Business Continuity Archives - 247 IT Services https://247it.services/tag/business-continuity/ IT Service Company Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:39:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://247it.services/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Logo-alone-150x150.png Business Continuity Archives - 247 IT Services https://247it.services/tag/business-continuity/ 32 32 How to Bounce Back From Business Continuity Failure https://247it.services/how-to-bounce-back-from-business-continuity-failure/ Tue, 03 Sep 2024 09:39:47 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2929 Business continuity planning is vital for any organisation, as it is the one tool that you can use to ensure that your business operations can continue during and after a disruptive event. However, even the most comprehensive business continuity plans (also known as BCPs) can fail under certain circumstances, leaving businesses vulnerable. For companies in […]

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Business continuity planning is vital for any organisation, as it is the one tool that you can use to ensure that your business operations can continue during and after a disruptive event.

However, even the most comprehensive business continuity plans (also known as BCPs) can fail under certain circumstances, leaving businesses vulnerable.

For companies in the UK, understanding how to recover from such failures is just another part of the business continuity planning process, especially in an era where cyber threats and natural disasters are on the rise and becoming increasingly more sophisticated.

Understanding Business Continuity Failure

Business continuity failure occurs when a company’s BCP is either insufficient to address a crisis or is entirely non-functional during a critical event. This can lead to extended downtime, financial loss, and damage to the company’s reputation.

But failure isn’t actually the end, instead how a business responds to the failure of its plan can determine how it comes out of the disaster and how it moves forward.

One of the stand-out examples of a business continuity plan gone totally wrong is the 2021 ransomware attack on Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE).

Despite having fairly tough cyber security protocols in place, the HSE was wholly unprepared for the sheer scale of the Conti ransomware attack.

The system-wide breach forced the HSE to shut down essential services, from its outpatient clinics to its payroll system, affecting some 146 000 healthcare workers. It took three months to fully restore operations but as a result, the failure showed the need for the HSE to create an even tougher and far more adaptable continuity plan, one that could, going forward, handle even the worst kinds of unexpected threats.

Simple Steps to Bounce Back from Failure

Recovering from a business continuity failure involves more than just getting back to business as usual.

It requires a strategic approach to mitigate the damage, restore operations, and strengthen resilience against future threats. If this is a situation your company currently faces, or if you just want to cover all your bases, this is how to bounce back.

  • Assess the Damage Quickly and Thoroughly

The first step in bouncing back is to conduct a thorough assessment of the damage.

This involves identifying what went wrong with the BCP, what systems were affected, and the immediate impact on operations. For the HSE, this meant inspecting over 2 000 IT systems and shutting down more than 85 000 computers to contain the ransomware.

A swift, comprehensive damage assessment enables businesses to prioritise recovery efforts and allocate their resources effectively.

  • Communicate Transparently with Stakeholders

Transparent communication with stakeholders, whether they are employees, customers, or partners, is critical during a recovery.

In the case of the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which was hit by the Globe2 ransomware in 2016, the lack of an effective BCP led to the shutdown of hospitals and the disruption of care for over 2 800 patients, with patients, including women in labour, being turned away.

Clear communication about the situation and steps being taken to rectify it would have been essential in maintaining trust and managing expectations during the crisis.

  • Take Advantage of Technology for Recovery

Technology can be both a vulnerability and a saviour in business continuity.

When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017, Gaille Media’s physical office space became unusable.

However, thanks to a forward-thinking BCP that used cloud-based operations, Gaille Media’s team was able to work remotely without any disruption to their services.

Using cloud technology, remote working solutions, and data backups can significantly speed up your recovery times and ensure business continuity even when the physical infrastructure is compromised.

  • Revise and Strengthen the BCP

After stabilising operations, it’s important to revisit and revise your BCP.

The shortcomings revealed during a crisis should be addressed, and the plan should then be updated to prevent similar failures in the future.

This continuous improvement approach ensures that your business is better prepared for the next unforeseen event.

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If you take anything from this blog, it’s this: Don’t wait for a crisis to strike.

