When it comes to the livelihood of your business, you probably have some measures in place to make sure your business can withstand a disaster. That’s where business continuity and disaster recovery plans come into play. These plans are critical to the survival of your business, which is why they’re so important to have.
However, there are still businesses who don’t have any precautions in place. According to a survey by Mercer, 51% of businesses don’t have any kind of business continuity plan in place. The same can be said for disaster recovery. As a business owner, you need both a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, but what’s the difference between the two? In this blog, we will explain each type of plan and how they differ.
The Differences Between Them
#1 – When the Plan Takes Place
The first key difference between business continuity and disaster recovery is when each of them can be enacted. When it comes to business continuity, the plan is focused on both preventive and recovery steps and can take place before or during a disaster. Disaster recovery is more specific. This plan takes place after a disaster occurs. Business continuity is the bigger picture of making sure your business continues to run, and disaster recovery is one of the pieces of that big picture.
#2 – What Each Plan Involves
Different from business continuity plans, disaster recovery plans involve a variety of strategies from safety procedures to data backup procedures. For disaster recovery, there are a few elements that go into the plan. Some of the elements include:
Creating a disaster recovery team
Assessing all the risks
Determining your critical business procedures
Creating your backup and offsite procedures
A business continuity plan is a bit broader, since it covers everything about your business. Some common elements of a business continuity plan include:
An analysis of all your critical business functions
Identifying potential threats
Developing strategies to avoid risks
Contact information for key and emergency personnel
#3 – They Have Different Goals
The goals between the two plans are a bit different. For business continuity, the primary goal is to make sure that your business can run during a disaster. Some other objectives are to reduce the financial loss and make sure critical services are uninterrupted. As for disaster recovery, the primary goal of the plan is to minimize the amount of downtime and data loss you experience. Establishing alternate ways to operate your business and complying with regulations are other objectives of a disaster recovery plan.
How Do Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Work Together?
They both help businesses prepare for the worst. Together, their purpose is to make sure your business can bounce back from disruptions and continue to be successful. When you don’t have a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, you leave your business vulnerable to disasters – and several other issues that eat into your organization’s productivity. Consider this: the Federal Emergency Management Agency found that 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster. So it’s important that you account for how you will recover when an issue does arise.
We know everything from disaster recovery to business continuity can be overwhelming. Instead of stressing over these plans, leave it to the IT experts. Here at NetAssurity, our experts are ready to tackle your IT concerns so you can focus on what matters – your business.
Check out our past blogs and contact a member of our team to learn more about disaster recovery and other great cyber tips.
Do you have any data recovery system in place right now? It may not be something you think about often, but it’s extremely important that you’re taking care of your data. Unfortunately, most of the time, we don’t realize our data is in danger until it’s too late. The Identity Theft Resource Center found that there were over 1,800 data compromises in 2021, making it a new record. In other words, there’s never been a more critical time than the present to protect your information.
We know how important your business data is. That’s why we want to make sure you’re protecting it. Having a proper data backup and recovery plan can ensure the safety of your data and keep your business running efficiently. There are many benefits to having a strong data recovery system. Here are just a few of them.
The Advantages of Data Backup & Recovery
1. Strong Security
Having strong security is one of the most important aspects of data recovery. First off, there’s always a risk of cyberattacks impacting your business. But as your IT systems grow, the likelihood of becoming vulnerable only increases. And as you probably know, these cybercriminals can get into your systems and steal data without you knowing. To keep your data secure, more and more data recovery solutions offer users the chance to encrypt their data to give it an extra layer of protection from bad actors.
2. Ease of Management
Having ease of data management can create consistency in your data backup process. If your employees are backing up their computers themselves, you have no guarantee that their backups are up to date. With a strong recovery system, you can avoid inconsistent and irregular backups. When your business has an updated backup system, there is always a copy of what you need, and your employees can get back to work faster if they do experience disruption.
