6 Reasons Why You Need a Backup and Business Resumption Plan

In this quickly-expanding cybersecurity landscape, it’s not good enough to ask yourself “if” your data will be threatened, you have to ask yourself “when.” There’s only one way to ensure your business and personal files are protected from this sort of (very popular) ransomware threat: you need a complete backup, recovery, and business resumption plan. Here are six reasons why backing up your data is absolutely critical to the success of your business.

Another day, another cybersecurity threat. This time, it’s “Thanatos,” a new ransomware program infecting computers, holding files for ransom, and demanding Bitcoin. What makes Thanatos different from other ransomware infections, though, is that while it encrypts your files it doesn’t save the decryption key anywhere. Meaning that once Thanatos hits, your files are most likely lost forever, even if you pay the Bitcoin ransom.

If the threat of Thanatos didn't convince you right off the bat, here are six more reasons why you need a backup:

1. Your data is a target

All data is vulnerable to threats. These threats can come in many shapes and sizes: natural disasters, unexpected hardware failure, mistakes made by employees, viruses, hackers, the list goes on. 43 percent of cyberattacks specifically target small businesses, while only 14 percent of small businesses rate their ability to mitigate cyber risks, vulnerabilities, and attacks has “highly effective.”

1. Downtime will cost your business

Your customers and employees count on your company’s ability to function. If you lose your data, downtime is what follows while you take steps to get back up and running. Imagine how difficult it would be for you if your employees can’t access essential files or use the applications and software they rely on to do work. And imagine trying to serve your customers while this is all happening. If you don’t have a data recovery solution and backup resumption plan, then your restoration efforts will become rebuilding efforts.

1. Losing data is easier than you think

When most people picture data loss, they picture something catastrophic occuring, like a fire, flood, or tornado. In reality, more than half of all data loss is caused by human error or hardware failure- both of which are “everyday” events that are difficult to prevent.

1. Some data is irreplaceable

Starting over with data collection from the beginning is difficult enough as it is without having to factor in trying to replicate data that is impossible to replace. Photographs, videos, and records of financial transactions are just some of the things you might lose if you can’t restore them from a backup. And if you don’t backup your personal files either, imagine all the important family moments you might lose.

1. Your reputation is important

How would you explain the loss of your data to your clients and employees? To investors in your company? Those who might want to do business with you in the future? Not having a business resumption plan could signal to others that your company has a lack of foresight and proper security measures- and that’s not the message you want to send.

1. Peace of mind

There’s something to be said for being able to say “yes, I’m protected, my data is in good hands if disaster strikes.” Knowing that you’ll be able to recover valuable information (sometimes the same information that keeps your company running) if your data is threatened will help you and your employees sleep better at night. And, even if your backup is never called upon, knowing you’re covered is the first step towards supporting your business as it grows and expands.

If you’d like to learn more about data backup, recovery, and business resumption, take a look at our RestartDR service. We combine both a physical backup and a Cloud-based backup for total coverage. If you’d like to build a plan for your business, give TechBldrs a call or send us an email.