Don’t Forget Cybersecurity in Your Emergency Preparedness Plan

NextGen Automation • September 8, 2023

A disaster preparedness plan helps businesses withstand any calamity. However, many businesses are unaware that a cybersecurity strategy is also crucial for building a robust disaster preparedness plan.

 

By incorporating cybersecurity into your emergency preparedness plan, you can better protect your business during critical incidents and minimize the impact of cyberthreats. This will help you enhance your business’s resilience, ensuring you’re better equipped to function in the face of unexpected challenges.

 

Best practices for effective disaster preparedness planning in IT security

 

Here are some practical tips for improving your organization’s disaster preparedness planning:

 

1. Protect your IT infrastructure and data

Your data is a gold mine for cybercriminals, and they'll do anything to get their hands on it. That's why it’s important to strengthen your IT infrastructure to withstand any disaster. Failing to implement adequate measures to protect your data could also attract fines and lawsuits.

 

Pro tip

  • Firewalls, intrusion detection systems and encryptions can strengthen your IT security.
  • Implementing a process to fix and update software patches regularly will help you avoid security vulnerabilities.


2. Back up critical data

Data loss can occur for many reasons, including cyberattacks and natural disasters. If your organization has not correctly backed up its data, recovery can be costly, time-consuming and seemingly impossible. If you want your business to survive, your disaster preparedness plan must ensure that your data remains clean, available and restorable.

 

Pro tip

  • Regularly back up critical data.
  • Back up your data off-site or in the cloud.
  • Test backups regularly to verify their integrity.

 

3. Improve employee awareness

Your employees are your weakest link only if they don't have proper training. By conducting regular security awareness training, you can improve their knowledge. It also increases your employees' ability and willingness to follow security protocols during an emergency.

 

Pro tip

  • Train your employees to identify phishing attempts, report suspicious activities and follow security protocols.
  • Promote a culture of preparedness.
  • Routinely test employee preparedness through simulated scenarios or drills.

 

4. Review insurance policies     

Insurance plays a critical role in promoting disaster resilience. It can help speed up your recovery after an incident. It’s a good idea to have property insurance, business interruption insurance and cybersecurity insurance to cover all bases.

 

Pro tip 

  • Routinely review insurance policies to ensure you have proper coverage for potential risks and disasters.
  • Maintain records of your assets, inventory and financial transactions to facilitate insurance claims and recovery efforts.
  • Take the help of an insurance expert to understand current coverage and determine if additional coverage is required.

 

5. Evaluate vendor and supplier preparedness

Disasters come unannounced and any weak link in your supply chain will only increase your vulnerability. Knowing if your vendor has a disaster preparedness plan is crucial for protecting your customers and overall business operations.

 

Pro tip

  • Ensure your vendors' or suppliers' disaster preparedness practices align with your plans.
  • Ask your vendor to share their disaster communication plan with you.
  • Recommend that your suppliers test their disaster plan at least once a year.
  • Ask them to take the help of an experienced IT service provider if you think their plan is lacking.

 

6. Review and revise your preparedness strategies

It’s essential to test your preparedness plan for weaknesses and shortcomings regularly. By testing, you can fix the gaps and strengthen your strategy. A thoroughly tested plan will protect your data and help you avoid revenue loss during an outage, cyberattack or natural disaster.

 

Pro tip

  • Extensively document changes in the organization, including people, processes and resources.
  • Conduct mock tests to gauge the preparedness of your plan and employees.
  • Take the help of an IT service provider to enhance your plan. They can also carry out timely audits to test the effectiveness of your program.

 

 

We can help you outlast any disaster

It can be challenging to build a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan that is robust and includes a thorough cybersecurity strategy on your own. By partnering with an experienced IT service provider like us, your business can become resilient and outlast any disaster.

 

Contact us today for a free consultation on how we can help you build a solid disaster preparedness plan.