3. Replication You Can Rely On
Data backup and recovery software offers replication you can rely on. You can make multiple replicas of your data and store them securely offsite, that way you always have a backup. In the event you lose your data, you can always go back and find the replica of that file so you can continue working. Replicating your files saves you time and helps with productivity.
4. Controls Costs
Let’s say you lost your data; you would probably have to hire someone to recover what you lost. Hiring a third-party service could cost you time and a lot of money depending on the severity. Having an updated data recovery system can help you retrieve your data faster and save you money from having to hire someone to help.
5. Builds Customer Trust
Your customers always want to make sure that their data is safe. If you experience a data breach, it could lead to some distrust and hurt your reputation. A solid and reliable data recovery system can help keep your customers’ data safe and give you a cushion to fall back on in the case of data loss.
Your business data is an important asset, so make sure you’re taking the proper steps to keep it secure. The first step to protecting your data is to set up a strong data backup and recovery system. With the right system in place, it’s the best way to set yourself up for success.
We know how complicated it can be to handle all your data alone, so that’s where we come in. The IT experts at NetAssurity in Tampa are pros when it comes to data recovery. It’s the perfect time to learn the basics of keeping your data secure so your business can continue to grow and succeed.
Want to read more about data recovery and other related topics? Check out our other blogs to learn more, or contact our team to continue the conversation.
When was the last time you checked up on your cybersecurity? Most of the time, businesses don’t realize the gaps in their infrastructure until it’s too late. Data protection is a set of tools and policies your business can use to secure your data. It’s key to protect your data in order to guard your network efficiently. If a cybercriminal were to get their hands on your data, they could steal it and sell it on the dark web.
According to BullGuard, 43% of all SMBs have no cybersecurity plan in place to protect themselves, and in the last year IBM reported that SMBs lost an average of over $2.9 million per data breach. As cybercriminals become savvier, it’s important to make sure your business is protected from data theft.
Key Practices You Can Implement to Protect Your Data
We know the idea of being a cyberattack target can be scary. But there are easy steps you can take now to better protect your business data from getting stolen. Here are a few helpful practices to get you started.
1. Educate Your Employees
The majority of data breaches are caused by human error; that’s why it’s crucial that your employees are trained in cybersecurity awareness. When you educate your team on proper cyber hygiene, it can help your business stay secure. Training everyone on how to recognize and respond to cyberattack attempts can help decrease the chances of a data breach caused by human error.
2. Develop a Response Plan for Cyberattacks
Every business is at risk of an attack, so it’s extremely important that you have a plan in place. Something to consider is how your business will restore backups from disastrous scenarios if data theft is a part of the attack. It’s important that you’re testing your backup systems regularly and making sure everything is running smoothly. Practicing ransomware drills or using phishing email simulations is also great tools to see how your employees will act in those situations.
3. Implement Multifactor Authentication Across Your Network
Multifactor authentication (MFA) provides extra layers of security when it comes to logging into your accounts. MFA can help decrease the risk of many types of cyberattacks and help keep these bad actors out of your network. Common examples of MFA include using one-time passwords, pins, and fingerprints.
4. Encrypt Your Data
When you encrypt your data, you translate your data into ciphertext, which makes it unreadable to unauthorized users. Encryption is a great tool to use to protect all your data on your network from being stolen. Encrypting your business files helps keep cybercriminals out of your network.
When you implement these practices in your business, you’re helping your network stay guarded from cybercriminals. While these are great steps in the direction of protecting your business from data theft, it’s difficult to handle this all by yourself. Finding all this intimidating? Partner with an MSP to alleviate some stress.
Here at NetAssurity in Tampa, we’re ready to help keep your organization’s data secure with the latest cybersecurity solutions. Our experts can show you your organization’s current vulnerabilities and offer helpful solutions. If you’re looking for help with your current level of security, contact us today.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has released new information regarding how businesses need to have heightened levels of security due to current global tensions. Every business is vulnerable to cyberattacks, so it’s important to have an updated cybersecurity strategy in place. Are you fully aware of your current cybersecurity practices? Have you implemented a cybersecurity training program? If not, it’s time to do so.
