What Makes a Disaster Recovery Plan Effective

One of the most important risks to modern businesses is a disaster. If a natural disaster or a cyber attack knocks out a business network, the operations of the business will be disrupted. This may result in long-term outages or take a hard hit to a companies finances. There can also be a substantial amount of data loss.

Because of the nature of IT risks, you must put a mechanism in place to safeguard your business in case of a disaster. Thankfully, a managed service provider (MSP) can create an effective disaster recovery plan (DRP) for your business. The DRP allows your business to respond to unplanned incidents that may threaten the IT infrastructure of your company.

In this article, we discuss what makes a disaster recovery plan effective.

Regular Testing

An untested disaster recovery plan really won’t be much help. Without testing, you won’t know whether your backups are working or not. You will not know whether or not your supply chain partner is reachable. And whether or not your organization network is capable of restoring lost data very quickly. Testing is the only way to detect issues with your plan. It will also help to ensure everything in your DRP is staying up-to-date.

Your DRP must include how to test your disaster recovery environment including the methods and frequency of tests. The employees involved in the DRP must also be tested to gauge their responsiveness. The latest test determines how well your system will respond in an actual disaster and any issues discovered can be rectified on time.

Recovery Goals

Recovery goals differ from one organization to another.  You must access, identify, and take inventory of critical IT assets. Then, a maximum outage time and extent of recovery should be determined.

The recovery time objective (RTO) is the acceptable maximum time after recovery that a business must recover its files from backup. It is also a time for a company to resume normal operations. The maximum age of files that need to be recovered from backup is the recovery point objective (RPO).

Critical Documentation

An effective disaster recovery plan must contain contact information for recovery team members and personnel. Also, the list of software, their license keys, and the system to be used in the recovery process should be documented. Technical documentation of recovery technology from vendors are also key to a successful recovery. Business disaster requires financial, legal and media responses and should be part of an effective DRP. IT support companies can help you determine the critical documentation that you need for your disaster recovery plan.

Educate Staff

A disaster recovery plan without employees’ contribution is incomplete. All staff from top management to maintenance should be taught about the plans. In addition, the plan should be incorporated into your organization’s operation and staff training so all employees can become familiar with it.

Employees should be trained on how to put the plan into action by spelling out their roles and responsibilities in the event of a disaster. Training should be updated as much as the plan and all new employees simulated drills

Rapid Response

An effective DRP must be easy to implement for rapid recovery from any disaster. Time is critical in disaster recovery, the plan must be concise but detailed enough. Ask yourself if there is anything in the current plan that may jeopardize the timely implementation of the plan. Copies of the plan should be sent to offsite locations for backup and easy access.

Secondary Location

A disaster may render your office unreachable. This means your employee needs a secondary site with the right infrastructure, space and communication system to carry out business activities. Such a site should be part of your DRP.

Ensure Compliance

If you operate in a regulated industry such as health and food processing, you must take all regulations into consideration even while operating in alternate sites due to a disaster. If you handle sensitive information, ensure that your plan layout procedures for handling it and preventing loss or compromise.

It is good to have a disaster recovery plan but an effective DRP is better. There are a lot of factors which goes into having an effective recovery plan and it will be challenging for your business to fully implement them due to lack of time or expertise. Outsourced IT companies are a great source of support and can help your business craft and create a solid recovery plan that will give you a peace of mind. Please feel free to contact SDTEK with any questions about putting together a secure disaster recovery plan for your business.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.