Contact 24/7 IT Services today to ensure your business is resilient against any challenge by letting us help you with your business continuity plan. We also provide managed IT support and IT security solutions.

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How to Avoid a Business Calamity during a Network Disruption https://247it.services/how-to-avoid-a-business-calamity-during-a-network-disruption/ https://247it.services/how-to-avoid-a-business-calamity-during-a-network-disruption/#respond Tue, 05 Mar 2024 07:36:29 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2896 Consistent and reliable communication is the lifeblood of just about all modern businesses. But these days, circumstances like network outages are disrupting this vital flow and this can potentially affect your business operations. Recently, widespread network outages in the USA have been grabbing headlines, and while the news can seem a bit unnerving, it is […]

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Consistent and reliable communication is the lifeblood of just about all modern businesses. But these days, circumstances like network outages are disrupting this vital flow and this can potentially affect your business operations.

Recently, widespread network outages in the USA have been grabbing headlines, and while the news can seem a bit unnerving, it is a stark reminder of the importance of having a trusty communication contingency plan in place.

Even a brief network outage can significantly disrupt business as well as personal lives, and emergency response efforts.

But when you have a well-defined backup communication plan, which may include making use of offline messaging apps, designated radio channels, or even printed materials, your planning can ensure that information and work continues to flow during periods of network disruption, and that your company experiences minimal downtime.

The Devastating Impact of Network Outages

Network outages not only affect business communication, instead, they can have a far reaching effect on your company’s overall operations.

Loss of productivity is one of the biggest issues with network outages. If you have a number of branches and your network goes down, your employees may be unable to access essential resources or collaborate effectively, hindering progress and deadlines.

Disrupted communication can lead to frustrated customers and this can potentially damage your brand reputation, not to mention that if it is just your network that has gone offline, your clients might just choose to spend their money elsewhere, at a company that is fully operational.

And the most detrimental effect of an outage is naturally going to be the lost revenue, especially for businesses reliant on online transactions or remote operations.

Strategies for Effective Communication during Disruptions

The best way to stay ahead is to consider every possible scenario and to have a plan for it. This can be included in your business continuity plan’s communication section, and it is worth implementing some of these strategies before rather than after you are faced with a network issue. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Invest in a Reliable VoIP System

A cloud-based VoIP system offers several advantages during network outages. Unlike traditional phone lines, which can be affected by local network disruptions, VoIP calls can be rerouted with little to no effort to alternative endpoints in another location. This ensures your business remains accessible even when the primary network is down.

  • Implement Alternatives

Having alternative communication channels available in case of a primary network outage, can be a business saver. Some reliable alternatives could include:

  • Additional Mobile Phone Networks
  • SMS Services
  • Secondary Internet Connections
  • Develop a Communication Plan

Having a clear communication plan in place will help you stay calm while also helping you to respond effectively during network disruptions. This plan should include:

  • Designated Communication Channels: Decide on your preferred communication channels during an outage, such as SMS, social media, internal messaging platforms, or a designated backup phone line.
  • Communication Hierarchy: Clearly state who is responsible for communicating updates to different stakeholders, such as employees, customers, and partners (this will prevent the waters from muddling).
  • Communication Protocols: Set up clear guidelines for the content and frequency of communication during disruptions (this is important if your business operates in a communication heavy industry such as finance).
  • Regularly Test and Update your Plan

Don’t wait for a crisis to test your plans. You should be regularly conducting simulated scenarios to identify potential weaknesses and to refine your strategies. You should also keep your communication plan updated to reflect any changes in your technology or business structure.

And if you don’t have certain things in place, like a VoIP system or alternative networks, now is the time to invest in such additional features.

* At 24/7 IT Services, we can help you plan for any IT or network calamity though our business continuity, networking and VoIP solutions. Contact us today for more information.