Phishing emails are responsible for about 94% of all malware, and are one of the leading causes of cyberattacks. Every 39 seconds, there is a new attack somewhere on the web. Cybersecurity training is especially important to have because without it, you may not be able to detect an incoming cyberattack.
With everything going on in the world right now, it’s important that your business is fully protected from any potential cyberattacks. In a recent study, it was found that cybercriminals can breach over 90% of company networks. Not only can these cyberattacks disrupt your normal business operations, but they can cause extreme damage to your IT infrastructure that you may not be able to recover from.
Cybersecurity Training: 4 Easy Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Business
You can reduce the chances of being a victim of cyberattack by following simple steps. Here are some easy ways you can get a head start on better guarding your business.
1. Use Two Factor Authentication, 2FA
When you implement 2FA, you’re opting to take an extra step in logging into your accounts to ensure you’re protected. Some common examples are pins, random security questions, confirmation texts, and fingerprints or face ID. When you have an extra step to log in, it makes it more difficult for threats to get into your account.
2. Always Update Your Software
If your devices aren’t updated, it gives holes for cybercriminals to hack into your software. To prevent that from happening, it’s a great idea to turn on automatic updates on all your software. That way, whenever a new update is available, your systems will update automatically. This way, you won’t have to remember to update your software all the time.
3. Think Before You Click
Email security has never been more important than it is today. If you see a link or attachment that doesn’t look familiar to you, it’s best that you avoid it. Most likely when you get sent email links asking for personal information it’s a phishing scam. If you click on these attachments, it gives hackers access to your devices, and they can steal your information.
4. Create Strong Passwords
Did you know the most common used password is “123456”? If that applies to you, it’s time for you to level up your password strength. Some tips for strengthening your password are using at least 15 characters, mixing up letters and numbers, and making sure it’s unique. Using a password manager is a great way to help generate random passwords and securely store them somewhere safe.
Reality is, while these are all great steps to take, you’ll need more help to make sure your business is protected and secure from all angles. When you’re not fully protected, you make your business more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Especially with recent global cyberthreats, now is the perfect time to double check your cybersecurity practices.
Questions you may be asking yourself are if your software is safe or if your backup system is reliable. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the stress, the first step you should take is partnering with an MSP to help you get started.
Here at NetAssurity in Tampa, we can help your business by implementing the best security practices, offering your employees cybersecurity training, and supporting all your other IT needs.
You want your devices to run smoothly and quickly. You want minimal downtime, increased productivity, and decreased costs. One effective way to ensure your technology is aligned with your goals is to conduct a digital cleaning to see where you might be falling short.
If you’re using outdated technology, you risk:
Increased downtime
Heightened costs
Decreased productivity
Security gaps
A digital cleanup is an opportunity to evaluate your security and find out where your software needs to be updated or enhanced. It illuminates any technology issues you may have been neglecting.
A digital cleaning acts as your alert system, a way for you to find out how you can get your devices running better and determine what you can do to optimize and improve your IT infrastructure.
Here are some digital cleanup items you can check off to improve your business technology.
√ Organize Your Digital Files
Free up space by eliminating files that you don’t need while holding onto the ones you still use.
√ Update Your Software
Check to see that you have the most current version of your software to maintain performance and keep your data secure.
√ Delete Old Accounts
Consider deactivating accounts you no longer use.
√ Use a Password Manager
How many passwords do you have? According to NordPass, you probably have around 100 of them. A password manager stores them on secure servers that aren’t accessible to hackers.
√ Evaluate Your Hardware
Run a diagnostic on your hardware to ensure its functionality and learn about out any issues that need to be addressed.
√ Run Updates
When you get a notification on your device that an update is available, don’t ignore it. Updating to its latest operating system ensures it runs as efficiently as possible.
