Business Continuity

GNL Enterprises LLP:  Keeping your business operational

When we talk about "business continuity posture," we are essentially referring to an organization's ability to withstand disruptions and continue its critical operations without significant interruption.

Let's break down what each of their questions means in the context of business continuity:

• "In the event of data loss, can the missing or corrupted data be restored in a timely manner?" This question directly addresses data backup and recovery strategies. It probes:

  • Backup Frequency: How often is data backed up? Daily, hourly, continuously?

  • Recovery Point Objective (RPO): How much data can you afford to lose? (e.g., if you back up daily, you might lose up to 24 hours of data).

  • Recovery Time Objective (RTO): How quickly can you get your data back and operational after a loss? (e.g., minutes, hours, days).

  • Data Integrity: Are the backups reliable and can they actually be restored?

  • Testing: Are backup and restore procedures regularly tested?

• "Is your data universally accessible?" This points to data accessibility and availability, especially in disaster scenarios. It considers:

  • Cloud vs. On-Premise: Is data stored locally or in a cloud environment that offers greater accessibility from various locations?

  • Remote Access: Can employees access necessary data and applications from outside the primary office location?

  • Redundancy: Is data replicated across multiple locations or servers to ensure availability even if one goes down?

  • Network Connectivity: Do you have resilient network infrastructure to ensure continuous access?

• "In the event of a building catastrophe, Fire, Tornado, Flood or Theft can the business continue to operate?" This is the core of disaster recovery planning (DRP) and focuses on the physical and environmental aspects of business continuity. It asks:

  • Alternative Work Locations: Do you have a plan for where employees will work if the primary office is inaccessible (e.g., remote work, secondary office, co-working space)?

  • IT Infrastructure Recovery: How quickly can essential IT systems (servers, networks, applications) be brought back online in an alternative location?

  • Hardware Replacement/Provisioning: Do you have a plan for replacing damaged hardware or quickly setting up new equipment?

  • Communication: How will you communicate with staff, customers, and suppliers during a crisis?

  • Supply Chain Resilience: Are your critical suppliers also resilient to disruptions?

GNL Enterprises' recommendation for businesses to assess and answer these questions highlights the proactive nature of business continuity. It's not just about having a plan, but regularly reviewing, testing, and updating it to ensure it remains effective in the face of evolving threats and business needs.

Ultimately, the, "the ability for a business to stay connected and functional to staff and customers is a critical operation." A strong business continuity posture minimizes downtime, protects revenue, preserves reputation, and ensures the long-term viability of the business.