Is Your Business Tech Hurricane-Proof? Get Ready Before the Next Storm Hits

Living on the East Coast comes with many perks, but it also means being prepared for hurricane season. As we’ve seen with storms like Hurricane Sandy and now Hurricane Helene, natural disasters can strike with little warning, leaving businesses vulnerable to power surges, flooding, and other damage. Hurricane Helene alone left a trail of destruction, forcing many businesses to shut down and struggle to recover.

While some were able to bounce back, others who were unprepared found themselves in difficult situations, facing the loss of valuable data and disruptions to their operations.

As unpredictable as hurricanes are, there are steps you can take to minimize the impact on your business. Here’s a guide to preparing your business technology so that you're ready to face a hurricane and keep your operations running smoothly.

Remote Work: A Lifeline During Hurricanes

COVID-19 pushed many businesses to adopt remote work solutions, and those that transitioned to cloud computing found themselves better prepared for hurricane season. With your data, servers, and applications in the cloud, you minimize your risk. Cloud-based businesses can operate from anywhere with an internet connection, reducing downtime during a storm.

Here’s a quick checklist to make sure your business can operate remotely in the event of a hurricane:

• Email: Is it hosted in the cloud or on-premise?
• Line of business applications: Can they be accessed remotely via cloud or VPN?
• Shared data: Are files stored in the cloud for easy access?
• Team collaboration tools: Do you rely on in-person communication, or do you have systems like Microsoft Teams or VoIP in place?
• Physical servers: How will you access them remotely if needed?
• Redundant internet: Do you have a backup connection ready?
• VPN setup: Are there enough licenses, and can your firewall handle the load of remote connections?

Actionable Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane

When a hurricane is on the horizon, taking proactive steps can help minimize disruptions. Here are some key actions to consider:

1. Develop a disaster recovery plan – Ensure worst-case scenarios are accounted for.
2. Inventory your technology – Keep a record of all your equipment and data.
3. Network documentation – Make sure your IT team has detailed network documentation.
4. Offsite backups – Ensure you have backups stored offsite and test them regularly.
5. Remote work readiness – Identify which parts of your business can operate remotely and practice remote workflows.
6. Staff communication – Make sure everyone knows the procedure if they can’t return to the office for days or weeks.
7. IT response plan – Ensure your IT team is ready to address any post-storm outages or damage.
8. Phone system preparations – Forward phones to mobile numbers or set up software phones to stay connected.
9. Shutdown and protect equipment – Move computers off the ground, unplug machines, and cover electronics with protective materials.

Day-Before Considerations

As the storm approaches, take these final precautions:

• Move equipment off the floor to avoid water damage.
• Unplug computers, printers, and accessories.
• Wrap electronics in dry bags or plastic for added protection.
• Coordinate with your IT team to safely shut down servers.
• Consider having a wireless internet failover in case your primary connection goes down.

Hurricane Helene is a reminder of how quickly things can change, and IT disaster preparation requires careful planning. Ensuring that your business can operate remotely and protect its technology is key to weathering the storm.

If you’re interested in discussing a cloud migration plan to better protect your business, we’d be happy to help. Schedule a time with us today.