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Future-Proof your Business with these 2024 Business Continuity Trends https://247it.services/future-proof-your-business-with-these-2024-business-continuity-trends/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 05:56:43 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2858 time, effort, passion and money into making your business a success. But all it takes is one crisis, whether it is a hacking event or just a hardware malfunction, to greatly set you back. As data becomes more and more important for all kinds of businesses, from the biggest corporations down to the one man […]

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time, effort, passion and money into making your business a success. But all it takes is one crisis, whether it is a hacking event or just a hardware malfunction, to greatly set you back.

As data becomes more and more important for all kinds of businesses, from the biggest corporations down to the one man enterprise, so has the necessity of having a working, easily accessible and highly reliable business continuity plan.

Now that we are on the cusp of the New Year, and as businesses around the country are starting to look for better ways to keep operations running smoothly once everyone is back at the office in January, now is the best time to have a look at some of the 2024 Business Continuity trends

Having a disaster recovery plan, one that is specifically tailored to your business needs, is a non-negotiable necessity in this data driven era. To ensure that your business is up to date with all of the latest business continuity developments, these are some of the trends to be aware of, and to try out, in 2024.

  1. AI And Machine Learning Will Improve (Almost) Everything

We might as well put AI right at the top at the list of trends. This technology is not going anywhere; in fact it is fast tracking tech developments of all kinds, including those in the world of business continuity solutions.

In 2024, AI and Machine Learning are set to be used to make business continuity plans more resilient and a lot more focused. Other ways that this tech will influence business continuity plans include:

  • Assisting businesses to identify potential business disruptions and fully automate the recovery process by using predictive analytics.
  • Improved security using blockchain technology and by assisting existing cyber security measures.
  • And, using the Internet of Things will give businesses the ability to monitor their data in real time.
  • Cloud Based Solutions Will Be The Most Sought-After

Cloud Based technology is already widely adopted by companies. When used for business continuity, such a system allows for the immediate recovery of data, allowing businesses to carry on as usual. As we go into 2024, Cloud Base Solutions will allow for more flexibility and scalability, they will become cheaper, they will remove the need for physical data centres in various locations, and they will enable a faster recovery.

  • Supply Chain Diversity Is Going To Become More Important

Supply chains have become more fragile since the pandemic of 2020, and for some companies this means supply chain diversity is something that needs to be included in their business continuity plan.

Companies should not only find a variety of suppliers to suit their requirements, but they should also consider using localised production. And the list of suppliers should be backed up and protected by the business continuity plan, to ensure that this vital information is never lost.

To make the supply chain even more robust, companies can consider partnering up with suppliers in their industry, and create a separate business continuity plan that solely protects the supply chain.

Tips For Preparing Your Business Continuity Plan in 2024

Preparing for the future means anticipating the things that could go wrong and then planning a system around the disaster. As you work on your business continuity plan for 2024, here are some tips that you should keep in mind.

  1. Cyber-attacks are constantly evolving as technology advances and hackers find new and creative ways to steal. Always stay up to date with the latest threats (or work with an IT company that can do that for you).
  2. Don’t make your plan too complex as this can have the opposite effect, and leave your company vulnerable to problems (too many layers can create gaps that you don’t see).
  3. Move with the times. Your current system might work well, but technology is advancing all the time and there might be something out there that is cheaper and more effective.

Need assistance? 24/7 IT Services can help your business get ready for 2024. Along with offering companies create effective business continuity plans, we also assist with cyber security solutions and managed IT support. Contact us today for a consultation.

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Why you need a Cloud-Based Disaster Recovery Solution https://247it.services/why-you-need-a-cloud-based-disaster-recovery-solution/ Wed, 06 Dec 2023 07:23:27 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2854 The disaster recovery solution is an integral part of your business continuity plan. While your business continuity plan refers to the overall system that you should have in place should the worst happen, it is your disaster recovery solution that you will rely on when you need your business data to be recovered. Of all […]

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The disaster recovery solution is an integral part of your business continuity plan.

While your business continuity plan refers to the overall system that you should have in place should the worst happen, it is your disaster recovery solution that you will rely on when you need your business data to be recovered.

