PROTECT YOUR CRUCIAL RECORDS USING DISASTER RECOVERY PLANNING

In just a matter of few months, an average company could double its stored data. As new laws require businesses to keep information for an increased period of time, it's up to the organization to obey the regulations and to create an effective mechanism for managing their records. While managing records is very necessary, disaster recovery planning is paramount. As storing large volumes of information may require substantial capital, the majority of organizations mistakenly select to minimize costs by eliminating this area of planning altogether.

Know Why Disaster Recovery Planning Is Important

It is the responsibility of an organization to manage and protect all of the information which it stores. Whether such data includes customers’ personal information or is mission critical, the organization is committed to store it in a secure way. Planning should not only concentrate on the data required for daily operations. Since the vast majority of client files and customer data could include sensitive, private information, it's equally essential to secure all the data in the event that disaster strikes such as blackout, fire, hurricane, flood, and even terrorist attacks.

Another major subject for companies is virtual threat. They may include network errors, data breaches and viruses which not only prevent the business from operating, but it could also open up vital data as well. Safe disaster recovery planning makes sure that information doesn't get deleted, stolen, or lost. It also secures it from third parties such as identity thieves.

Federal Regulations and Disaster Recovery Planning

Countless federal regulations like Check 21 and HIPAA, need companies to use powerful disaster recovery planning. Companies may not receive federal support for recovery or can face fines if they do not have effective strategies in place. Any company with a plan must ensure that it follows federal and state regulations strictly in order to remain cooperative even during a state of disaster.

Why Back-Ups Are Not Sufficient?

Backup mechanisms are very complex and most of the companies utilize them for disaster recovery planning. Though, having in-house backup mechanisms are crucial for recovery, they aren't as reliable or secure as having one specific plan in place for managing records. Backup mechanism must be employed to store mission-crucial information which could be re-installed so that a business gets on its feet after a disaster. However, customer information or other private, critical data which can be easily intercepted by third parties should never be stored on a backup system. Digital backup mechanisms could not secure paper files from fire, water or soot damage. Alternatively, a company must include records management inside its strategy so that paper files remain secure and are stored offsite-far away from potential disaster regions.

Regardless of the size of your business or your industry, having an effective disaster recovery plan in place is absolutely essential for the sustainability and security of your business. Organizations specializing in this area of record management could assist in storing digital files and also paper files to make sure that not only are your records secure, but also you obey all federal and state backup regulations.