Do I need a consultant to write a disaster recovery plan

Brian’s Reno-based landscaping business nearly evaporated last spring. A freak hailstorm – unheard of for the high desert – totaled every company vehicle in a single afternoon. Not the vehicles themselves were the biggest problem, though. It was the data. Customer lists, scheduled appointments, invoicing… everything lived on those laptops. Brian spent weeks recreating lost information, delaying jobs, and fighting to retain client trust. He estimates the downtime cost him over $30,000 in lost revenue and permanently damaged his reputation with several key accounts.

That story isn’t unique. As a cybersecurity and managed IT practitioner with over 16 years of experience helping businesses across Nevada, I see preventable data loss scenarios like Brian’s far too often. And while IT services are crucial, a robust disaster recovery (DR) plan is about business continuity – protecting revenue, reputation, and relationships. It’s a fundamental component of a mature cybersecurity posture. So, let’s address the question of whether you need a consultant to create one.

What Exactly Is a Disaster Recovery Plan?

A disaster recovery plan isn’t just about backups, although those are critical. It’s a documented, step-by-step process outlining how your organization will respond to and recover from any event that disrupts normal business operations. This could include natural disasters (like Brian’s hail storm), cyberattacks (ransomware is a huge threat), hardware failures, or even human error.

• Scope Definition: Identifying critical business functions and the systems that support them.
• Risk Assessment: Determining potential threats and their likelihood of occurring.
• Recovery Strategies: Defining how you’ll restore data, applications, and infrastructure.
• Communication Plan: Establishing how you’ll communicate with employees, customers, and stakeholders.
• Testing & Maintenance: Regularly testing the plan and updating it as your business evolves.

Can You DIY a Disaster Recovery Plan?

Absolutely. Many smaller businesses can create a basic DR plan in-house, especially if they have some internal IT expertise. However, there’s a significant difference between having a plan and having a good plan. A truly effective DR plan requires a deep understanding of IT infrastructure, data management, and business continuity principles. It also demands an objective perspective, free from internal biases or assumptions.

Why Consider a Consultant?

Here’s where a consultant, like my firm, can provide substantial value:

• Expertise and Experience: We’ve developed DR plans for a wide range of businesses, exposing us to various scenarios and best practices.
• Objective Assessment: We can objectively evaluate your IT infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate recovery strategies.
• Comprehensive Planning: We go beyond just technical recovery to address business process continuity, communication, and employee training.
• Regulatory Compliance: We can ensure your DR plan aligns with relevant industry regulations (like those related to data security – see below).
• Time Savings: Developing a DR plan takes time and resources. A consultant can accelerate the process and allow you to focus on running your business.

When is a Consultant Essential?

While a DIY approach might suffice for a very small business with minimal IT complexity, a consultant is essential in these situations:

• Complex IT Infrastructure: If your business relies on multiple servers, cloud services, or specialized applications.
• Critical Data Dependency: If your business is heavily reliant on data for daily operations.
• Regulatory Requirements: If you operate in a regulated industry (healthcare, finance, etc.) with specific DR requirements.
• Limited Internal IT Resources: If your internal IT staff lacks the time or expertise to develop a comprehensive DR plan.

Nevada Legal Considerations

When developing or reviewing a DR plan, especially one involving data, it’s important to understand Nevada’s legal landscape.

IF the roadmap involves collecting consumer data, then you must comply with Nevada SB 220 (NRS 603A.340), which grants consumers the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information, requiring a designated request address.

IF the plan includes data transmission or cybersecurity upgrades, then adherence to NRS 603A.215 is crucial, mandating “reasonable security measures” to protect personal information.

And, should a data breach occur despite your best efforts, NRS 603A.010 et seq. outlines specific notification timelines and requirements.

The Bottom Line

While you can create a disaster recovery plan yourself, a consultant offers expertise, objectivity, and comprehensive planning to ensure your business is truly prepared for the unexpected. Consider your business’s complexity, data dependency, and internal resources to determine whether a consultant is the right fit for you. Don’t wait for a crisis like Brian’s to realize the value of a proactive DR plan.

To explore related concepts and strategies, check out these resources:

• What is IT budgeting and why is it important for my business?
• Can small businesses in Reno benefit from digital transformation?
• What are the costs associated with different cloud platforms?

About Scott Morris and Reno Cyber IT Solutions LLC.

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