When you run a small or medium-sized business, Disaster Recovery might not always be top of mind. But many businesses, especially those using on-premise software, operate under a series of misconceptions that leave them vulnerable to catastrophic data loss, downtime, and financial strain.
Moving from on-premise servers to a cloud-based system can offer added safeguards, such as remote data backups, better accessibility, and increased flexibility during emergencies.
If a transition to the cloud isn’t in the cards, you can still implement protective measures and create a strong disaster recovery plan to safeguard your business.
Below, we’ll explore the most common myths surrounding Disaster Recovery and why having a plan in place is critical, even if you’re not ready to move to the cloud.
Myth #1: “It’s only for big companies”
It is a misnomer that Disaster Recovery is only for large corporations with massive amounts of data and complex systems. Small to Medium Size Businesses (SMB)s are just as vulnerable, if not more so. System outages, data breaches, or natural disasters can bring a small business to a standstill, potentially resulting in significant revenue loss and a damaged reputation. SMBs may not have the luxury of expensive recovery resources, making a well-defined Disaster Recovery plan essential to ensure business continuity, regardless of company size.
Myth #2: “We can just figure it out if something happens”
Thinking you can “wing it” when disaster strikes is a risky approach. Improvising in the midst of a crisis can lead to delays, lost data, and prolonged downtime, which can harm customer relationships and disrupt operations.
A proper Disaster Recovery plan helps you avoid scrambling to fix problems. With a pre-established process in place, you can recover quickly and efficiently, minimizing the impact on your business and getting back to work as soon as possible.
Myth #3: “Our data is too small to matter”
Even if your business doesn’t handle large amounts of data, the data you do have is critical to your operations. From customer records to financial data and inventory management, losing access to even a small amount of information can cause a significant disruption.
Disaster Recovery isn’t about the quantity of data but rather its importance to your business. Losing a few key files could mean losing the ability to serve customers or track orders, which can have long-term consequences for an SMB.
Myth #4: “It’s too expensive”
Many SMBs shy away from Disaster Recovery because they believe it’s too costly. Modern Disaster Recovery solutions, however, are more affordable than ever, especially with cloud-based options that scale to meet your specific needs.
You don’t need an enterprise-level budget to protect your data and ensure a smooth recovery process. When compared to the potential cost of downtime, lost customers, or rebuilding data from scratch, implementing a Disaster Recovery plan is a smart investment.
Myth #5: “We’re not a critical industry”
Disaster Recovery isn’t limited to industries like healthcare or finance. Any business that relies on technology to operate needs a recovery plan in place. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a power outage, or a cyberattack, no business is immune to disruptions.
Downtime can be detrimental to customer relationships, brand reputation, and day-to-day operations—regardless of what industry you’re in. A Disaster Recovery plan ensures you’re prepared to recover quickly, minimizing damage to your business.
Myth #6: “We have backups, so we’re covered”
Backups are only one part of a comprehensive Disaster Recovery strategy. Having your data backed up is crucial, but it doesn’t ensure that you can recover quickly or effectively.
A true Disaster Recovery plan involves more than just storing data—it covers system restoration, transaction recovery, and employee training to ensure your team knows how to handle an emergency. Without these steps in place, backups alone won’t prevent extended downtime or restore your systems to full functionality.
Attivo’s Disaster Recovery Solution: A Plan Before the Problem
For SMBs using on-premise systems, Disaster Recovery may seem like a complicated or unnecessary expense. But with Attivo’s Disaster Recovery Solution, we’re here to help you plan ahead before disaster strikes.
While some businesses may not be ready to move to the cloud, on-premise servers alone can’t be trusted to safeguard your data during an emergency. Here are some important questions to ask yourself:
- Are you backing up everything needed to recover your business?
- How do you know? When was the last time you tested your Disaster Recovery plan?
- What if the disaster ruins your facilities or data center—can you recover from a different location?
- How many hours or minutes of transactions could you afford to lose before it causes irreparable damage?
- Do you know how you’d communicate with customers, suppliers, and team members if your systems go down?
Disaster Recovery isn’t just about having backups. It’s about living with the peace of mind that your business will operate, no matter what happens. Attivo’s Disaster Recovery solution is affordable, scalable, and flexible—whether you’re staying on-premise or considering a future move to the cloud. Call us to perform a no obligation business assessment. Once your unique needs are met, you can focus on what matters: running your business.
The Cost of Not Having a Plan
Without a proper Disaster Recovery plan, you’re leaving your business exposed to potentially crippling downtime, data loss, and reputation damage.
A striking example of this is the recent ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, which compromised the private health information of over 100 million individuals. This incident, recognized as one of the largest known digital thefts of medical records in U.S. history (and happened just earlier this year), highlights how vulnerable even the biggest players can be.
The stolen data included sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, medical diagnoses, and financial details. The attack caused widespread disruptions across the healthcare sector, impacting thousands of hospitals and medical practices reliant on Change Healthcare’s services for insurance and billing.
This case serves as a reminder that cybersecurity threats can affect any organization, regardless of size or industry. A lack of preparedness can lead to lasting repercussions that impact countless individuals.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—prepare now with Attivo’s Disaster Recovery Solution, and safeguard your business for the future. Get in touch with our team to learn more.