Of all the disaster recovery solutions you could create, having a Cloud-based one is the most effective.

Compared to the more traditional disaster recovery solutions, such as manual data processing and off-site storage, creating work area recovery sites, and the good old hardcopy backup and restore option, a Cloud-based disaster recovery is much more seamless and accessible.

The Benefits of Cloud-Based Disaster Recovery Solutions

With so much business being done online these days, it makes sense that one of your main disaster recovery solutions is a Cloud-based one. The Cloud has completely changed the way that we can store our data, and when it comes to your disaster recovery plans, the Cloud is an invaluable tool that comes with many helpful benefits, such as:

  1. There is minimal infrastructure involved

The brilliant thing about the Cloud is that it is all virtual, which means you are not going to have to make a single investment in additional infrastructure. All you need is an appropriate Cloud storage account, one big enough to store all of your data.

  1. The solution is expandable

Companies grow and so should any sort of recovery system you have in place. When you have one of the more traditional disaster recovery solutions, you will find that they are not necessarily as scalable as the Cloud option. If you want to expand a more traditional system, you will possibly be paying out a lot more money and putting in a lot more effort. When you are working with a Cloud option, you can expand your plan in a more affordable, effortless way.

  1. The recovery system is easily accessible

Since the Cloud, no matter which option you go with, is virtually hosted, it will be accessible no matter where you are, so long as you have an internet connection and a computer. You could even access it from your phone. This accessibility, since it is instant, also means there is minimal downtime when a disaster happens. There is no driving off-site to collect hardware and no need to connect complicated systems. And even if the web is down in your office, you can always use a different method, such as creating a mobile hotspot,to connect to the web and access your data.

The Key Features of Cloud-Based Disaster Recovery Solutions

What makes your Cloud-based disaster recovery solution so effective is the set of features that it comes with, which are often designed to create data resilience and to also speed up the recovery process, so that your recovery can be done in minutes rather than hours or days.

Some Cloud-data solutions come with an automated backup which removes the need for human hands to be involved. Instead of having to manually do things, your automated system will regularly create backups of your data.  This will also reduce the risk of some data being left out of the backup.

Another key feature to look out for is real-time data backups. As the data is created within the company, a copy is made and saved to the Cloud. This ensures that should you need to access the data, it will be the most up-to-date information.

Finally, the Cloud-based disaster recovery solution should include a failover. This feature will create an additional layer of protection and it is usually achieved by the automatic redirection of traffic and operations to a backup system. This backup is used to protect against losses should the data fail to upload to the main Cloud system.

The Cloud is an invaluable solution for any data recovery plan.

If you are looking for an expert to help you create a business continuity plan with a reliable disaster recovery solution, let 24/7 IT Services help you. We offer various other IT services, including cyber security solutions.

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2024’s Business Tech Trends to Prepare for Now https://247it.services/2024s-business-tech-trends-to-prepare-for-now/ Thu, 30 Nov 2023 11:58:36 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2851 There are just over 50 days left until we bid farewell to 2023 and while your mind is probably more focused on the upcoming Festive holiday season, now is actually the perfect time to start planning for the 2024 business year. 2023 set a standard in many ways. It opened many eyes to the new […]

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There are just over 50 days left until we bid farewell to 2023 and while your mind is probably more focused on the upcoming Festive holiday season, now is actually the perfect time to start planning for the 2024 business year.

2023 set a standard in many ways.

It opened many eyes to the new realities of the world, and just how important it is to stay ahead in cyber security; while it also showed us just how important it is to stay in the know when it comes to tech advances, and how valuable it is to make the most of tech trends.

If 2023 is any indication of how the upcoming year will go, businesses and individuals alike will have a lot to look forward to and a lot to prepare for.

To help you start your 2024 planning, these are the tech trends, according to Forbes and Gartner that you need to know now.

  1. Tackling Technical Debt

Within any business, after years of being in operation, there is bound to be an accumulation of technical debt (having too many programmes doing the same thin). De-cluttering, and making a more complex setup simpler, is going to be one of the big trends in the new year, if only because there are so many fantastic programmes out there these days that have been merged and improved to streamline production and productivity.

