Summer is upon us… Time for a stroll in the park…softball…fishing…a few rounds of golf…
Yet how could you possibly relax if some random bit of malware, software glitch or cyber-attack catches you off guard just as you’re walking out the door? A well-designed secure computer network gives you the confidence that “all systems are go,” whether you’re having fun in the sun, or just getting things done with your team.
If you have been reading my articles in the past, you’ve heard my philosophy. It is not “If something will happen”, simply a question of when!
Here’s a quick checklist we use to ensure that a company’s computer network, and the data for that business, is safe and secure from disruption, if not absolute devastation:
- A written recovery plan. Simply thinking through what needs to happen when things go south, and documenting it all IN ADVANCE, can go a long way toward getting your network & systems back up and running quickly if it gets hacked, impacted by natural disaster or compromised by human error.
- Have a clear communication plan. What if your employees can’t access your office, e-mail or phone system? How will they communicate with you? Make sure your communications plan details every alternative, including MULTIPLE ways to stay in touch in the event of a disaster. Covid made this very clear as everyone left the office and the protection and communication it provided.
- Automate your data backups. THE #1 cause of data loss is human error. If your backup system depends on a human being always doing something right, it’s a recipe for disaster. Automate your backups wherever possible so they run like clockwork.
- Have redundant off-site backups. On-site backups are a good first step, but if they get flooded, burned or hacked along with your server, you’re out of luck. ALWAYS maintain a recent copy of your data off-site.
- Enable remote network access. Without remote access to your network, you and your staff won’t be able to keep working in the event that you can’t get into your office. To keep your business going, at the very minimum, you need a way for your IT specialist to quickly step in when needed. We can give you that ability.
- System images are critical. Storing your data off-site is a good first step. But if your system is compromised, the software and architecture that handles all that data MUST be restored for it to be useful. If you use a server, imaging it creates a replica of the original, saving you an enormous amount of time and energy in getting your network back in gear, should the need arise. Without it, you risk losing all your preferences, configurations, favorites and more.
- Maintain an up-to-date network “blueprint.” The often forgotten aspect is the network itself. To rebuild all or part of your network, you’ll need a blueprint of the software, data, systems and hardware that comprise your company’s network, both local and remote (and how the remotes connect, ie software and keys used). An IT professional can create this for you. It could save you a huge amount of time and money in the event your network needs to be restored.
- Don’t ignore routine maintenance. While fires, flooding and other natural disasters are always a risk, it’s ever more likely that you’ll have downtime due to a software or hardware glitch or cyber-attack. That’s why it’s critical to keep your systems and network patched, secure and up-to-date. Deteriorating hardware and corrupted software can wipe you out. Replace and update them as needed to steer clear of this threat.
- Test, Test, Test! If you’re going to go to the trouble of setting up a plan, at least make sure it works! An IT professional can check monthly to make sure your systems work properly and your data is secure. After all, the worst time to test your parachute is AFTER you jump out of the plane.
Be certain that you have all steps fully covered with our FREE Disaster Recovery Audit.
Contact us at 905.381.0077 or visit www.desktopsolutioncenter.ca/dra to schedule our Disaster Recovery Audit FREE of charge. Contact us TODAY to get scheduled!
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