Disaster recovery planning and management
Planning is the number one tool a business has at its disposal to prevent a crisis. Cyber attacks and natural disasters can be unavoidable and unpredictable. If DR teams plan for the worst, they can avoid being caught off guard. Get helpful disaster recovery advice, templates and tests that will prepare your organization for almost anything.
Top Stories
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Tip
21 Dec 2023
The emerging role of the chief resilience officer in BCDR
Business continuity, disaster recovery and resilience are often managed by a variety of different personnel. Appointing a chief resilience officer can bring BCDR to the forefront. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Nov 2023
High availability and resiliency: A DR strategy needs both
An organization's resiliency during and after a crisis depends on many factors. High availability is one aspect of overall resiliency that DR teams can't afford to overlook. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Nov 2023
Top 5 IT disaster scenarios DR teams must test
While most organizations are prepared to face small-scale interruptions, they cannot overlook a larger, more complex crisis just because it seems less likely to occur. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Nov 2023
Real-life business continuity failures: 4 examples to study
Business continuity failures are costly and can significantly harm a company's reputation. These four high-profile examples demonstrate what can go wrong when a plan fails. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Oct 2023
Risk assessment matrix: Free template and usage guide
A risk assessment matrix identifies issues that present the greatest potential for business disruption or damage. Use this free template to focus risk mitigation plans. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Oct 2023
Business continuity maturity model: An at-a-glance guide
Business continuity maturity models are effective tools to improve disaster recovery processes and define an organization's desired level of BC preparedness. Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2023
Nutanix adds ransomware alerts, recovery tools to HCI SaaS
Hyperconverged infrastructure specialist Nutanix preps for further hybrid cloud adoption by adding ransomware recovery tools to SaaS products. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2023
Everbridge 360 emphasizes communication, preparedness
Everbridge envisions its new 360 critical event management platform as a multiyear release. Features are heavy on the ability to communicate in a disaster. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Sep 2023
How to use a SWOT analysis for IT disaster recovery planning
A disaster recovery IT SWOT analysis can identify the good and the bad aspects of a DR plan, as well as highlight potential risks and opportunities for improvement. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2023
MSP shares details of Kaseya VSA ransomware attack, recovery
Progressive Computing was one of 60 victims of the Kaseya VSA ransomware attack in 2021. Now, a co-founder tells the story of discovery and recovery. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2023
What are 5 good reasons to do yearly disaster recovery testing?
Do you think yearly disaster recovery testing is overkill? You're not alone, but you are missing out on some key ways DR testing can help backup and recovery efforts. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jul 2023
6 ways to support business resilience at your organization
Without enough support, resilience initiatives are unlikely to succeed. Here are six ways individuals and departments can support business resilience. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Jul 2023
Avoid data loss in a natural disaster with the right backups
In recent years, changing weather patterns have kept backup admins on their toes. Preparation is critical to prevent data loss and recover quickly after a natural disaster. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jul 2023
How often should you review a business continuity plan?