  • Preparing Staff for AI

In 2023, you could hardly open a publication without seeing some article or other about AI. This technology, while in development for years, has only this year really exploded into the public eye as it became more accessible to the everyday person. It is safe to say that AI is not going to go anywhere and if the past year is anything to go by, 2024 is going to be another big AI year and one that businesses need to prepare their staff for, as AI will start disrupting (hopefully in a positive way) every day offices.

  • Investing in AI and Machine Learning

Just about all modern tech is in one way or another leaning on and being improved by AI and Machine Learning. If you want to really help your company stay ahead of the game, and to really benefit from these rapid tech advancements, this coming year should be the one that you invest some of your budget into this technology.

  • Make Reliability and Scalability a Priority

Having business systems set up that are reliable and easy to scale are definitely going to be high up on the business tech trend list. If you have been neglecting your business continuity plan or if your current systems are going to be unable to support the growth of your company, a new year is a good time to put in the work to improve what you have.

  • Making the most of Data

Data is as big an investment as the finances you have to grow your business. Work with your data the right way and it can become the instrumental tool you’ve always needed. In years past, sorting through data to find important and useful information was a bit of a chore, but in the coming year, with AI assisted technology, businesses like yours will be at a huge advantage when it comes to making the most of data through easier analysis.

  • Protecting Data

There were plenty of reasons to improve cyber security this year, and next year will come with new threats and new reasons to analyse your cyber security setup. Before the New Year begins, it will be worth your time to put in the effort to identify gaps in your online security, and it might also be a good time to contact an IT company to find out how they can assist you in that area.

  • An Augmented-Connected Team

According to Gartner, there is a belief that by using employee analytics and intelligent applications, companies will be in a better position to bridge any skills shortage gap through improved employee support, guidance and training. By doing, this any company can become more adaptable and more flexible, as employees will be able to take on various roles as needed. If you need assistance with anything IT related, now or in the New Year, 24/7 IT Services can help you out. Along with being IT experts, we also offer cyber security assistance, business continuity plan setups, and more.

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Testing your business continuity plan: Why it’s important and how to do it right https://247it.services/testing-your-business-continuity-plan-why-its-important-and-how-to-do-it-right/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2827 The days of winging your data security are over. With just about all of your business being conducted online in one way or another, and with so much of your data stored online, it only takes one attack or system breakdown to close your doors. It might sound like we are being a little dramatic, […]

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The days of winging your data security are over.

With just about all of your business being conducted online in one way or another, and with so much of your data stored online, it only takes one attack or system breakdown to close your doors. It might sound like we are being a little dramatic, but this is the reality of most modern business.

The good news is that all of this can be avoided if you have a concrete business continuity plan, one that you have properly thought out and taken the time to test.

The Significance of Testing Your BCP

No business is safe until it has a business continue plan in place.

A business continuity plan that hasn’t been tested carries a lot of risk because you only need a business continuity plan to be effective once the worst has happened. Everything you do up to the point of needing the plan to kick in is preparation.

The potential consequences of not testing a business continuity plan can be dire, especially for smaller businesses already functioning on limited resources. Some of these consequences include financial losses, reputational damage when important data is leaked, and legal or regulatory implications that no company wants to have to face.

The regular testing of your plan will ensure that should something unforeseen happen, the plan will keep your business protected and operational.

One example of a big upset due to less than perfect business continuity preparations is when the Irish Healthcare system experienced a brutal ransom ware attack back in 2021. With luck, the IT team was able to stop the attack before things got really nasty, but not before over $100 million worth of damage was done.

The Types of Business Continuity Plan Testing

Just as there are various types of business continuity plans, there is also more than one way to test a plan.

The most common types of business continuity plan testing include tabletop exercises, functional testing, and full scale testing.