√ Back Up Your Data
All your devices should be backed up to the cloud every 24 hours.
√ Protect Your Device
By using antivirus and antimalware software, you keep your device safe from phishing scams and other hacking ploys.
√ Clear Your Cache
When you eliminate the cookies that keep track of your browsing history, your devices run faster.
√ Partner with an MSP
If you don’t have the time or manpower to regularly clean your tech, consider partnering with an MSP. Partnering with an MSP means you can hand over your checklist for them to do the work. An MSP makes valuable suggestions and gets you on track with your technology and business goals.
NetAssurity is a team of professional technology experts who can run diagnostic tests and provide customized IT solutions that suit your unique business needs.
We know your goal is to improve your technology so that your business continues to grow. It’s our goal, too. Let us shed light on how your technology is running and make recommendations on technology solutions that help you achieve the utmost levels of efficiency and productivity.
Leave your digital cleaning checklist to the experts. You won’t believe the results.
It’s one thing to have cybersecurity — it’s another thing, however, to have modern, effective cybersecurity that can withstand any kind of breach or cyberattack.
The best way to ensure you are reaping the cybersecurity benefits your software has to offer is by doing regular security checkups. A robust checkup includes making sure your employees are adequately trained, that your sensitive data is properly stored and that you have a plan in place to get you up and running should a breach occur.
Of course, you don’t want a breach to occur in the first place — IBM found the global average of a data breach is just shy of $4 million. And performing regular checks of the efficacy of your cybersecurity is a great first step toward stopping disaster.
There are many positives to doing regular tech checks of your cybersecurity such as:
Educating employees — It is imperative to ensure your employees can identify and sidestep attempts at phishing, ransomware and other attacks hackers have up their sleeves, especially since more than 90% of breaches occur because of human error. Your MSP should be able to provide your staff with ample training, whether it’s videos, posters or phishing simulations that won’t just educate your employees but will also make them your company’s strongest line of defense against a possible attack.
Keeping within budget — Effective cybersecurity isn’t always cheap, but it is far less expensive than the financial wallop packed by a breach or an attack. According to Small Business Trends, the average cost of breach to a small business is more than $25,000. TechChannel reports that one hour of downtime caused by a breach costs a business more than $300,000. Those are resources that should be devoted to running your business and growing your company — not mitigating the effects of a potentially disastrous breach. Worse yet, TechRepublic also found that small- and medium-sized companies that fall prey to an attack or breach shut down for good within six months of the incident. Check your tech and you can better protect yourself from becoming a statistic.
Maintaining good standing — As an entrepreneur, you’re not just building a business — you’re building a brand your customers can lean on and trust. Falling victim to a breach will erode that trust. Whether you’re in finance or the medical industry, clients are going to hesitate trusting you with their sensitive data if you can’t keep your own data secure. Security.org found that one in four Americans stop doing business with a company once it has been hacked. Imagine a quarter of your clientele up and leaving, taking their business — and their money — to a competitor while giving your company negative reviews to anyone who asks. Internally, being a company renowned for weak security and the high frequency at which it’s attacked will put a dent in company morale while driving away talented employees and negatively impacting your ability to hire new ones.
Cybersecurity isn’t necessarily a set-it-and-forget-it part of your business. It needs to be updated, maintained and above all, checked. Your cybersecurity benefits will go a long way toward the success and sustainability of your business — if you handle it the right way. If you have any questions or need assistance with putting together your security checklist, please reach out to our team.
NetAssurity in Tampa has security services and solutions that help you keep up with and stay protected against the latest threats. Trust our expert team to provide services that are scalable, cost-efficient and customizable so they fit the specific needs of your industry and budget. Let us protect your business like it’s our business. Reach out to us today and we can assist you in creating an effective checklist that ensures your security has everything it needs to safeguard your network.
Put your money and focus where they belong — toward the growth of your business.
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