In today’s digital age, it’s crucial for small to medium businesses in New Zealand to have their IT basics sorted. Whether you manage it in-house or rely on a trusted IT provider, ensuring these fundamentals can safeguard your operations.
With the recent global IT crash, other threats reared.
Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule
3 copies of your data (production data and 2 backup copies)
2 different media (disk and tape)
1 copy off-site for disaster recovery
Risk Assessment and Business Impact Analysis
Identify potential risks and their impact on operations to prioritise recovery efforts.
Recovery Objectives
Define Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) to determine acceptable downtime and data loss.
Hardware and Software Inventory
Keep an updated inventory to quickly identify and replace damaged components.
Recovery Procedures
Develop step-by-step instructions for restoring IT systems, applications, and data for various disaster scenarios.
Communication Plan
Establish a plan to keep stakeholders informed during a disaster, including employees, customers, and partners.
Regularly test your disaster recovery plan and backups to ensure they are effective and up-to-date. This practice helps staff know what to expect and ensures reliable recovery during a crisis.
Employee Safety and Well-being
Include procedures for employee safety during a crisis, such as evacuation plans and emergency contacts.
Supply Chain Resilience
Develop strategies to maintain supply chain operations and manage relationships with key suppliers, customers, and partners.
Training and Awareness
Conduct regular training to ensure employees understand their roles during a disruption.
Delegations of Authority and Responsibility
Define who is in charge if key decision-makers are unavailable, including their authority to run the business and make financial decisions.
By implementing these IT essentials, New Zealand SMEs can ensure they are well-prepared to handle any disruptions and continue their operations smoothly.