  1. Tabletop Exercises

This testing involves the various stakeholders coming together to discuss a hypothetical situation with or without implementing the expected responses as laid out in the plan. This sort of testing is ideal when new people are getting involved and when the plan needs to be reviewed. Some of the benefits of tabletop testing include promotion of communication and teamwork, finding potential gaps, and assessing how familiar the team is with the plan.

  •  Functional Testing

With functional testing, the teams and departments included in the plan will actually do what the plan states during a scenario simulation. The purpose of this kind of testing is that it gives you the chance to test whether or not the plan is going to be practical enough to work. Some of the benefits include seeing how functional the plan is, identifying possible issues, and giving the team some hands on experience.

  • Full Scale Testing

This process is the most in depth and it puts the team into a real life situation that requires the full implementation of the plan. This sort of testing should be done on an annual basis to really check if the plan will work as intended. The benefits of doing full scale testing include real life assessments of effectiveness, identifying where improvements can be made, and observing how the team and the plan respond to the crisis.

How to Properly Test Your Business Continuity Plan

To ensure the proper testing of your plan, following a structured approach is necessary.

You can begin by developing a clear testing plan that outlines the entire process and then define the objectives and scope of the test, by specifying what you aim to achieve and which aspects of the plan you’ll evaluate.

You will need to assemble a dedicated team with well-defined roles and responsibilities. The team should be the same people who would be involved in a real life scenario.

After that the fun begins, as you will simulate real-world scenarios, including natural disasters, cyber-attacks, and supply chain disruptions, to gauge the plan’s effectiveness.

Throughout the testing process, the communication and coordination among team members to replicate real-life crisis management needs to be scrutinised as this will be an important part of the plan’s success.

After completing the test, the collective team should thoroughly evaluate the results to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.

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A big part of business continuity plans relies on having effective IT structures in place, including data backups. At 24/7 IT Services in London, our team specialises in creating unique and effective business continuity plans. You can contact us today for more information.

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The Role of Cloud Computing in Business Continuity https://247it.services/the-role-of-cloud-computing-in-business-continuity/ Tue, 15 Aug 2023 07:20:30 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2814 Business continuity is the practice of putting in place a plan, with actions, for any kind of otherwise disastrous business related eventuality. To be more specific, business continuity is what every business should have in order to stay fully functional during a time of crisis, no matter if it is a natural disaster or an […]

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Business continuity is the practice of putting in place a plan, with actions, for any kind of otherwise disastrous business related eventuality. To be more specific, business continuity is what every business should have in order to stay fully functional during a time of crisis, no matter if it is a natural disaster or an unfortunate hacking incident.

These days, business continuity plays an ever more important role in the business world.

Since so much of our working lives is conducted online, it makes sense that our backup and protection plans should also be online, if only partly.

Cloud computing has become one of the most useful systems for businesses. Not only does using a Cloud computing system minimise the amount of hardware the company needs to invest in, but it also allows those doing the work to take the tasks with them wherever they go. The benefits of using the Cloud also extend to business continuity plan.

How Cloud Computing Enhances Business Continuity

With Cloud computing being used as a part of your business continuity plan, the sky is the limit when it comes to the kinds of plans as well as the kind of backup system that you can have in place for the worst case scenario.

Here’s just a few ways in which Cloud computing can save your company during a time of crisis:

It Provides Remote Access and Workforce Continuity

During a crisis that forces the team to leave their offices and work from a new location, having a Cloud based business continuity plan in place will ensure that the team can still collaborate remotely and get through the daily tasks. This is made possible only when the company has efficiently backed up its data to the Cloud.

It Protects through Data Redundancy

Data redundancy is the practice of storing data in two different places. The idea is that if the data is compromised in one location, the second version will still be there. Cloud computing is quite an excellent option for data redundancy, mostly because it is always available.

It has Exceptional Disaster Recovery Capabilities

Saving data during a crisis is not the only benefit associated with having a Cloud based business continuity plan. Being able to reduce the downtime and enjoy a swift recovery is also associated with this form of data backup.

