June 9, 2023 | By christa

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Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning for Manufacturers

• Cybersecurity

In 2020, over 700,000 businesses in the U.S. were forced to close their doors temporarily due to the pandemic. It just goes to show that when it comes to disaster recovery planning, you really have to “expect the unexpected.”

As a manufacturing company, threats ranging from cybercrime, data loss, loss of utilities, outbreaks that cause employees to be unable to work, and environmental hazards can happen at any moment. That’s why every manufacturing organization should have a plan for when things don’t go according to plan, which is where business continuity and disaster recovery planning come in. Unfortunately, however, one in five SMB executives say they don’t have a business continuity and disaster recovery plan in place.

In this article, we will discuss how to ensure that if something unexpected happens — like a natural disaster, power outage, or any other type of disruption — you can keep your business going strong.

Best Practices 

Let’s face it; no plan is perfect. Even if you spend countless hours creating a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, you might miss a few risks here and there. But your business will still be less at risk than a business with zero plans in place. As a manufacturing company, it’s important to remember some basic guidelines when building a resiliency framework:

Assess Risks, Then Develop Plans

From natural disasters to man-made events, it’s important to think about everything that could go wrong. Consider the likelihood of each risk occurring and how much time you have to prepare for them.

Once you’ve figured that out, prioritize each risk based on how important it is to your company. Which ones are most likely to cause trouble? Which ones would cause the most damage? Finally, make sure to develop individual plans for dealing with each risk so that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Test Your Plan 

Don’t wait for an emergency to test your plan! Regular testing and training sessions are essential to making sure your plan is effective, and your employees are prepared. Test your plan at least once a year, and make sure to test each component separately as well as together.

It’s also important to train all employees, no matter where they work, to know what to do in case of an emergency, whether in the office or at home. Being prepared is critical to ensuring your business is ready to handle anything that comes its way.

Leverage Technology

Using technology, manufacturers can quickly detect issues and respond before they become major problems. Here are a few ways to implement technology into your business continuity and disaster recovery plan:

• Backups: It’s important to have a secure, reliable solution in place to ensure that your data remains protected in the event of an emergency or disaster.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): By analyzing data from multiple sources in real time, AI can identify potential disruptions before they occur and provide early warning alerts to stakeholders. AI can also help with predictive maintenance, allowing manufacturers to identify and address potential issues with equipment before they lead to downtime or failure.
• Cybersecurity: A solid cybersecurity plan can protect against malware, ransomware attacks, and data breaches, which could disrupt operations if left unchecked.
• Remote monitoring: Remote monitoring systems are designed to provide real-time information about your facility’s equipment and processes, allowing you to identify issues before they cause problems.

Be Prepared For The Unexpected

In the world of manufacturing, business continuity and disaster recovery planning is an absolute necessity. When emergencies strike, having a plan in place can mean the difference between weathering the storm and going under. So, don’t wait until it’s too late! Start planning today and be prepared for whatever the future holds. If you need a hand with your business continuity and disaster recovery planning efforts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

LeadingIT offers 24/7, all-inclusive, fast and friendly technology and cybersecurity support for nonprofits, manufacturers, schools, accounting firms, religious organizations, government, and law offices with 20-200 employees across the Chicagoland area