Business continuity plans are not a one-and-done deal. Before a disaster strikes, ensure your organization's BC plan is up to date with regular reviews. Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2023
Veeam execs examine backup and security blend, other trends
Veeam leaders break down how cybersecurity issues have changed the data protection conversation. The discussion also details future plans, such as in SaaS backup and potential IPO. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2023
Users dish on ransomware protection, recovery at VeeamON
To help protect against and recover from ransomware attacks, IT professionals at VeeamON 2023 recommended planning, testing and other key security measures. Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2023
Veeam ransomware protection highlighted in Kasten, detection
Veeam unveiled security updates to its Kubernetes backup product at VeeamON. In addition, IDrive released an object storage appliance for users of Veeam and other backup vendors. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 May 2023
10 game-changing disaster recovery trends
Recent trends in AI, ransomware and data regulations have a major impact on disaster recovery teams. Don't let the rapidly changing IT landscape hurt your DR initiatives. Continue Reading
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News
08 May 2023
20-year evolution of Everbridge critical event management
Everbridge critical event management has reached Ukraine and work-from-anywhere users. CEO David Wagner explains how he's guided the company through difficult times. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2023
10 disaster recovery questions to ask in 2023 and beyond
There are many factors to getting a disaster recovery plan to run smoothly. Here are 10 questions disaster recovery teams should ask themselves, their vendors and their leadership. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2023
12 business continuity trends to keep an eye on
As technology rapidly evolves, IT pros are bound to see countless trends come and go. In business continuity, there are some significant trends shaping up to change the field. Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Apr 2023
Technology decisions and technical debt in data protection
In this video, two expert analysts discuss digital transformation, IT spending and technical debt, as well as how these topics fit into a data protection strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2023
Network documentation best practices for DR teams
In the event of a disaster, IT teams often think of servers and storage, but forget about networks. Find out what you should document as part of your network DR plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2023
How to maintain network continuity in a DR strategy
Disaster doesn't just come in the form of fire, flood and ransomware. Loss of network continuity is a real issue and must be appropriately addressed in disaster recovery planning. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Feb 2023
Prevent different types of network attacks with DR planning
Disaster recovery and IT security teams must protect the network on several fronts to keep data safe from potential attackers. A dedicated disaster recovery plan can help. Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2023
Veeam launches Data Platform, ransomware warranty
Veeam Data Platform features Backup & Replication v12 and other management capabilities. In addition, Object First released its appliance focused on storage for Veeam users. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2023
Fine-tune a social media emergency plan with ISO 22329:2021
Social media and its effective management are major interests for emergency management professionals. Find out how ISO's recent standard can help guide a social media strategy. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2023
FAA outage highlights importance of high availability
An outage of a critical FAA system highlights a need for enterprises to ensure availability and recovery of critical systems, even if industry best practices aren't attainable. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
20 Jan 2023
Effective business continuity requires evolution and a plan
Investment in business continuity is one of the best ways to get an organization back on its feet during and after an incident. Updated plans are critical to avoid a crisis. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jan 2023
Developing an emergency communications plan: A template for business continuity professionals
Communicating details in a crisis is a vital part of BC and resilience planning. Follow the steps below and the associated template to prepare an emergency communication plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Dec 2022
Why BCDR teams should consider EMP disaster recovery plans
An EMP event could be a major game changer depending on where it happens and who is affected. EMP disaster recovery might not seem urgent, but it never hurts to be prepared. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Dec 2022
Top 8 business continuity certifications to consider in 2023
There are many certifications available, including the Certified Business Continuity Professional and Certified Disaster Recovery Engineer. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Dec 2022
Ensure network resilience in a network disaster recovery plan
A network disaster recovery plan doesn't always mean network resilience. Learn how factors like funding, identifying potential risks and constant updates make a difference. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Dec 2022
Use NFPA data center standards to help evade fire risks
A fire in a data center can damage equipment, cause data loss and put personnel in harm's way. Look to NFPA fire protection guidelines to hedge your risk against data center fires. Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2022
Data resiliency guarantees offer new kind of assurance
Data resiliency guarantees from Druva, Rubrik and AvePoint offer data warranties of up to $10 million, but experts caution customers to read the fine print. Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Nov 2022
Ransomware preparedness: The long road ahead
Is your organization ready for ransomware? A recent survey shows that businesses in a variety of industries are all struggling with ransomware prevention and recovery. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2022
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 bridges on-premises to cloud
Enabling hybrid deployments that span the cloud and on-premises is the key goal for Microsoft's latest update of its 33-year-old relational database. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2022
Where do business continuity plans fit in a ransomware attack?
