Unexpected disruptions can have a devastating impact on your business, no matter your organization’s size or industry. This is why it’s critical to develop a business continuity plan (BCP) and create reliable systems that can keep operations running smoothly in the face of challenges such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or unforeseen events.
Here are a few real-life cases where things went south and BCPs proved to be vital.
New Jersey county police department survives a ransomware attack
In mid-March 2023, a ransomware attack hit the Camden County Police Department. This resulted in important criminal investigative files and internal administration capabilities being locked, affecting the daily operations of several county police departments and delaying their investigations.
Although the attack did not afect the 911 call systems or other public safety responses, sources say that hackers demanded hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange for decrypting the locked files. The department did not pay the ransom; instead, it worked with information technology and law enforcement professionals to restore the encrypted data. As of writing, the department is already operational, with 80–85% of all files accessible.
If the Camden County Police Department didn’t have a solid BCP, which included having complete, recent, and accurate backups, it might have faced longer downtime and suffered significant financial losses and reputational damage. But because it had a plan for when breaches happen, it was able to mitigate the attack’s impact and resume operations quickly.
Marketing firm keeps head above water during Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey (2017) was one of the most devastating hurricanes in US history, and a lot of businesses weren’t prepared for its wrath. Fortunately for internet marketing firm Gaille Media, it had the bulk of its data in the cloud so its operations were hardly affected. Because the firm leveraged cloud solutions for business continuity, it faced minimal interruption while other companies were scrambling to save their files.
And while the flooding was so severe that the company couldn’t use its office for three months and the mold made it impossible to recover the space, Gaille’s employees were able to work remotely during and after the storm. They also never lost access to critical documents, files, and records.
Future-proof companies remain healthy despite the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted businesses globally and made having an effective BCP critical for organizations across industries. Companies that had planned for remote work, cloud-based operations, and flexible supply chains were better equipped to continue their operations during lockdowns. Those that didn't had to quickly make changes to ensure continued operations.
One prime example of a company that survived the pandemic because of its BCP is Microsoft. Microsoft’s video conferencing platform, Teams, experienced increased demand as remote work became the norm. To help ensure that the platform remained available and reliable despite the surge in usage, the company implemented its BCP, which included measures such as data redundancy, load balancing, and disaster recovery planning.
The company also quickly adapted its services to meet customers’ changing needs, such as introducing new features for virtual events and webinars. As a result, Microsoft’s revenue increased significantly during the pandemic, establishing itself as a leader in the video conferencing market.
Shipping company works around supply chain disruption
In 2021, the Suez Canal blockage caused significant disruptions to global trade and supply chains. However, organizations with diversified supply chains and contingency plans were able to overcome this challenge and continue their operations with minimal downtime.
For instance, Danish shipping company Maersk implemented a BCP that allowed them to identify alternative transportation routes and suppliers, reroute shipments, and adjust their production schedules to minimize the impact of the disruption. This enabled them to prevent delays or shortages that could have had serious consequences for their customers and their bottom line.
Business continuity strategies are critical for organizations in today's uncertain business environment. By creating an effective BCP, your business can weather any catastrophe and continue your operations.
Online Computers can help you develop a robust BCP to protect your data and minimize the impact of any disruption. Schedule a consultation today and learn how we can help you prepare for the unexpected.