Cloud Security and Business Continuity

No backup systems are without their challenges. Having a healthy worry about the security of your Cloud based business continuity plan is natural, and also easy to assuage.

Data breaches, unauthorised access and other types of vulnerabilities are usually the main concerns when it comes to Cloud security.

This is where having a Cloud provider is actually the best choice, when compared to trusting your business data to a free Cloud system, such as Google Drive.

Cloud providers are able to implement various tough security measures to give the company’s data additional protection. These providers will often make use of advanced data encryption, identity and access management, and they will have strong role-based controls. The Cloud provider will also use a variety of firewalls, which are guaranteed to stop any would be hackers in their tracks.

Along with all of this intense security, most of the best types of Cloud providers will offer their clients data backups as well as a complete disaster recovery solution.

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Your business continuity setup is the one aspect of your business that should not be ignored. At 24/7 IT Services we can assist you with a variety of solutions, such as IT Security, Managed IT Support, and Business Continuity. Contact us today to get a quote or to book a consultation.

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2023’s Best Anti-Virus Software for Small Businesses https://247it.services/2023s-best-anti-virus-software-for-small-businesses/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2803 While large corporations often make headlines when they fall victim to data breaches, small businesses are just as vulnerable, if not more so, due to limited resources and lack of knowledge when it comes to cybersecurity measures. The consequences of a cyber-attack can be devastating for small businesses, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and […]

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While large corporations often make headlines when they fall victim to data breaches, small businesses are just as vulnerable, if not more so, due to limited resources and lack of knowledge when it comes to cybersecurity measures. The consequences of a cyber-attack can be devastating for small businesses, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and even the closure of operations.

Understanding the importance of cybersecurity is paramount for small businesses in order to safeguard sensitive data, protect customer trust, and ensure business continuity.

Although in the past small businesses had a limited number of options available to them, these days there is a wide variety of anti-virus software programmes to choose from, many of which are either free or at the very least really affordable.

Aside from investing in a reliable anti-virus programme, you can also get assistance from an IT company.

When working with such a company, not only will they set you up with the latest IT security technology, but given their expertise, they should be able to analyse your unique cybersecurity needs and then come up with a complete plan to keep you protected.

But your most important frontline defence is going to be an anti-virus programme and in 2023, these are some of the best for small businesses.

Avast Small Business Solutions

Avast is a name that is quite popular in the industry, because it is so reliable and because it is a good choice for small businesses. Currently, Avast is the second biggest market shareholder when it comes to malware programmes, and it is adaptable enough to be more than suitable for smaller companies looking for an affordable solution to their cybersecurity problems.

Suitable for all kinds of PCs, Laptops and Servers, and really easy to install and to use, Avast just about always gets a high score in user reviews.

AVG Business

AVG (which is a subsidiary of Avast) is another excellent anti-virus programme. This software neatly stops malware attacks and it does an excellent job at protecting privacy. What’s also great about this anti-virus programme is that it doesn’t slow down other systems as it does its work. AVG secures networks using AI and real-time analytics, and stops new threats in their tracks.

AVG scores highly on both user and industry ratings and it also has remote management options, making it perfect for small on the go businesses.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security

Bitdefender is used globally and is to currently protecting over 500 million systems. With its GravityZone Business Security option, Bitdefender has gone to the next level for small businesses by offering cybersecurity admins a Cloud-based interface from which they can manage their servers, track potential cyber issues and it gives them their own workstation.

This anti-virus programme is updated using machine learning as well as advanced AI. Along with its modern features and ease of use, Bitdefender also enjoys a high score among users.

Norton Small Business

Norton is another global anti-virus programme worth considering if you are a small business owner. The brand offers a variety of security product packages, most of which are focused on device and identity security, privacy, and various sought-after consumer solutions. One Norton license is designed to protect up to 20 devices at a time and with Cloud-based setup and device management, users can quickly and easily install and use the software. The software also has a remote access option, ideal for small business owners.

The software is easily expandable, which allows businesses to add more devices as needed. Norton also scores favourable review among users.

