There are many things to consider when starting a business.

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.

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 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:

• 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 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 to learn more from our technology experts.