Why Data Protection is the Key to Business Continuity Planning

Prioritize Data Protection

When we hear “business continuity,” we automatically think “data protection.” And we’re not the first to make this association. Over the last few years, investment in big data skyrocketed with over 76% of all organizations working it into their plans.

As focus on data intensifies, protecting your organization’s data becomes even more important. \Protecting data is already a difficult process, but if you’re using outdated backup methods the task is downright impossible. Your business will never recovery after an emergency if your data doesn’t recover with it. That’s why your organization must be prepared for any business continuity emergency.

Common Threats to Data

Business continuity threats come in many different forms. From fires to cyber attacks, there’s a wide variety of things that endanger your data. While these threats may never affect your business, it’s important to prepare for them just in case so you are safe afterwards.

1. Cyber Attack

   Did you know that around 85% of business continuity managers fear the possibility of a cyber-attack? Cyber attacks or hacks aren’t always obvious. Attackers know exactly what they want and how your traditional network security fails. They succeed because they are carefully planned, but if you also carefully plan your business continuity efforts you should be safe.

2. Adverse Weather

   According to the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) adverse weather is a concern for over 50% of businesses. In reality, weather impacts every business out there. It influences decisions about staff and customer safety as well as business continuity.

3. Fire

   Fires can happen for a number of reasons at your business. External factors like lightning and even human error can spark a fire. Since fires can completely destroy your hardware, it’s important to back your data up online or on the cloud.

Use Environmental Data to Help You Protect Your Data

Since a few threats are products of nature, you can use environmental data to predict disruptions. Using a weather api can let you know of increased business continuty risks before they present themselves. The ability to track storms and access historical weather data enables business owners to make tough decisions and stay informed. Data is important, so it only makes sense that you can use third-party data to protect your own data. Besides weather, here’s a list of two other APIs your business needs this year.