BEI Offers Tips for Minimizing the Digital Impact of a Disaster by Properly Backing Up and Restoring Data

Reston, Virginia, October 4, 2016 (Newswire.com) - During this time of year, many companies throughout the Metro DC area are thinking about what would happen to their business in the event of a storm. BEI, an IT services provider specializing in helping organizations make technology more affordable, efficient and secure, is offering advice to small and medium-sized businesses regarding best practices for backing up important data and recovering it after a disaster—natural or manmade. Additionally, the company is providing complimentary backup and recovery assessments to companies throughout the Metro DC area to help them prepare.

According to Ellen Jennings, CEO at BEI, “Here in Virginia, storms are a serious concern. Organizations need to be prepared, and that includes ensuring their data is properly backed-up to an off-site location and that there’s a plan in place for restoring that data after the storm. Our goal is to help companies put a plan in place so they can get back up and running as quickly as possible.”

Even if you don't feel particularly threatened by a storm, it's essential to have a what-if plan.

Ellen Jennings, CEO

BEI’s Advice for Backup and Recovery in the Event of a Storm

1.     Think About Your Business Needs

When it comes to your technology infrastructure, there’s a great deal to think about—networks, servers, workstations, databases, applications and proprietary data, just to name a few. When it comes to IT, you should base your priorities for safeguarding and recovering equipment and data on your specific business. If hardware is more essential than data, then relocating equipment to a safe location should be your priority. If access to customer or other vital data is essential, then your priority should be on having a backup (preferably off-site) to recover from afterward.  

2.     Talk to the Experts

Consulting with an IT services company—especially one that specializes in backup and recovery planning—can be a good idea, especially if a business doesn’t have dedicated IT personnel or a relatively small IT team. The IT consultant can identify potential weaknesses that may normally go overlooked and provide options for backing up data, as well as hosting servers and vital applications on a cloud-based platform to ensure seamless business continuity.

3.     Make a Plan … and Test It

After priorities are established for hardware, software and data, and an expert has been consulted regarding backup and recovery, a complete contingency plan should be created. Individual responsibilities for securing equipment and data must be identified, and training must be completed to ensure all tasks can be completed successfully. Once this is done, the business should run a “mock disaster” drill to find and fill any gaps, as well as ensure data backup and recovery goes smoothly.  

“Businesses of all sizes can benefit from taking precautions,” said Ellen Jennings. “Many of the same actions one would take after a storm are the same you would use if recovering from a system-wide failure, a manmade disaster, a freak accident or a cyber-attack. Even if you don’t feel particularly threatened by a storm, it’s essential to have a what-if plan.”

BEI is offering free disaster backup and recovery assessments through the end of October. For a small to medium-sized business or non-profit to qualify, they must be located within the Metro DC area and rely on computer systems for day-to-day operations. Qualifying organizations can sign up for their no-cost assessment online or call 703-528-8300.

About BEI

BEI is a managed service provider (MSP) that has been providing IT support to organizations in Metro DC since 1987. They offer premium IT services, cloud solutions and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses in several industries, including healthcare, government, engineering and architecture, non-profits and law firms. Some of the IT services include systems security, data and backup recovery, network and server management, IT strategy planning, Virtual CIO and more. As an award-winning Microsoft partner, BEI is operated by business professionals who have experience running technology firms and prides themselves on a very professional company. With a service desk located in Northern Virginia and staff throughout the Metro area, BEI is very responsive on a day-to-day basis, as well as when inevitable critical situations occur. For more information about BEI and its IT solutions, visit the company online or call 703-528-8300. Also, to get the latest industry news and trends, check out the company blog.

MEDIA CONTACT

Ellen Jennings

CEO, BEI

703-528-8300

Source: BEI