Recovery isn't the only priority when ransomware hits. Careful planning, training and coordination among IT teams are critical to maintain business continuity during an attack. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Oct 2022
Create a flood business continuity plan to stay afloat
In the event of a flood, don't settle for watered-down action plans. Download our free flood business continuity plan template to create a flood-specific recovery strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Oct 2022
How to avoid common GPO backup and restore problems
Group Policy Objects help admins maintain control of the enterprise environment, but it takes some planning to understand how to properly protect and recover GPOs to avoid trouble. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Oct 2022
What to include in a network disaster recovery plan checklist
A network disaster recovery plan should include components like documentation, emergency contacts, step-by-step procedures, provider and vendor details, backup info and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Sep 2022
Why a HIPAA disaster recovery plan is critical
Disaster recovery is a complex and high-stakes operation. When healthcare data is in the mix, a good DR plan is even more crucial. Do you have a HIPAA disaster plan in place? Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2022
Use ISO 22320:2018 to prepare an incident management plan
Incident management is critical to ensure that businesses can deal with unplanned disruptive events. Find out how the ISO:22320:2018 standard can help. Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2022
New Everbridge CEO takes over at critical time
New Everbridge CEO David Wagner details his areas of focus for the company. Investor Ancora has suggested that a private equity firm should acquire Everbridge. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2022
Tips to prepare for a network disaster recovery audit
Enterprises can audit their network disaster recovery plans to ensure thorough protection and preparation. Consider factors like documentation, management support and audit type. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Aug 2022
Use ISO/TS 22317:2021 to shape your business impact analysis
ISO/TS 22317:2021 is a useful tool for BCDR practitioners and other personnel tasked with executing a BIA, which can often be a highly complex activity. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Aug 2022
Where does AI fit into a risk assessment strategy?
AI is a helpful way to take a different look at risk assessment and disaster recovery. AI sifts through massive amounts of risk data without the typical constraints of DR teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Aug 2022
Free disaster recovery budget template to justify BCDR spending
Budgeting for disaster recovery does not need to be difficult. With detailed guidance from our free budget template, IT professionals can easily initiate and manage the process. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2022
Use recovery level objective to fine-tune BCDR response
Recovery level objective is not a widely used metric, but it has value to business continuity and disaster recovery teams. Learn how it fits in the BCDR timeline here. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Jul 2022
Get the most out of Azure Site Recovery DRaaS
For Azure users, the Site Recovery DRaaS tool provides reliable and accessible disaster recovery. Testing and good management are critical to get the most out of the service. Continue Reading
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Answer
22 Jul 2022
Future of tape backup built on consistent advancements
Tape still plays a key role in backup, including offline protection from ransomware. What are some key improvements that will keep tape backup relevant in the future? Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2022
Tighten up work recovery time for successful disaster recovery
The best strategy for reducing work recovery time windows is done before the need arises. Proactive disaster recovery planning is key to being as prepared as possible. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 May 2022
SaaS disaster recovery best practices for users and providers
When it comes to SaaS disaster recovery there are two main roles: the consumer and the provider. The side of the fence they're on defines their options and responsibilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 May 2022
12 key points a disaster recovery plan checklist must include
Having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan checklist ensures that you can get data center operations back up and running as efficiently as possible when an incident does occur. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 May 2022
Free business impact analysis (BIA) template with instructions
If you need to perform a business impact analysis, this guide and our free, downloadable template will assist you in your business continuity planning. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 May 2022
Business resilience vs. business continuity: Key differences
