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Business
Continuity Planning & Disaster Recovery
The best
time to respond to a disaster is before it
happens. A relatively small investment of time
and money now may prevent severe damage and
disruption of life and business in the future.
Duke IS IT can help you develop a workable plan
for recovering from business disruptions.
Ask yourself:
what if the worst happened?
How would it
affect your business and family?
Would you survive
if the business were closed down for weeks,
months, or perhaps your entire revenue season?
What can you do to
make sure your business survives?
Information & Communication
Tips from the Small Business Administration
Make
backup copies of all critical records such as
accounting and employee data, as well as
customer lists, production formulas, and
inventory. Keep a backup copy of your computer’s
basic operating system, boot files, and critical
software. Store a copy of all vital information
on-site in a fire-proof vault and a second copy in a
safe off-site location. Make it a critical part
of your routine to regularly back up files.
Make
pre-arrangements with computer vendors to
quickly replace damaged vital hardware. Keep
invoices, shipping lists, and other
documentation of your system configuration
off-site so you can quickly order the correct
replacement components. Take care of credit
checks, purchase accounts and other vendor
requirements in advance so that the vendor can
ship replacements immediately.
Surge-protect all computer and phone equipment
through power and phone lines. A power surge
through a telephone line can destroy an entire
computer through a connected modem. Invest in a
surge protector that has a battery backup and
software for an automated system shut-down to
assure that systems keep working through short
duration blackouts and gracefully shut down
before battery backup power is completely
exhausted.
Maintain
an up-to-date copy of phone numbers, computer
and Internet logon codes and passwords, employee
phone numbers and other critical information in
an accessible location. Develop an employee
"telephone tree" to rapidly contact employees in
an emergency.
Additional Disaster Recovery and Business
Continuity information will be added here within
the next few weeks.
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