View Cybersecurity Services

Industry News

By NextGen Automation April 16, 2025
NextGen Automation is proud to announce a strategic partnership as the majority shareholder of Innov8 Digital Solutions. This powerful alignment brings together two industry leaders, expanding our technology services, IT expertise, and customer support capabilities across Western Canada.
By NextGen Automation April 15, 2025
Let’s be real—work can be stressful. Whether you’re managing an overflowing inbox, dealing with a never-ending to-do list, or just trying to survive another day of Microsoft Teams meetings , stress finds a way to sneak in. But here’s the good news: April is Stress Awareness Month , which means it’s the perfect time to hit the reset button and create a more balanced, stress-free work environment! From smart office solutions to simple daily habits , we’re sharing some game-changing ways to keep your cool—whether you’re working from home or at the office. Ready? Let’s breathe in… and out… and dive in. 🧘‍♂️ 1. Upgrade Your Office Setup for Maximum Zen You know what’s stressful? A slow computer, a jammed printer, and a cluttered workspace. Let’s fix that. βœ… Invest in an Ergonomic Setup – Your chair shouldn’t feel like medieval torture. A standing desk, ergonomic chair, and proper monitor height can make a world of difference. βœ… Declutter Your Desk – A messy desk = a messy mind. Keep only the essentials and invest in smart storage solutions to keep things tidy. βœ… Upgrade Your Office Tech – If your printer is still stuck in 2010 and your Wi-Fi moves at the speed of a snail, it’s time for an upgrade. NextGen Automation offers top-of-the-line printers, scanners, and IT solutions to keep your workflow smooth (and stress-free!). πŸš€ Pro Tip: Switching to a managed IT service means fewer tech meltdowns. Let us handle the headaches while you focus on what you do best! 2. Use Smart Automation to Reduce Mental Load Your brain is not a filing cabinet. The more tasks you try to juggle, the more stressed you’ll feel. Let’s work smarter, not harder! βœ… Automate Repetitive Tasks – Set up auto-replies, scheduled reports, and automated workflows to save time. βœ… Use Auto-Toner Replenishment – Running out of toner mid-project? Not on our watch. NextGen Automation’s auto-toner replenishment program makes sure you’re always stocked. βœ… Sync Your Calendar with Smart Alerts – No more last-minute meeting surprises. Schedule reminders so you always feel one step ahead. πŸ“Œ Stress-Free Hack: Batch similar tasks together (emails, calls, meetings) to reduce mental fatigue and stay focused! 3. Create a More Relaxing Office Atmosphere Who says offices have to be dull and stressful? Make your workspace a place you actually enjoy being in. βœ… Bring in Greenery – Studies show that plants boost productivity and reduce stress . A little desk plant = instant mood lift! 🌿 βœ… Use Soothing Background Music – Classical? Lo-fi beats? White noise? Find what works for you. (Just maybe skip the death metal during deep focus time. πŸ˜‰) βœ… Try an Air Purifier – A fresh, clean environment helps with focus and well-being. NextGen’s air purifiers keep your workspace fresh and allergy-free! πŸš€ Bonus Tip: Use warm lighting instead of harsh fluorescents to create a more calming workspace! 4. Set Boundaries & Take Mindful Breaks Non-stop work = instant burnout. Give yourself permission to step away! βœ… Use the 20-20-20 Rule – Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain. βœ… Take Real Lunch Breaks – Step away from your desk (yes, really). A short walk or a mindful meal recharges your energy . βœ… Set “Do Not Disturb” Time – Block out focus hours so you can get work done without constant interruptions. πŸ“Œ Self-Care Hack: Use a meditation app like Headspace or Calm for a quick midday mental reset! 🧘‍♀️ 5. Stay Connected & Have Some Fun! Work is better when you actually enjoy the people you work with! βœ… Create a Fun Office Tradition – Weekly trivia, themed dress-up days, or an office pet mascot? Yes, please! βœ… Move More – Sitting all day is a fast track to feeling sluggish. A quick stretch or standing desk session can make a huge difference. βœ… Celebrate Small Wins – Got through a tough project? Finally organized your inbox? Celebrate! Recognition boosts morale and motivation. πŸš€ Team Tip: Try a Friday “Good News” email where everyone shares one win from the week—big or small! Final Thoughts: Work Shouldn’t Feel Like a Pressure Cooker Stress Awareness Month is the perfect time to make small changes that lead to big improvements. From upgrading your workspace to automating tasks and making time for breaks, there are so many ways to reduce stress and bring more balance into your day. And if your office tech is adding to the chaos? We can help. πŸ‘‰ Let’s make your workday easier with smarter office solutions. Check out our latest tech and automation tools today!
Show More