The difference between continuity and backup is akin to the difference between the pitcher and the whole baseball team. Backup is a part of continuity, but in the IT world of today, it is only a player and not the whole team. The problem is that backup is great if everything goes smoothly and according to plan. Does your business always go smoothly and according to plan? Mine neither! Because of this, you and I need much more than data backup. We need a continuity strategy.
You see, between hardware breakdown, data corruption, human error, and natural disasters there are plenty of things that have the potential of bringing our businesses to a grinding halt – possibly forever. With all of this at stake, now is the time for you to get into a true and comprehensive continuity plan.
Others have realized the need for this and are doing something about their company risk profile in relation to downtime. In fact, according to MarketsandMarkets, “The disaster recovery as a service market was valued at USD 8.8 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 23.5 billion over the next five years, registering a CAGR of 21.6%. The increased need for business continuity is one of the primary factors driving market growth.”
This means wise business owners are beginning to see that a continuity plan is a necessity; not an option.
After all, backup has been around for centuries…literally. Backup started in the 18th-century textile industry. They used paper tapes with punch holes to “back up” weaving patterns. Of course, backup has evolved in format, but in essence, backup is the same as it was centuries ago. Take information, store information.
Here is the problem. What you backed up an hour ago doesn’t protect the work you did ten minutes ago. You may have taken a big order for your online business or created a patient file for your practice, but in a moment it (and a lot of other work your staff is doing right now) can be GONE. That is why a 24×7 continuity plan is much MORE than a basic backup system.
Why Continuity?
When we think about continuity we have to think bigger than simply backing up data. We should consider what would happen if our customer or order files got corrupted. We have to think about how much money it would cost us if our e-commerce site crashed for an hour. What if a fire or flood took out the office? What would we do then?
Thinking about these questions leads a smart leader to begin to formulate answers and strategies. This is the beginning of a comprehensive continuity plan.
Your business more than likely needs continuity because:
- Everything that is digitized needs to be continuously mirrored (backed up) and accessible from anywhere.
- You have to ensure uptime. Downtime can cost you more than $7,000 per hour not including lost revenue!
- Compliance and adherence to regulatory mandates require a good continuity strategy.
A solid continuity strategy is a plan to keep going regardless of what tries to slow your business down. Having that plan in place allows customers a seamless experience, and prepares your employees to understand the procedure and their roles in the event of an interruption. A solid continuity plan takes into consideration contractual and legal obligations to clients and vendors alike. Making plans and preparations for these requirements ahead of time means that potential legal disputes can be completely avoided.
What Role Does the Cloud Play?
The job of the cloud in your continuity strategy is to mirror your data in real-time so that it is secure and can be accessed off-site in case the hardware or software at your business site is compromised. With cloud storage, continuity plans are more accessible and affordable than ever before. What was only available to the big players for a while is now available for small to medium-sized businesses.
When we talk about the cloud, there are basically three options:
- Public Cloud – This is a “parking space” that you rent from someone else for your data.
- Private Cloud – This is a parking lot that you own where you park your data. This option is more expensive but is used by those that have unique storage and compliance/regulatory requirements.
- Hybrid Cloud – This is a mix between public and private. It is a private parking lot where you park your data, but public services come in and wash and wax it there. (Read this: It is a private server where you store your data, but third-party public services are allowed communication and access.)
How Can Integris Help?
Integris is the company that can help you put together a solid continuity strategy and provide the services to implement that strategy. We offer both business continuity and disaster recovery services. We will gladly assess your needs and identify the right cloud strategy for your company. We have been successful in saving our clients from costly downtime. The expertise of Integris professionals will allow you to be available and accessible no matter what happens.
Schedule a free consultation if you have any questions about continuity and backup.