ESET Endpoint Security

Known for being effective and lightweight, this sophisticated cybersecurity programme is perfect for companies of all sizes and with its Cloud-based solutions it provides users with a multi-layered approach to online defence. ESET Endpoint Security can be used on various devices including mobile phones, and it consistently monitors and evaluates the systems it protects as it searches for malicious attacks.

ESET Endpoint Security is known for its outstanding detection rate and with the options of browser security, endpoint management, and automatic updates, this programme effortlessly earns its exceptional reviews.

* Need a cybersecurity plan? Or maybe you just need help with its execution? At 24/7 IT Services, our team of cybersecurity professionals can provide you with a customised security plan and they can suggest the best anti-virus software for your small business. Contact us today for more information.

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Rethinking Business Continuity https://247it.services/rethinking-business-continuity/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://247it.services/?p=2669 Technology and the various software programmes which have been introduced over the years have made businesses function more smoothly and more efficiently. But without the right kind of forward planning, when such software crashes, it can cause any business to come to a halt. Having a business continuity plan in place is of utmost importance […]

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Technology and the various software programmes which have been introduced over the years have made businesses function more smoothly and more efficiently. But without the right kind of forward planning, when such software crashes, it can cause any business to come to a halt.

Having a business continuity plan in place is of utmost importance in this modern world, and yet most companies don’t think about what could happen when software is not available or not functioning just as it should.

Business continuity can take on many forms.

In the IT world, business continuity focuses on the various Microsoft programmes, including Outlook and the other Office 365 software which is used in just about every business environment in the world, as well as the creation of data through the use of these programmes.

One example of how having business continuity can prove to be essential is the recent Microsoft Outlook Email crash. In 2022, Outlook clients all over the world experienced a massive email crash which effectively rendered them unable to send and receive emails. Had these businesses included a business continuity plan with an email continuity plan in their IT setup, they could have avoided the crisis and the frustration.

What is business continuity?

Business continuity is a company’s ability to stay fully functional during a time of crisis. Such a plan puts a risk management solution in place and the goal is to both keep the business operations going and to re-establish the normal running of the organisation as fast as possible. The plan is also designed to minimise the fallout from the crash, such as the loss of data.

In a nutshell, business continuity exists to prevent a company from losing profits due to an unexpected crisis. These sorts of plans take into consideration a variety of possible scenarios, including natural disasters, cyber-attacks and other threats, such as software bombing out.

Our Approach to Business Continuity

Since software is such a critical aspect of any business, you need to make sure that the software you are using has a failsafe in place to prevent a minor mishap from becoming a costly expense. Usually these kinds of crisis systems are best left to the capable hands of a professional IT team, like us at 24/7 IT Services, who both understand what it is that a company needs from their business continuity plan and who know how to create and implement such a plan.

With our approach to business continuity, we create both remote and an onsite options, ensuring that if the one option fails to work, there is a backup. Having such a backup is going to be invaluable to a business when things unexpectedly go wrong, and with our data backups in place our clients are able to carry on with their work as usual.

Our business continuity plans can be seamlessly integrated into any type of business and our systems are both safe and reliable. We offer 24/7 backup support, and a fast and efficient recovery process.

The Benefits of having Business Continuity

The most obvious benefit is that business continuity will prevent your business from having to close when a crisis occurs. But there are benefits beyond that, which include:

  • A Boost in Employee Moral

With a well-managed system in place, employees will feel they are being taken care of and that they are able to continue with their work without interruption.

  • Protecting the Reputation of the Business

Time is money and reputation is everything, so if you have to suddenly stop working and you are unable to take care of your client’s needs, your business’ reputation can be badly damaged.

  • Protecting Data

When systems suddenly shut down unexpectedly, data can be easily lost and not as easily recovered, unless there is a business continuity system in place.

* At 24/7 IT Services we go above and beyond to assist our growing list of business clients with their IT needs, and one of our services is the provision of business continuity plans. For more information, you can contact our team today.

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