An unplanned interruption in business processes leads to costly setbacks. According to a study, businesses can lose up to $5 million per hour in case of data loss events and operational disruptions. This shows that IT disasters are an unfortunate reality that should never be underestimated. If an organization does not have a disaster recovery and business continuity plan in place, they risk damaging its reputation and losing a customer base.
Some enterprises may establish an in-house dedicated disaster response team, but not every organization can go for such costly options. So how to avoid losing your valuable assets in the event of a disaster without investing in an in-house response team? Simply outsource your disaster recovery and business continuity planning to a managed IT support company. Let’s talk about managed IT services in detail and how opting for an MSP will be a lifesaver in the event of a disaster.
Disaster Recovery Strategy
Prioritizing your data assets is the most fundamental step of a business continuity plan. Oftentimes, business owners find it difficult to identify which parts of their processes are more crucial and need preference in disaster recovery systems. Here is where an MSP comes in.
They have industry expertise and experience to assist you in prioritizing your digital assets. In addition, they establish the recovery time objectives and ensure your business has resumed functioning within the set time frame.
What else? A managed service provider will also test the designed disaster recovery plan to ensure their effectiveness in times of disruption. By working with a managed IT service provider, you will get the expertise and resources required to adopt effective disaster recovery solutions.
Expert Support
Resiliency is at the core of a successful business. If your business is not flexible enough to adapt to the changing landscape, you won’t be able to sustain your presence for long. However, a resilient corporate system demands high-level expertise and tactics.
Luckily, IT-managed services are equipped with such solutions that enhance the resiliency of your business operations. Your service provider will control your software, hardware, and network to ensure your business is resilient enough to face unforeseen circumstances.
They deploy various disaster recovery methods to ensure your business meets the recovery time objective.
Specialized Tools & Resources
When you choose to invest in an in-house disaster response team, you have to purchase specialized tools and equipment. In contrast, MSPs are already equipped with specialized tools that ensure an effective disaster recovery system.
These resources include remote monitoring and management, data backup and recovery, and disaster recovery services. You won’t have to disturb your IT budget by purchasing these essential but expensive tools. Good thing you won’t have to bother about their maintenance or updates as well.
Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance
If you can identify a minor risk that can later turn into a big nuisance, you can avoid a disaster from happening in the first place.
So, does an MSP help in preventing a disaster? The answer is yes! They proactively monitor your network, applications, and IT infrastructure. This means they are capable of identifying an issue within your system or your disaster recovery plan.
This early detection can help you solve the issue immediately before it can cause any damage. In addition, MSPs avoid costly data loss by regularly updating and maintaining the system. Software updates, patch management, and disposal; an MSP takes a big maintenance burden off your shoulder so that you can focus on more productive tasks.
Industry Standards
MSPs have a deep understanding of industry standards. In addition, they are familiar with the intricate threat landscape, which allows them to diagnose threats instantly. With effective threat intelligence and robust response strategy, MSPs can help you meet regulatory compliance.
Besides, they can also provide an updated and robust digital solution framework that fuels an effective business continuity strategy.
Cybersecurity Services
The business cost of cyberattacks is expected to reach a whopping $10.5 trillion annually in 2025. This means the business continuity plan should also incorporate cybersecurity measures as well.
MSPs provide robust and powerful cybersecurity solutions to protect your critical digital assets from online threats. These measures include firewall management, threat intelligence, data encryption, access control, and more. These strategies help organizations keep their critical resources secure from evolving cyberattacks.
Tips for Choosing the Right MSP for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning
Smart enterprises opt for an MSP for their business continuity and recovery planning in the event of a disaster. Here is what to look for while choosing your managed services.
Assess Your Needs
Assess whether the provider you are selecting is capable of meeting your specific needs. Know which type of data you want to replicate. How frequently do you need to access it?
Check Expertise
Make sure they are equipped with expertise and technology to sustain your operations in the event of disruptions. Your MSP should be capable of recommending the best alternatives and best guidance to ensure your business’s continuity.
Focus on RTO and RPO
A well-managed service provider will integrate Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) in your recovery plan. RTO is basically the maximum downtime that a business can withstand in the event of a disaster. Similarly, RPO is the maximum amount of data that a business can bear to lose before recovery becomes imperative. The best MSP will offer solutions that cater to the challenges of these RTO and RPO scenarios.
Check Availability and Reliability
Also, pay close attention to the availability and reliability of the managed service provider. Make sure they are available 24/7 so they are ready to serve you if a disaster strikes.
Final Words
In such a rapid pace global market, smart enterprises are now expecting the unexpected and implementing the best recovery strategies beforehand. From simple power failures and natural disasters to serious man-made cyberattacks, going for an MSP is the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
Managed services encompass robust disaster recovery strategies, proactive monitoring, regular backups, effective testing as well as cyber security solutions to deal with unforeseen circumstances. So, choose your MSP as per your needs and ensure a strong customer base and a good reputation.
Need a one-stop solution for all your IT needs? Contact us now and get unparalleled managed IT support.
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