Checklist: Preparing Your ICT Platform for a Natural Disaster
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches the southeast Queensland region, we understand that the uncertainty and disruption caused by extreme weather events can be overwhelming and unsettling.
Your safety is our top priority, and we’re here to help as best as we can.
In this article, we’ll walk through key steps for preparing your IT Platform before, during, and after major weather events like Cyclone Alfred, as well as long-term strategies for future natural disaster preparedness.
While our office will be closed from CoB Wednesday 5th March, our Service Desk phone lines will remain open and operating as usual, unless our team members are affected by power or connection disruptions. You can reach us at 1300 850 172 or via our Support Portal for any urgent IT issues or concerns.
1. Before
Proactive IT Platform Measures
Backup and Secure Critical Equipment
- Take home devices: If you haven’t already, take home all laptops and computers. This ensures your team can stay productive in case your office is closed or inaccessible. For employees who rely on desktop computers, consider arranging for them to use laptops or other mobile devices in the event of office disruptions.
- Shut down on-site devices: If some devices must stay in the office, such as servers or critical workstations, we recommend shutting them down to minimise the risk of electrical damage, especially during power fluctuations or surges.
On-site Server and Equipment Protection
- For those with on-premise servers or ICT equipment, make sure everything is secured and protected. If you’re unsure about how to protect your equipment, reach out to our Service Desk on 1300 850 172 for advice. We can help you with:
- Flood prevention advice: elevating equipment above potential flood levels
- Backup strategies: checking that your data backups are up to date and securely stored offsite or in the cloud
- Test Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units: make sure the UPS is plugged in properly and grounded, check for loose connections, look for warning lights or unusual noises and perform a load test. Note that most UPS batteries last 3 – 5 years. If it’s older consider replacement. If you are unsure, call our Service Desk.
Remote Work Preparations
- Ensure employees can work from home without disruption. Test remote access solutions (VPNs, cloud-based tools, etc.) to ensure connectivity.
2. During
Considerations for Business Continuity
Stay Connected and Monitor the Situation
While our office will be closed from Wednesday 5th March, our Service Desk phone lines will remain open and operating as usual, unless our team members are affected by power or connection disruptions. You can reach us at 1300 850 172 or via our Support Portal for any urgent IT issues or concerns.
Keep your communication lines open with your team, clients, and service providers. If power outages affect your systems or phone lines, alternative communication channels (email, text alerts) should be in place.
3. After
Recovering and Restoring Business Operations
Assess and Restore Critical Systems
Once the storm has passed and it is safe to do so, assess the condition of your office and on-site equipment. If any equipment was damaged or exposed to flooding or power surges, make sure to reach out to our Service Desk for guidance on recovery and restoration.
- Data recovery: If your business relies on on-site servers, ensure your backups are intact. Please get in touch with our team for assistance. If you’ve been using cloud storage, verify that your data is accessible and fully restored.
- Remote access testing: Once employees are safely able to return to work, test remote access solutions to ensure that there are no lingering issues that may have been caused by the storm or disrupted power.
Review Business Continuity Plans
After the immediate crisis has passed, it’s time to evaluate your Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and disaster recovery protocols. Did your current plan work well? Are there gaps that need to be addressed? This is a good time to fine-tune your disaster response to ensure it’s even more resilient for the future.
4. Long-term
Disaster Preparedness
Regular Data Backups and Cloud Adoption
If you haven’t already, consider migrating critical data to the cloud. Cloud backups ensure that, even if your physical location is affected, your data remains safe and accessible. Cloud-based solutions like Office 365, Google Workspace, and AWS provide disaster recovery options with minimal downtime.
Remote Work Capabilities
Ensure all team members have the tools needed for remote work. This includes access to cloud platforms, secure remote connections, and mobile devices. Regularly test these solutions to make sure that in the event of another major weather event, your employees can continue working without disruption.
Emergency Response Training
Train your team on how to react in an emergency. Provide clear instructions on how to access remote systems, how to communicate in the event of an emergency, and what to do if systems or data become compromised.
Invest in Redundancy
Redundant systems, such as secondary internet links, backup power supplies, and cloud-based backup services, are key to minimising downtime. Invest in systems that offer failover capabilities, so your business can continue to operate even if one part of your infrastructure fails.
We're here to help
If you have any concerns regarding your ICT infrastructure, business continuity plans, or need immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Service Desk. We’re here to help.