Business continuity and resilience go hand in hand and play a role in an organization's disaster recovery plan. Essentially, business continuity is needed to achieve resilience. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 May 2022
ITGC audit checklist: 6 controls you need to address
Assess the risks to your IT operations and company infrastructure with an IT general controls audit. Download our checklist to help you remember what to include in the audit. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 May 2022
A free business continuity plan template and guide
A business continuity plan is critical for an organization when an unplanned event occurs. Follow this template and BC planning guidelines to get on the right path to resilience. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2022
Top 10 business continuity risks to monitor
Business continuity and disaster recovery threats vary by organization, but common threads can be found across the globe. Ten worrisome trends appear to be having a big year. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
Zerto tips and tricks for ransomware recovery
Ransomware recovery is a major concern for disaster recovery teams. For businesses using Zerto, there are a variety of ransomware protection and recovery features that can help. Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2022
Sungard files second Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Sungard Availability Services cited pricey colocation centers and COVID-19 as business challenges that led the company to file for bankruptcy in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Discover disaster recovery and backup for edge networks
Proper backup and DR at the edge requires an awareness of the specific challenges edge devices present, and appropriate plans and tooling to help ease management. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2022
White House: Data backups critical part of cyber strategy
Security experts and vendors support the White House's suggestions, such as offline data backups, to promote cyber resilience. Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2022
Rewind adds Atlassian Jira backups to supported services
Rewind's Backups for Jira expands its portfolio of supported SaaS platforms with Jira Software Cloud. New Rewind technology will add new SaaS requests faster. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2022
How AI adds value to crisis communications systems
AI provides key enhancements to existing emergency notifications systems that can reduce the amount of time a business needs to effectively prepare for and respond to a crisis. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Mar 2022
How to calculate maximum allowable downtime
Determining maximum allowable downtime is more than a simple equation. Find out why it's important, how it varies and the elements that make the maximum allowable downtime metric. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Feb 2022
How to manage disaster recovery in SQL Server
SQL Server offers a platform for hosting relational databases. Enacting a disaster recovery plan that won't disrupt mission-critical SQL Server workloads is essential. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Feb 2022
The best enterprise storage systems and products of 2021
Thirty-nine finalists competed for top honors in the annual 'Storage' magazine and SearchStorage Products of the Year awards. Find out which won gold, silver and bronze. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Feb 2022
The top backup and disaster recovery services of 2021
Products of the Year winners in the backup and disaster recovery services category wowed judges with their innovation, ransomware protection and scalability. Continue Reading
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Infographic
14 Feb 2022
Proactive risk mitigation should be a business priority
Every organization will likely deal with a critical event at some point, but many are still reluctant to make proactive risk mitigation a priority. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2022
Decode the 4 phases of emergency management
The four-phase framework to emergency management can help organizations plan for all types of emergencies. Here's more about each phase and the steps to take within each. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jan 2022
Critical event management software simplifies disaster recovery
Critical event management software can help reduce the chaos of disaster response, without overloading disaster recovery teams with data or complicating communications. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2021
IT resilience management, planning top of mind for DR pros
Resilience is a key issue for disaster recovery pros. This year, readers sought to build up their skills and learn more about the role of resilience in DR. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Dec 2021
Where do PSIM systems fit into disaster recovery?
Organizations that use multiple security platforms can look to PSIM systems to be better prepared for an incident. Read on for more about how they work. Continue Reading
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Answer
16 Nov 2021
What is the role of qualitative and quantitative impact in DR?
