Contingency Planning

Study: Small, Mid-Sized Businesses Unprepared For Data Continuity

June 15, 2009

According to a recent survey, small and mid-sized businesses are woefully unprepared for disasters and misled by existing data backup plans.

The 2009 Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Survey was conducted by Agility Recovery Solutions and Hughes Marketing Group. More than 700 business owners and executives throughout North America participated. Among the highlights:

94 percent of companies have formal data backup plans.

While 75 percent of companies say they can have their employees back to work within days of a disaster, only:

• 28 percent have access to alternative office space.
• 41 percent have access to mobile office space.
• 54 percent could acquire temporary office equipment.
• 57 percent have access to power generators.

90 percent of smaller companies (less than100 employees) surveyed spend less than one day per month maintaining their continuity plans.

One in five (22 percent) spend no time maintaining their plans.

Comparatively, 20 percent of larger companies (more than 100 employees) spend more than 10 days per month on their continuity plans.

Gaining C-level buy-in is a challenge. Regardless of business size, survey results show many companies have difficulties getting C-level executives to embrace the importance of continuity planning.

Although 67 percent of respondents feel an effective business continuity plan is paramount to company success, only 53 percent think their company’s management team feels the same way.

“A data backup plan is not the same as a disaster recovery plan,” said Bob Boyd, chief executive of Agility Recovery. “The best data in the world is useless if you can’t make use of it. Businesses must take measures to ensure employees can return to work immediately after a disaster. Without alternate plans, you’re business will pay the ultimate price.”