  Continue Reading

• It's a new age for hot site disaster recovery

  Hot sites are a viable disaster recovery strategy, but high costs and changing DR risks have made alternatives like disaster recovery as a service a more appealing option.  Continue Reading

• Updated FFIEC 'Business Continuity' handbook highlights planning

  The FFIEC handbook on business continuity has been updated by the organization to place greater emphasis on planning, with more detailed information on testing and exercises.  Continue Reading

• Creating a post-pandemic recovery plan is an ongoing process

  There is still much to learn about post-pandemic DR at this stage of COVID-19. Organizations should keep an eye on pandemic-specific software changes and updated recovery tools.  Continue Reading

• Understanding BC, resilience standards and how to comply

  Follow these nine steps to first identify relevant business continuity and resilience standards and, second, launch a successful compliance program at your organization.  Continue Reading

• ISO 22301:2019 vs. previous versions: What's changed?

  The International Organization for Standardization is continually updating its BC standards. Older versions may still be relevant, but keep an eye out for significant changes.  Continue Reading

• It's time to update your pandemic disaster recovery plan

  Your DR plan may be unprepared for a pandemic, and while mid-pandemic is not the ideal time to be discovering issues, you should use this time to make changes.  Continue Reading

• Common virtual disaster recovery errors and how to avoid them

  Frequently testing a disaster recovery plan is one reliable way to ensure that a virtual recovery will go smoothly and not set an organization back.  Continue Reading

• ISO and FFIEC business continuity standards compared

  Global standards aid the process of creating and updating a business continuity plan. The requirements of two popular standards can ensure that your BC team doesn't miss any steps.  Continue Reading

• Steps to building a pandemic business continuity plan

  Your business continuity plan may address some concerns that come along with a pandemic, but COVID-19 has emphasized the importance of having remote work as part of it.  Continue Reading

• Small business pandemic plan should cover supply chain, staff

  COVID-19 has many organizations shifting gears when it comes to pandemic planning, and SMBs are no exception. For small companies, adaptability is the key to recovery.  Continue Reading