Is Your Business Continuity Plan Doomed to Fail?

A business continuity plan isn't perfect. Each strategy comes with its own set of risks that may cause your business failure if not considered carefully from the beginning. Don't blame it all on MSPs; sometimes, systems' designs have loopholes from the start. Here we'll take a look at some common reasons why business continuity planning doesn't succeed.

The first test run is often the most important because it allows MSPs to identify potential pain points in their recovery plans. They usually test their systems in full before launching them, instead of testing in phases. This can lead MSPs to overlook certain aspects, as they're overwhelmed by so many different factors.

MSPs provide remote user licenses for businesses so that their employees can access remote desktop applications when needed, like during disasters. However, A service provider may only have a certain number of licenses available for use. Sometimes, more employees will require access to the remote desktop service than a single company's license can allow.

If an employee needs access to the company's remote system during a disaster, he or she will typically need his or her digital ID card to be able to log into the system. Desktop backup software doesn't automatically save digital IDs. When an employee uses their "ready and restored" desktop, they cannot use the system with their previous digital ID.

Many MSPs use email to notify and communicate with business owners or their employees when a disaster occurs. However, this type of communication may not always work reliably in some cases, such as when spammers attack your site.

You can instead use emergency communications apps such as AlertMe or Everbridge. These automated systems help companies send out mass notifications, share information, and mobilize teams to prevent operational disruptions. So your MSP can easily inform you in case of any emergency.

Once a system has been restored after an incident, IT technicians and business managers must ensure that the restoration was thorough and complete. It becomes difficult to compare logs if they're not easily comparable. When MSPs use backup applications that don’t include their own logging capabilities and must be purchased separately, they often run into issues.

Here are just some reasons why Business Continuity Plans fail. While you should trust that your MSPs will secure your systems, it is important for business owners to be involved with any process that pertains to your IT infrastructure. Just because you think something works doesn't necessarily make it true. If you have any questions regarding your business continuity plans, contact us today.