Let’s face it—bad stuff happens. Servers crash, hackers break in, and sometimes Mother Nature decides your office building doesn't need power for three days. That’s where a disaster recovery plan (or DRP) comes in.
It’s not glamorous, but it might be the one thing standing between your business and a total meltdown.
So, what exactly is a disaster recovery plan? How does it help, and what should be in it? We’ll explain it in plain English; yes, there will be zero tech jargon overload.
Why You Should Care About a Disaster Recovery Plan
The Real Cost of Downtime
The costs can stack up quickly if your business goes offline, even for a few hours. According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach hit $4.45 million in 2023.
And Gartner reports that IT downtime can cost as much as $5,600 per minute. No, that’s not a typo.
And yet, many small and mid-size businesses still treat disaster recovery like a “someday” project.
But when “someday” turns into “today,” and there’s no plan? You’re not just losing money—you’re losing trust, customers, and your business.
Cyberattacks, Floods, and Power Failures—Oh My!
The threats are real, whether it’s ransomware or a rogue storm knocking out your power grid. And unfortunately, they’re getting more common.
According to Statista, cyberattacks surged by over 38% in 2022 alone.
Without a DRP in place, your business is flying blind when chaos hits. It's like trying to fix a leaking boat in the middle of a hurricane—with duct tape.
What Is a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP), Really?
A disaster recovery plan is a step-by-step strategy for helping your business bounce back after a tech or data-related disaster. Think of it like a fire drill—but for your IT systems, apps, and files.
It’s designed to help you:
- Protect your data
- Recover systems quickly
- Communicate clearly during chaos
- Get back to business fast
What It Covers
Your DRP should answer questions like:
- Where is our data backed up?
- Who's in charge if the network goes down?
- How fast can we restore our systems?
- What do we tell our customers and vendors?
Key elements include:
- Data backup and recovery processes
- Roles and responsibilities
- Recovery Time Objective (RTO) – How fast you need to recover
- Recovery Point Objective (RPO) – How much data loss is acceptable
What’s the Difference Between Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity?
Disaster Recovery Is a Subset
Let’s clear up a common mix-up: disaster recovery focuses on IT systems—getting servers, data, and apps back online.
On the other hand, business continuity covers everything you need to stay operational. That includes your people, your physical locations, your communication plans, and even how to keep payroll running.
Related Article: How Can Managed IT Services Protect Me From Data Breaches?
Why Both Matter
Think of it this way: DR is the ambulance. Business continuity is the hospital.
Both need to work together for a full recovery. You can have the best disaster recovery plan in the world, but you're still in trouble if your employees don’t know where to go or how to keep serving clients during the downtime.
5 Must-Have Elements in Your Disaster Recovery Plan
1. Risk Assessment and Impact Analysis
What could realistically go wrong? (Spoiler: More than you think.) A good DRP starts by mapping out the risks and identifying what’s critical to keep your business afloat.
2. Backup Strategy (On-site and Off-site)
Redundant backups = peace of mind. Your DRP should include multiple backup locations, whether in the cloud, external drives, or off-site servers.
3. Clear Roles and Escalation Procedures
When disaster strikes, there’s no time for “Who’s handling this?” Everyone should know their role—from IT to communications to leadership.
4. Vendor and Partner Communication Plans
Do you rely on third-party vendors? You’ll need to coordinate with them during a recovery. Make sure you have up-to-date contact info and clear expectations.
5. Regular Testing and Simulations
A plan that isn’t tested is just a pretty document. Simulate outages and walk your team through the process at least twice a year..png?width=467&height=695&name=infograp-img%20(1).png)
Common Mistakes Businesses Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Mistake #1: “We Use the Cloud, So We’re Good.”
Cloud doesn’t mean bulletproof. If your cloud provider goes down or your credentials get hacked, you're still in hot water.
Mistake #2: No One’s Actually Tested the Plan
The time to find out your recovery plan doesn’t work is not during a crisis. Testing helps you spot weak spots before they become big problems.
Mistake #3: It’s Treated Like a One-and-Done Checklist
DRPs are living documents. Your systems and staff change. Keep your plan updated every 6–12 months.
How to Build (or Fix) Your Disaster Recovery Plan in 7 Steps
- Inventory your IT assets – Know what hardware and software you depend on.
- Set your RTO and RPO – Determine your downtime and data loss tolerance.
- Choose your backup tools – Not sure where to start? Here’s AIS’s guide to backup strategies.
- Map out your communication plan – Know how to reach staff, clients, and vendors.
- Document your procedures – Use clear, simple steps anyone can follow.
- Test your plan – Run tabletop exercises and live tests.
- Train your team – Make sure everyone knows the basics and their role.
Tools That Make It Easier (Even If You’re Not a Tech Wizard)
There are plenty of tools that can help simplify disaster recovery, including:
- Veeam Backup & Replication
- Acronis Cyber Protect
- Datto
- Microsoft Azure Site Recovery
- Zerto (for DRaaS)
Final Thoughts: Start Small, But Start Now
The idea of disaster recovery might sound overwhelming. But here’s the truth: even a basic disaster recovery plan is better than none.
So go ahead, block off an hour, gather your team, and start answering the big “what ifs.” When the unexpected hits—and it will—your future self (and your business) will be glad you did.
To learn more about a disaster recovery plan, reach out to us today!