Disaster recovery planners use several metrics to craft a plan suited to their organizations. Quantitative and qualitative impact are two helpful metrics in a recovery strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Nov 2021
Prepare a supply chain disaster recovery plan
Supply chain disruptions can bring business to a halt and lead to high costs. Examine potential threats, mitigation costs and prepare to plug any gaps in the chain. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2021
How to calculate and reduce MTTR
Mean time to repair is a helpful performance metric to ensure that important systems and processes don't fail. BCDR teams should know how to calculate MTTR, as well as lower it. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Oct 2021
Prepare and conduct a ransomware tabletop exercise
Tabletop exercises help organizations practice response and recovery, but one size doesn't fit all. For ransomware attacks, use this template to create a targeted exercise. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Oct 2021
IT risk assessment template (with free download)
Risk assessments are a critical part of a disaster recovery plan. Find out how to prepare a risk assessment and then download the included free template to create one. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Sep 2021
Decode different types of business interruption insurance
Business interruption insurance can be difficult to navigate because not all policies are the same. Here's what to examine when exploring insurance options. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Aug 2021
Top mass notification system vendors and how to choose one
Mass notification systems are crucial to a business continuity and disaster recovery strategy. To choose the right system, cross-check its capabilities with your requirements. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2021
Use ISO 22332 to improve business continuity plans
Standards offer guidance on business continuity and disaster recovery plans. ISO 22332 is no exception, providing great detail on how to prepare and execute a BC plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Aug 2021
Understand the costs of a disaster recovery failure
A disaster recovery plan may seem like an unnecessary expense to some businesses, but a lack of preparation will cost you. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Aug 2021
Make a power outage business continuity plan with these tips
Power outages can lead to business disruption and hit at any moment. Infrastructure testing and emergency protocols can help with business continuity when the lights go down. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2021
Prepare for planned and unplanned downtime
There are two types of IT downtime: planned and unplanned. Neither are desirable, but one is necessary and the other could strike at any moment. Here's how to prepare for both. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jul 2021
DRaaS vs. BaaS: Compare 2 data protection options
While DRaaS and BaaS can simplify data protection operations, they aren't right for all IT shops. Learn the differences between the two technologies -- and the potential risks. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jul 2021
How to plan for the cost of unplanned downtime
Unplanned downtime can lead to serious consequences, including reputational harm, revenue loss and extra IT costs. Use these tips to plan for the unexpected. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jul 2021
Crisis communications training exercises to implement
A crisis communications team must be prepared to spring into action at a moment's notice. Here are three crisis communications training strategies to ensure a team is ready. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2021
Business continuity interview questions for aspiring managers
Business continuity managers must be ready for anything, and that includes interviewing for the role. Here are some common business continuity interview questions to prepare for. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2021
Build a BCDR employee training program for peak resilience
A BCDR training program teaches employees key skills, such as how to conduct risk assessments, coordinate emergency response with first responders and restore business processes. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Jun 2021
Organizational resilience questionnaire for recovery teams
Following organizational resiliency standards such as ISO and BSI can prepare organizations for disaster. These questions provide a starting point to validate OR readiness. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2021
12 skills business continuity managers need to succeed
Communication, collaboration, IT expertise and project management are key skills that business continuity managers must have to efficiently lead a BCDR team. Here's why. Continue Reading
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Report
15 Jun 2021
Guide to business continuity and pandemic planning
This guide explains the enterprise impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how business continuity planning keeps organizations safe and in operation. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jun 2021
How to build a strong crisis communications team
A crisis communications team works best when all members are fully aware of their responsibilities. Here are some tips on building a highly effective response team. Continue Reading
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Answer
08 Jun 2021
What are some examples of organizational resilience?
Organizational resilience encompasses everything a company needs to run in times of crisis. These examples show how businesses handle tough situations. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 May 2021
The tiers of disaster recovery, explained
Organizations have used disaster recovery tiers to define the DR process for years. These key tiers can serve as a backbone to a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Apr 2021
Establish a business continuity team to get the full picture
Business continuity teams provide insight and focus that can keep an organization on its feet when disaster strikes. Don't rely on a disaster recovery team to reduce downtime. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Apr 2021
Castellan Solutions says COVID-19 forced BCDR rethink
COVID-19 caught organizations flat-footed in terms of business continuity, and new challenges will arise as vaccines are distributed, according to Castellan Solutions' CEO and COO. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2021
Create an incident response plan with this free template
Want to boost your organization's ability to fight cybersecurity threats? Uncover the essentials to creating an incident response plan and download our free, editable template. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Mar 2021
Prepare for the unknown with an organizational resilience model
An organizational resilience strategy is far-reaching, involving many facets of IT and the business -- from disaster recovery to supply chain management. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2021
How to establish an operational resilience training program
Collaboration across departments is the new normal to protect business operations. Set up and promote an operational resilience training program with our included printable guide. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Feb 2021
The reality of Docker disaster recovery in practice
A successful Docker DR strategy must account for a range of factors, including the host infrastructure, networks and redundancy in the cloud. Continue Reading