--- title: "Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery: What's The Difference?" description: "Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery: What's The Difference? This article explains the key differences that you need to know." image: https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/hubfs/Business%20Continuity%20vs%20Distaster%20Recovery.png --- [![EnvisionIT Solutions Blog Logo](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/hubfs/eits%20blog%20logo.svg "EnvisionIT Solutions Blog Logo")](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/) - Blog Topics - [IT Security](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/it-security) - [VoIP Phones](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/voip-phones) - [IT Outsourcing](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/it-outsourcing) - [Business Continuity](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/business-continuity) - [Tech Tips](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/tech-tips) - [Cloud Tech](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/cloud-tech) - [Web Design](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/web-design) - [Website Security](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/website-security) - [Web Tips](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/web-tips) - [SEO](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/seo) - [Marketing](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/marketing) - [Graphic Design](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/graphic-design) - [⚲ Search](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/search) - ¦ - [IT Support](http://www.envisionitsolutions.com/it-services/) - [Business Continuity](https://www.envisionitsolutions.com/business-continuity/) - [VoIP Phones](https://www.envisionitsolutions.com/voip-select/) - [Web Design](http://www.envisionitsolutions.com/website-design/) [☰](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/business-continuity-vs-disaster-recovery-whats-the-difference#mobile) - [Tech Tips](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/tech-tips) - [Business Technology](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/business-technology) - [IT Outsourcing](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/it-outsourcing) - [General IT](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/general-it) ## [Is Your Technology Helping Your Team - or Holding Them Back?](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/is-your-technology-helping-your-team-or-holding-them-back) **Cody Osborn** | Jul 6, 2026 8:39:14 AM   - [Business Continuity](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/topic/business-continuity) ### [Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery: What's The Difference?](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/business-continuity-vs-disaster-recovery-whats-the-difference) - - - [Back to posts](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com) # September 26, 2025 # Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery: What's The Difference? # Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery: What's The Difference? ![Business Continuity vs Distaster Recovery](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Business%20Continuity%20vs%20Distaster%20Recovery.png?width=4700&height=2500&name=Business%20Continuity%20vs%20Distaster%20Recovery.png)There are many things to consider when [starting a business](https://www.thebalancesmb.com/starting-a-small-business-4161641).   This is why a business plan is important. It helps to foresee every possible scenario that can impact or affect your business.    Once your business is up and running things can happen beyond your control. This is why planning for the unexpected is essential!   Having proper insurance during an unforeseen event is important. However, having a written plan in place will help you maneuver through challenges more effectively.    Are you an IT provider?   Keep reading to learn the differences in *business continuity* vs *disaster recovery*.   Related Post: [Top Cybersecurity Threats in 2025 and How to Tackle Them](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/top-cybersecurity-threats-in-2025-and-how-to-tackle-them) ## Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery It is common for people to confuse business continuity with a disaster recovery plan.   They both deal with operational responses following an event that impacts your business.   Both are vital to reducing eliminating downtime when your business experiences a disruption.    For an IT company, [data loss](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/data-loss.asp) rates along the lines of a security breach.   Having natural disaster plans in place to secure servers during service interruptions can save your business both financially and emotionally.   Let's breakdown the basics of each.   ### Business Continuity Plan   A business continuity plan is a detailed document created to deal with things like natural disasters, floods, and fires.   It outlines the steps that will be taken, shows role assignments, and procedures on how to get the business back up and running.    It has multiple sections including: - [![New Call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/345825/6bc70097-262c-4ed5-906b-b5e5539e69fd.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/345825/6bc70097-262c-4ed5-906b-b5e5539e69fd)applications - securing software needed for the business to operate - communication - to ensure everyone is engaged and knows their roles - facilities - inspecting the building to verify it is safe to return - processes - are in place to continue business or relocate - technology to ensure equipment, servers, and data has not been breached The business continuity plan also includes the data recovery plan.   ### Data Recovery Plan  Your data recovery plan is critical to your business operations being able to recover at a critical performance level. It will cover:   - client and company [data backup](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/backup-definition-what-exactly-is-data-backup-and-why-is-it-important) and security  - computers are fully functional  - IT infrastructure is intact - servers are operational   Upon full inspection, by the IT specialists, recovery efforts to get the company back up and running will go into effect. ## Do You Need Both? It is not a matter of one or the other.   The *disaster recovery plan* is a component of the *business continuity plan*. You need both to address your business operations and get back to serving your customers as soon as possible.   Any company with computers, computer software, and servers cannot regroup quickly if they do not have a data recovery plan.   Failure to create and maintain a business continuity plan will create confusion and chaos.   Your business will not have a chain of command when it comes to communication and defined recovery roles. ## Plan for the Worst Just in Case *Business continuity* vs *disaster recovery plans* is not an either-or situation.   Your business needs a thorough blueprint on how to recover from unforeseen business interruption.    Are you ready to create a business continuity plan? [Click here](https://envisionitsolutions.com/business-continuity/) to learn more from our technology experts.  ![Cody Osborn](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/hubfs/Cody-Osborn.png) ###### ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Cody Osborn I am a Web Services Consultant @ EnvisionIT Solutions. I develop and maintain numerous websites for clients across the nation. I also help shape businesses image through branding and help them grow through content marketing. Find me on: --- #### Subscribe to our newsletter [Subscribe Now](https://www.envisionitsolutions.com/newsletter-signup/) [![21-questions](https://blog.envisionitsolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2018%20Image%20Files/21-questions.png?width=258&name=21-questions.png "21-questions")](http://info.envisionitsolutions.com/21-questions) #### **21 Questions To Ask Before Hiring An Honest, Competent, Responsive, Fairly-Priced Computer Consultant** Don’t trust your company’s critical data and operations to just anyone! This business advisory guide will arm you with 21 Revealing Questions you should ask any computer consultant before giving them access to your network. 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